Last Updated: Dec 17, 2023

Tamatsukuri Onsen

Shimane’s “Hot Spring of the Gods”

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium

In terms of inbound tourism, Shimane is already a prefecture well off the beaten path. Though it does attract some international visitors thanks to the presence of the venerable Izumo Taisha, Shimane’s charms are worlds away from the overcrowded streets of Kyoto. Essentially requiring a flight to access, the prefecture’s location on the far side of western Honshu ensures that only those looking for deep cultural experiences ever make it out to the region. Alas, seeing as this part of the country is rife with all sorts of historical allures, it’s a real travesty that more people don’t elect to explore Shimane.

As you’ll see if you check out my crazy in-depth guide to Shimane, I’ve already written a lot about the prefecture before. However, if you are considering visiting, I wanted to take a second to introduce you to Tamatsukuri Onsen, a place I only mentioned in passing in my prior work. Located on the southern side of Shimane’s Lake Shinji, this hot spring hamlet is one of the oldest of its kind in all of Japan. Likely founded during the dark ages of Japanese history for which we have no written records, the sources that we do have note that Tamatsukuri Onsen has been around since at least the year 733.

While many hot springs in Japan purport to have healing properties, the water of Tamatsukuri Onsen was actually verified in 2010 as having a higher proportion of skin-moisturizing ingredients than any other onsen in Japan. So, if you’re looking to beautify your skin, staying overnight at one of the many ryokan in Tamatsukuri Onsen and getting a proper soak or two might be just what the proverbial doctor ordered. After all, there is a reason that the high-quality waters of Tamatsukuri Onsen have earned themselves the nickname of “Bath of the Gods” since ancient times.

Though Tamatsukuri Onsen is indeed a great place to stay while you’re in Shimane Prefecture, a single night is more than sufficient for most travelers. When I visited recently as part of a government-sponsored monitor tour, it was for the purposes of trialing a longer itinerary in the hot spring town. As you’ll see in a second, there was certainly a niche appeal to be had for those interested in the culture of Izumo as well as…