If you are seeking a truly authentic Japanese hot spring experience, Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu (早戸温泉つるの湯) in Mishima Town is a legendary sanctuary for both the body and soul. The charming ryokan combines traditional healing with some of Japan’s most stunning river views. Famous for its “Gensen Kake-nagashi” (100% free-flowing) medicinal waters discovered over a millennium ago, the facility is proud of the hot spring’s ability to heal injuries and smooth the skin. Overlooking the emerald waters of the Tadami River, the ryokan offers a peaceful atmosphere where guests can disconnect from the world and immerse themselves in the healing traditions of rural Fukushima.
What You Need to Know About Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu: The Best Onsen for Tadami Line Photographers
- About Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
- Getting to Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu and Checking in
- Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu's Onsen Facility
- Cooking Your Meal at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
- Vegetarian Survival Guide: Stocking Up for Your Stay
- Our Room at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
- How to Book Your Stay at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
- How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
- Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu: Day-Trip vs. Overnight Stay
- Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu FAQ
- Discover the Stunning Scenery Along the Tadami Line
About Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
Tsuru no Yu’s spring source is said to have been discovered over 1,200 years ago by a farmer. He started using the hot spring for medical purposes after seeing a crane’s injured foot recover after bathing in the onsen. The hot spring here is effective for neuralgia, trauma, bruises, fractures, and more.
The onsen is also suitable for drinking!
Tip: The cup above the spout is for drinking onsen.
Getting to Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu and Checking in
As indicated by the sign in the photo in the Instagram post, Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu is located within a 10-minute walk from the scenic Tadami Line‘s Hayato Station (早戸駅). To get from Hayato Station to Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu, you will need to walk through the Hayato Onsen Tunnel in the 2nd and 3rd photos in the Instagram post. I’d really wish that wasn’t the case, as the echo of the traffic is extra loud and the air inside the tunnel is so polluted.
It took us a while to find the ryokan’s entrance after coming out of the tunnel. None of the houses near the large Tsuru no Yu signboard were the actual ryokan buildings. You have to walk further down the road to find the ryokan car park in the photo.
The house at the other side of the car park is the entrance to the public bath. Whether you are a ryokan guest or not, take the elevator down to the reception. You can then either pay to enjoy the onsen or complete the check-in process.
The wooden passageway in the photo leads to the back door of Tsuru no Yu’s accommodation facility. The front door is on the other side of the building. Fortunately, another ryokan guest guided us to the reception at the accommodation building. Otherwise, we would be so lost (´▽｀*).
Tip: Do yourself a favor and utilize the ryokan’s free pick-up and drop-off service. A reservation is required. You can email [email protected] to make a reservation.
Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu’s Onsen Facility
Whether you are a ryokan guest or not, you can utilize Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu’s main onsen facility. If you are a day visitor, purchase a ticket from the vending machine by the entrance. Ryokan guests can enjoy the public onsen for free during their stay.
While the outdoor bath can only accommodate about 5 to 6 people, it is the best onsen pool at Tsuru no Yu. Because the magnificent view of the Tadami River will be in front of you!
After bathing, you can relax in the spacious tatami-mat-covered resting area (2nd photo in the IG post) with a drink and/or snacks from the vending machine or the shop’s fridge. There was also locally baked bread on sale when we were there! If you don’t want to pay for drinks, utilize the tea and hot water dispenser (4th photo in the IG post).
Before leaving, remember to get a cup of onsen from the onsen fountain opposite the elevator. It is good for chronic constipation. The recommended onsen intake is approximately 200 ml at a time, up to 5 times a day. Feel free to use the paper cups at the fountain.
Does it taste good? I wouldn’t mind drinking it every day. The slightly salty mineral-rich spring can make a good soup base!
Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu’s Business Hours and Admission Fee
- Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu’s public onsen facility is open from 10 am to 8 pm.
- The last admission is at 7:30 pm.
- The admission fee is
- 700 yen for adults for 3 hours
- 400 yen for children for 3 hours
- The cost doubles if you want to enjoy the onsen for more than 3 hours at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu.
- The admission fee is reduced by 200 yen (100 yen for children) if you enter after 5 pm.
- Ryokan guests can use the facility free of charge from 12 pm on the day of check-in until 12 pm on the day of check-out.
- Yukata/pyjama is rentable for 300 yen.
Tip: Show THIS COUPON to get 100 yen off for the 3-hour admission ticket.
The Indoor Bath for Ryokan Guests
If you are a ryokan guest, you can use the indoor onsen facility from 5 am to 10 pm. Although it is much smaller compared to the main onsen facility next door, at least you can still indulge in the hot spring after hours.
During our stay, there weren’t many people using the indoor bath at night (so we had the chance to take photos of the facility when no one was around). But in the morning, people were bathing even before 6 am!
The indoor bath is located on the ground floor opposite the accommodation building’s reception. If your room is on the second floor, the entrance is next to the elevator.
Cooking Your Meal at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
The accommodation facility at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu (Tōjidō, 湯治棟) was renovated in 2018. So, the guest rooms and facilities have been upgraded, ensuring a more pleasant stay.
Because Tsuru no Yu has been a facility using onsen for medical treatment, most ryokan guests would spend at least a couple of nights here. So, a communal kitchen is part of the facility for guests to use. There are several rice cookers, cooktops, and sinks to accommodate multiple guests. Different types of cooking utensils can also be found on the shelf on the far end (see the 2nd photo in the IG post).
The most surprising appliance in Tsuru no Yu’s kitchen is the white refrigerator in the far end of the photo. They look like lockers in Japan’s train station! Each room has its own designated fridge and is lockable to prevent others from taking your food by accident!
