Hakkei

Wassim made a big difference to our stay. He suggested things to do in town based on what we were interested in, helped arrange them, and gave us advice about getting around. He even walked us to the bus stop. When he learned we'd miss breakfast on our last day, he arranged a packed lunch for our train ride. The owner and manager also spoke with us over dinner and was very pleasant. Both she and Wassim spoke good English, which helped my fiancé and me. Having traveled fairly often and worked in hospitality before, I can say the team gave me the best service I’ve personally experienced. We came to Yubara because I wanted to see a Hanzaki, or Japanese Giant Salamander, and were delighted by this little mountain town. The scenery was spectacular, and the place is full of Hanzaki emblems. Ancient hot springs seem to be everywhere and are open to the public. We stayed in a traditional-style room with modern amenities, including a private hot spring onsen tub. The high-alkaline water was so relaxing that my fiancé said a heartfelt goodbye to the tub when we left. Downstairs there are separate communal baths for men and women, with indoor and outdoor hot springs, a sauna and a bathing area. The hotel looks out over the famous Yubara Hot Springs, where I enjoyed taking part in the local customs as a foreigner. I have a few small to medium tattoos, and they didn’t seem to bother anyone or cause any trouble for me. Breakfast, included with the stay, was healthy and made with local ingredients. Dinner was optional and, in my view, well worth having. It was an impressive multi-course meal featuring seasonal local produce. This was an irreplaceable experience, and I hope to return someday. It’s a bit out of the way from the usual Japan vacation destinations, but worth the travel time and cost.