[EN]
Hello!
This is writer Kim, a travel writer in Korea
Today's hotel story is about hot-springs resort in Saga Prefecture, Japan!
It is called, Ureshino Ryokan. 'Wataya Besso'
The grand master of the Japan's three most beautiful hot springs.
Ureshino(うれしのし)
How can I forget about hot springs when travelling in Japan? Ureshino region of Saga Prefecture is one of Japan's three biggest hot springs which has 1,300 years of history. There is a rumor that the divine queen from a long time ago, came back from the war and saw that the hot spring water healed the wounded soldiers. The queen yelled, 'Joyful!(Ureshi)' and since then, it became the name of the region.'Wataya Besso' is the most famous hot springs among the others that represent Ureshino.
Lobby with eye grabbing simple designs.
It has the typical Japanese ambiance with cleanness and modernness.
The image of a hotel is usually determined in the first impression of the lobby. Wataya Besso has definitely understood this and put in efforts all over the place to make the moderately classy image of Ryokan. The lobby is lightened by both natural and artificial light.
Water from the melting ice on the towel falls on the plate drop by drop.
Who would've thought of this delicate decor?
Environmentally friendly scenery of the outside catches my attention on the way to the guest house and the hot springs.
Guest room you want to stay all day long
It feels like I am inside a cottage in a middle of forest. I can smell the unique scent of tatami floor which relaxes my mind. Just by gazing outside and staring blankly, it makes my mind get off things. It's a place where you can close your eyes and meditate and let go of everything. This is the kind of place.
Guest rooms that Japanese emperors and honored guests stayed in.
There are traces of meticulous efforts were found throughout. It felt private and also like I am inside a living room. The spacious room with tatami floor also gave me comfortness. Like it was for famous people who are staying at a special guest room in a metropolitan hotel. It was definitely a special guest room.
The Way To The Public Bath
The public bath is located nearby lobby by the shops. Down the stair case into the basement, there are two entrances for different genders. The sign is small so it's recommended to see clearly to tell them apart. I had a thought that someone could mistakenly go into the wrong gendered bath. This is it for the introduction because photo taking is not allowed in the hot springs and the public bath.
Cute decorations
The charm of Ureshino hot springs
Low alkaline spring water removes impurities from the skin. When you are enjoying lower-body bathing inside the hot water of the outdoor bathtub, you will feel your mind in a peaceful and calm state before you know it. And when you feel the softness of your skin, you will be in awe and think, 'Japan is definitely the place for hot springs'.The photo above is the entrance to the public bath. In the front, there is the women's bathtub. In the back, there is the men's bathtub.
It's more special than a typical hot spring.
Wataya Besso obviously has great hot springs but their exceptional design and sensibility increased my satisfactory of Ryokan. Actually, my mind was already relaxing even before I went inside the hot springs. Hot springs with the added sensibility, I can't think of a better Ryokan than this.
This is Wataya Besso.
This story is translated by 