Instead of bringing your food back to your room, you can also enjoy your cooking at the dining table outside of the communal kitchen (see the last photo).
- If you book one of the rooms that comes with a kitchenette, your fridge is in your room, not in the communal kitchen.
- The seasoning provided in the kitchen is limited.
- The ryokan has a restaurant. But the only vegetarian dish offered there is plum rice balls.
Vegetarian Survival Guide: Stocking Up for Your Stay
Because Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu is located in a rural part of Oku-Aizu, there are no supermarkets or convenience stores within walking distance of Hayato Station. If you are staying in the Tōjidō (self-catering building), we highly recommend buying your groceries before boarding the Tadami Line. While mobile shops from the town’s convenience stores would come to the ryokan almost every day, you don’t want your schedule tied down to food supply. Plus, the mobile shop may not come if unforeseen circumstances arise.
- Best Stop for Groceries: Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
- Before you start your journey on the Tadami Line, head to York-Benimaru or HILL’s MARKET near Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.
- What to buy: These stores stock fresh local produce, tofu, rice, and soy milk. While specialty “vegan” products (like vegan cheese) are rare in rural Fukushima, you can easily find seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, and miso to cook in the ryokan’s communal kitchen.
- Seasonings: The communal kitchen provides limited seasonings. I recommend bringing small travel-sized bottles of soy sauce, salt, oil, or nutritional yeast.
- The Fridge Situation: Remember, each guest room has a lockable refrigerator in the kitchen area, so you don’t have to worry about other guests moving your specialty vegetarian ingredients!
Our Room at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
We booked the biggest guestroom at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu. Interestingly, the room with the small kitchenette is only 220 yen per person more than the other rooms. So, we got to enjoy this super spacious room without forking out too much!
The small kitchenette has almost everything you need to cook a delicious meal. There is even a rice cooker! If you need to use the microwave, you can use the ones in the communal kitchen.
As a healing facility, we had to make our beds. That said, all we needed to do was put on the pillowcase and lay the bed sheet.
Like other traditional inns, there was a tea utensil set on the low table with snacks and tea leaves included. While we didn’t use it, having a cup of tea after dinner is another way to relax and rejuvenate!
How to Book Your Stay at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
- Online Form: The easiest way for English speakers is to use the official website’s inquiry form. The owner speaks English and can handle international requests.
- By Email/Phone: You can contact them directly to inquire about availability in the Tōjidō (the renovated self-catering wing).
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +81 241-52-3324
- Shuttle Service: If you are an overnight guest, remember to mention your train arrival time at JR Hayato Station in your booking request to arrange a free pick-up.
How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu
- The cost is 6,640 yen per person, Monday through Thursday and Sunday.
- On Friday and Saturday, and during peak season, the cost is 7,190 yen per person.
- If you are a solo traveler, it will cost you an additional 550 yen.
Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu: Day-Trip vs. Overnight Stay
| Feature | Day-Trip Visitor | Overnight Guest (Ryokan/Tōjidō) |
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last entry 7:30 PM) | Check-in: 3:00 PM / Check-out: 10:00 AM |
| Access to Baths | Indoor & Outdoor (Rotenburo) river-view baths | Almost 24-hour access to the hot springs |
| Dining Options | On-site restaurant (Limited vegetarian options) | Communal Kitchen for self-catering |
| Food Storage | N/A | Private, lockable refrigerator per room |
| Transportation | 10-minute walk from JR Hayato Station | Free shuttle service (requires advance booking) |
| Amenities | Towel rental available for a small fee | Yukata (available for 300 yen) and bedding provided |
| Best For | Quick relaxation after a Tadami River boat ride | Photographers & hikers needing a home base |
Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu FAQ
Is Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu tattoo-friendly?
No. We have confirmed with Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu that you can’t bathe there if you have tattoos.
How do I get to the onsen from Tokyo?
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station. From there, transfer to the JR Tadami Line (often via Aizu-Wakamatsu). Disembark at JR Hayato Station. The ryokan is a scenic 10-minute walk from the station.
What is the best time of year to visit Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu?
While the medicinal waters are great year-round, the most popular seasons are:
- Winter (January – February): For the “Yukimi-furo” (snow-viewing bath) experience.
- Autumn (Late October – Early November): To see the vibrant fall foliage reflected in the Tadami River.
- Early Summer (June): To witness the famous “Mugenkyo” river mist from the outdoor bath.
Can I visit for just a few hours without staying overnight?
Yes. The facility is open to day-trip visitors from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last entry at 7:30 PM). It is a perfect stop-off point if you are exploring the Tadami Line by train.
Are there vegetarian restaurants nearby?
To be honest, no. The Oku-Aizu region is very traditional. The on-site restaurant has very few plant-based options (mostly plum rice balls). If you are vegetarian, I highly recommend staying in the Tōjidō wing and utilizing the communal kitchen to cook your own meals.
Is there a shuttle service?
Yes, but only for overnight guests. If you have a room reservation, you can contact the ryokan in advance to arrange a free pick-up from JR Hayato Station, which is especially helpful if you have heavy luggage.
Discover the Stunning Scenery Along the Tadami Line
After you have rejuvenated your body in Tsuru no Yu’s 1,200-year-old hot springs, why not continue your journey through the heart of Fukushima’s countryside? The Tadami Line offers a front-row seat to the region’s most stunning gorges and mountain passes, connecting small villages and hidden gems just like this one.
Check out our full guide to the best stops and photo spots along the Tadami Line to plan your perfect Oku-Aizu itinerary!
