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Kimita Onsen is the only hot spring resort in Miyoshi, and its glowing reputation makes it both beloved by the local community, and popular with travelers as well. When an early iteration of this onsen retreat opened in the late 90s, they were aiming for 300 visitors a day, and were shocked to find five times that number of guests arriving each day to soak in the baths. With the enthusiastic support of Kimita Onsen’s many fans, and the practical effort of quite a few locals, Kimita Onsen Mori no Yu has become a well-established onsen with luxurious baths, and plenty of guest rooms for those who want to stay the night.

Guest rooms are split into two varieties: traditional Japanese rooms, with tatami mats underfoot and Japanese futon mattresses tucked away until bedtime, but also bright, airy Western-style rooms, with high desks and standard beds. Natural wood tones are a common motif all around the hotel, and are meant to reflect the beauty of the Miyoshi forest, located just steps away from the facility. Not long after this onsen resort became established, Japan experienced a boom in public baths, giving locals other options when it came to bathhouses. But Kimita Onsen’s popularity never waned, not only because the water bubbles up from all-natural local hot springs, but also because of the natural beauty seen out of every window.

Summer fireflies and sunflower fields, colorful mosaics of autumn leaves, and a light dusting of white snow each winter, every season is uniquely enchanting at Kimita Onsen, both in and out of the steaming hot spring water! Many families enjoy the opportunity to hike during the day and then soak at night, while other visitors just luxuriate in the different baths and cozy seating areas.

Overnight guests can opt in to room plans with meals, but plenty of bathers will stop into the restaurant for lunch during a day trip, as well. The dishes are made with fresh local ingredients, like seasonal vegetables transformed into crisp tempura, or grilled yamame trout with a sprinkling of salt.

Of course, the baths are the star of the show at Kimita Onsen. The spring water is naturally rich with hydrogen carbonate, which softens the skin and gently removes dead skin cells and dirt, and it leaves bathers with clean, glowing skin after each relaxing soak. The collection of baths inside and out in the open air are enough to draw any hot spring lover, making Kimita Onsen an obvious choice of accommodations for travelers who appreciate a good bath.