Overview
Ureshino Onsen has a long history, with its name appearing in the 'Hizen Fudoki,' an 8th-century record. According to legend, Empress Jingu discovered the spring on her way back from a campaign when she saw a white crane healing its wounds in the river. She used the water to refresh her tired soldiers, and her joyful exclamation, 'Ana, ureshii no' (Oh, I am happy), is said to be the origin of the name 'Ureshino'.
During the Edo period, it flourished as a post town on the Nagasaki Kaido highway, offering rest and rejuvenation to countless travelers. The German physician Siebold also visited and documented the high quality of its waters. Today, it is recognized as one of Japan's 'Three Great Hot Springs for Beautiful Skin,' alongside Hino-ue Onsen in Shimane and Kitsuregawa Onsen in Tochigi, beloved for its silky smooth water.
Primary Spring Quality and Indications
The main spring quality at Ureshino Onsen is Sodium Bicarbonate Saline Spring. Rich in sodium, this alkaline water softens the skin's keratin layer and emulsifies oils and secretions, leaving the skin feeling incredibly smooth after bathing. This 'beautiful skin effect' is the most defining characteristic of Ureshino Onsen.
- Cuts
- Sensitivity to cold
- Dry skin
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Water Characteristics and Best Season
The source temperature is very high, ranging from 85-95°C (185-203°F). The water is clear, tasteless, and odorless. Its most notable feature is its unique, thick, almost serum-like texture that feels slick on the skin. The spring is abundant, and many inns offer kakenagashi (free-flowing) baths. The water is also potable and is said to aid digestion and liver function.
Ureshino Onsen can be enjoyed year-round, but spring (April-May), with the fragrance of new tea leaves, and autumn (around November), with its beautiful foliage, are particularly recommended. In winter, the Ureshino Attaka Matsuri (Warm Festival) illuminates the town with the gentle glow of lanterns.
Access
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Nearby Sightseeing and Local Gourmet
- Onsen Yudofu: A local specialty where tofu is simmered in hot spring water, making it melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Ureshino Tea: A fragrant green tea that has won numerous top awards at national competitions.
- Toyotama-hime Shrine: A shrine dedicated to the goddess of beautiful skin, famous for its white catfish statue.
- Todoroki-no-taki Falls: A scenic, three-tiered waterfall with a height of 11 meters.
- Hizen Yoshida-yaki Pottery: Porcelain with over 400 years of history. You can visit various kilns.
- Siebold's Footbath: A public footbath that anyone can use for free.
- Hizen Yumekaido: A ninja theme park that recreates a town from the early Edo period.
References
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