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Hotel Introduction:
Yuyado Joukiya is a hot spring inn located in Obama Onsen, Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It offers a unique self-cooking experience using the steam from the hot spring, with a “steaming pot” method. Guests can enjoy cooking local fish and vegetables in the steam from the hot spring, providing a distinct culinary experience.
The inn features a large public bath, private baths, and a special “hot spring steam bath,” offering a variety of ways to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs. With a total of 16 rooms (15 Japanese-style and 1 Western-style), all rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi. This is a unique destination where guests can experience both the hot springs and culinary delights.
Exterior & Entrance:
The exterior of the inn is designed with traditional Japanese architecture, using wood to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. A large curtain (noren) hangs at the entrance to welcome guests.
The lobby lounge is a tranquil space with tatami mats and table seating, offering a relaxing environment where guests can enjoy their time, listening to music and flipping through magazines. It’s a comfortable space for guests to unwind.
Guest Rooms
The guest rooms are located on the second floor. The “Take” room is a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, where guests can relax in a calm atmosphere and enjoy the warmth of the tatami.
The futons are set up by the guests themselves, allowing them to enjoy their stay at their own pace. It’s a traditional Japanese room where guests can unwind after enjoying the hot springs.
Services & Amenities
Natural Hot Spring Public Bath
Yuyado Joukiya offers the famous Obama Onsen, with a source temperature of 105°C. The sodium chloride spring is effective for improving poor circulation, fatigue recovery, and promoting beautiful skin. The public bath is spacious, allowing guests to warm their bodies thoroughly. Additionally, there is a “hot spring steam bath” where the temperature is milder than a regular sauna, offering a gentler, more relaxing experience.
Guests who prefer a private bathing experience can also enjoy a family bath. Day-use visitors are also welcome to enjoy the hot springs, making it a convenient and accessible option.
Aged Black Eggs
A signature item at Yuyado Joukiya is the “Aged Black Eggs,” which are steamed using the hot spring’s steam. These eggs have a rich, creamy yolk and a unique, savory flavor. They make a great snack or gift and can be enjoyed while relaxing after a bath.
Hell Steaming Experience
Guests can enjoy a unique “Hell Steaming Experience” where they can use the steam pots to cook their own ingredients, brought in from local markets. It’s a fun and interactive cooking method, with all the necessary utensils and equipment provided.
Live Kitchen
The live kitchen provides the perfect setting for guests to bring in ingredients and cook them using the hot spring steam. It’s a simple yet delightful way to experience cooking with the natural power of the hot spring.
Wine Cellar
The inn is equipped with a wine cellar, allowing guests to bring in their favorite wines and enjoy them along with their meals. This adds an extra layer of indulgence to the stay.
Breakfast Experience
There is no formal breakfast provided at the inn, but guests are encouraged to use the steam pots to create their own breakfast. A recommended activity is to visit a nearby fish market early in the morning and purchase fresh ingredients. The market will clean and prepare the fish, making it easy for guests to return to the inn and steam their ingredients in the hot spring steam. The result is a delicious, simple breakfast where the natural flavors of the ingredients are enhanced by the unique cooking method.
Stay Review
My stay at Yuyado Joukiya was a unique experience that combined the pleasures of both hot springs and food. The Hell Steaming Experience was particularly interesting, where I was able to cook fresh ingredients using the hot spring steam. The simplicity of the process and the richness of the flavors were truly impressive.
The public bath and the hot spring steam bath offered a wonderfully relaxing experience, and the wine cellar allowed me to enjoy my meals with some excellent wines. The futon set-up was self-service, which gave me the flexibility to enjoy the space at my own pace.
While breakfast isn’t served formally, the joy of preparing my own “Hell Steamed” breakfast using fresh ingredients was a memorable part of my stay.
This inn is perfect for anyone looking for a special, relaxing getaway where you can enjoy both nature and food in a truly unique way.
