Not Just Hot Springs! 5 Recommended Tourist Spots Around Yamagata Yunohama Onsen

Yunohama Onsen is a seaside hot spring resort located in the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. It is easily accessible, about 25 minutes by car from the castle town of Tsuruoka's city center. Yunohama Onsen is also known for its beautiful sunsets, and it's recommended to relax in the hot springs while enjoying the view. The spring quality is sodium-calcium sulfate, and the salty hot water warms both your body and mind, relieving daily fatigue. The hot spring area is well-equipped with public baths, foot baths, and drinking fountains, and there are various types of accommodations available, from modern hotels to traditional Japanese inns. Let me introduce some of the recommended tourist spots around Yunohama Onsen, a place full of things to see.

1. Kamo Aquarium

One of the must-visit spots when touring Yunohama Onsen is Kamo Aquarium. It has recently reopened after renovation, making it a more accessible and user-friendly aquarium. It is always bustling with tourists from both inside and outside the prefecture. This aquarium boasts the world's largest collection of jellyfish displays and is internationally renowned for its jellyfish exhibits.

For those who have never seen jellyfish, the sight of these creatures gracefully floating might provide a soothing experience. The interior is dimly lit, with small lights in the tanks, creating an excellent atmosphere. The glowing jellyfish are especially enchanting and mesmerizing. Even if you’re just visiting Yunohama Onsen for a day trip, a visit to Kamo Aquarium will surely leave you with wonderful memories of your sightseeing.

2. Yunohama Shitaku Community Bathhouse

While Yunohama is famous for its hot springs, many people prefer staying overnight to fully enjoy the sights. However, for those who can only visit for the day, there's a great option for you. Yunohama Onsen has the Yunohama Shitaku Community Bathhouse, where you can enjoy a source spring bath for just 300 yen. The water is salty and hot, characteristic of sodium-calcium-chloride springs.

There is also a barrier-free drinking fountain and foot baths, so even those with limited time or who aren’t fond of hot water can still enjoy a relaxing sightseeing experience. It is located in the center of Yunohama Onsen, at the rotary intersection, and inside the Yunohama Community Center "Cospa," making it easy for tourists from outside the prefecture to find.

3. Takadate Mountain

Takadate Mountain is located about 2 kilometers west of Oyamacho in Tsuruoka City. With an elevation of just 274 meters, it is a small mountain, but it features abundant vegetation such as beech and horse chestnut trees. It is also part of the Shonai Seaside Prefectural Natural Park, which includes the Upper and Lower Lakes at its foot and rich plant life. During the Warring States period, the Oyamadera family also had their castle here.

Though not widely known among tourists visiting Yunohama Onsen, the mountain has been designated as a Natural Rest Forest by the Forestry Agency and is also selected as one of the "Top 100 Forest Bathing Forests."
At the summit, there is an observation deck where you can enjoy views of Yunohama Onsen, the rural landscapes of the Shonai Plain, as well as the nearby Kamo Port, Mount Chokai, and Mount Gassan. It's a popular spot for tourists who enjoy forest bathing. There are walking paths and hiking courses, so after a good hike, you can continue your sightseeing in Yunohama Onsen!

4. Former Kazama Family Residence Heishindo

The Former Kazama Family Residence Heishindo, located about 30 minutes by car from Yunohama Onsen, is a historic building that has reached its 120th anniversary. With a site area of 800 tsubo (approximately 2,645 square meters), a building area of 380 tsubo (approximately 1,255 square meters), 3 warehouses, and 19 rooms, it is a vast and valuable historical heritage designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

One of the highlights of the Former Kazama Family Residence Heishindo is its stone roof, which contains about 40,000 stones. Although this type of roof was common in the Meiji era, it has now become a rare and precious feature.
It is a popular spot for tourists visiting Yunohama Onsen. The garden is well-maintained and has been used for period drama filming. With guided tours, visitors who are unfamiliar with the site can feel at ease. It's a great place to learn about the history of this magnificent building and then relax and reflect while at Yunohama Onsen.

5. Shonai Obako no Sato Komagi

Shonai Obako no Sato Komagi is a large-scale tourist facility that offers direct sales, local products, dining, and hot springs. It is especially convenient for tourists driving to Yunohama Onsen or Tsuruoka. The facility sells seasonal ingredients, including the local Shonai specialty, the Sangen pork, rice, Dadacha beans, and Shonai persimmons. There are also buffets featuring locally produced ingredients, perfect for a meal before heading to Yunohama Onsen. With everything available, it’s a place where you can spend the whole day without getting bored.

As Yamagata Prefecture has hot springs in all its municipalities, there are natural hot springs here as well. You can enjoy various types of baths, such as sleeping baths, standing baths, and sitting baths. Don’t miss the Beitou Stone hot spring, which can only be found in two places in the world: one in Akita's Tamagawa Onsen and the other here in Taiwan. After enjoying the hot spring at Komagi, you can continue sightseeing in Yunohama and spend a luxurious evening soaking in the hot springs.

◎ Summary

Yunohama Onsen is considered one of the three main hot spring areas of the Ou Mountains. Not only can you enjoy hot springs, but you can also experience forest bathing, beach activities, and marine sports, making it an excellent destination to enjoy the Sea of Japan. There are many other tourist spots around Yunohama Onsen that will make you want to visit more than once. Modern hotels and ryokan inns line the area, offering magnificent sunset views and outdoor baths, along with plenty of delicious local specialties. Yunohama Onsen is truly a place you'll want to visit over and over again.

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Not Just Hot Springs! 5 Recommended Tourist Spots Around Yamagata Yunohama Onsen