A quiet hot spring town where time slows down
Misasa Onsen is a small hot spring town in the mountains of Tottori, western Japan.
The name “Misasa” is often said to mean “three mornings.”
According to local tradition, bathing here for three days can gently restore the body and mind.
Misasa Onsen is known as one of the world’s leading radon hot spring destinations and has long been visited as a place for therapeutic stays.
The town is also part of one of Japan’s first officially recognized Japan Heritage sites, reflecting its long history as a place of healing.
The Mitoku River flows quietly through the center of town, and the atmosphere remains calm and unhurried.
Rather than a place for busy sightseeing, Misasa feels like a place to pause, breathe, and stay awhile.
If you are looking for a quieter side of Japan, this is one of the most memorable onsen towns to experience.
At the foot of Misasa Bridge stands Kawara-buro, a free open-air bath beside the river and one of the symbols of the town.
Misasa Onsen Inns
• Kiya Ryokan — Traditional Touji Culture and Historic Wooden Architecture
• Ohashi Ryokan — Heritage Architecture beside the Mitoku River
• Misasa-kan — Relaxing Hot Springs and Seasonal Cuisine
• Izanro Iwasaki — One of Japan’s Most Famous Radon Hot Spring Inns
• Mansuirou — Modern Touji and Refined Japanese Hospitality
Misasa still preserves the tradition of “Touji” — a style of therapeutic hot spring stays where visitors spend several days resting, bathing, and slowly recovering both body and mind.
Kiya Ryokan
Founded in the early Meiji era,
this inn preserves the atmosphere of past generations.
Rooms reflect different periods—
Meiji, Taisho, and Showa—
and the wooden architecture carries a deep, quiet beauty.
The lobby displays furniture, tools, and everyday objects dating from the Edo to Taisho periods.
The hot spring water flows directly from the source,
offering an authentic toji experience.
Ohashi Ryokan
Founded in the Meiji period,
with buildings constructed in the early Showa era.
Each room is uniquely designed by craftsmen,
facing the river and surrounding greenery.
The architecture is designated as a cultural property and showcases the craftsmanship of early Showa-era carpenters.
The bath, fed directly by natural spring water,
retains a raw, almost untouched character.
Misasakan
Located along the clear waters of the Mitoku River, Misasakan is a traditional Japanese ryokan with white walls and tiled roofs, giving it the presence of a castle-like structure.
It is especially known for its soft, natural hot spring water flowing directly from its own source. The water is gentle and slightly warm, making it comfortable to soak for a long time and deeply relaxing.
The ryokan is also known for its wide variety of guest rooms, including concept rooms and suites, offering different styles of stay.
With its Japanese garden featuring flowing waterfalls and seasonal cuisine, Misasakan is a long-established inn where you can quietly enjoy the changing atmosphere of each season.
Izanro Iwasaki
Founded in 1920, Izanro Iwasaki is one of the most well-known and long-established ryokan in Misasa Onsen.
It has long welcomed guests who come for therapeutic stays, and is especially known for its natural hot spring baths flowing directly from its own source.
Over the years, it has also been loved by members of the Imperial family as well as many writers and artists. Handwritten works and poems created during their stays are still displayed within the ryokan.
A stay here is not only about bathing, but about quietly stepping into a deeper layer of Misasa’s history and culture.
Mansuirou
Mansuirou is one of the classic ryokan of Misasa Onsen, known for its elegant atmosphere and its long connection to the culture of the town.
The baths are one of its main attractions, offering a chance to experience the famous waters of Misasa in a calm and refined setting.
The building and interiors retain a sense of traditional Japanese hospitality, while the stay itself feels relaxed and unhurried.
For travelers looking for a more established and atmospheric ryokan experience, Mansuirou is one of the symbolic places to consider.
A stay shaped by hot water, river light, and silence
Misasa Onsen is not only about bathing.
It is also about the quiet change that happens when you stay overnight, listen to the river, and let the pace of the town slow you down.
Whether you choose a long-established ryokan or a smaller inn, staying in Misasa is part of understanding the place itself.
【PR】You may also explore other places to stay in this area.
The Journey Begins by the Sea in Tottori
-Tottori Sand Dunes, Conan Airport: A quiet gateway into the stories of San’in
-Like a Dream, and a Little Frightening — The Sea of Tottori and the Memory of Hakuto Shrine
-Sleeping as if Floating on Lake Togo — Hawai Onsen and the Memory of Water