【開湯1900年の古湯と300年の老舗宿】深山荘 高見屋 蔵王温泉 / 山形 蔵王

【開湯1900年の古湯と300年の老舗宿】深山荘 高見屋 蔵王温泉 / 山形 蔵王

Zao Onsen, Yamagata prefecture An ancient hot spring opened 1900 years ago and 300-year-old inn Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso On the way to the hot spring town, went to a soba restaurant in the mountains. Kotaki Soba Yukariya A tasteful building renovated from a 70-year-old traditional Japanese house Yamagata’s specialty: cold “Furuppa Soba” Heading to Mount Zao in the rain Ride the Zao Echo Line and enjoy the spectacular rainy scenery By the time I arrived at destination, the sun was shining down on the city. Zao Onsen town with steam rising from the hot springs Founded in 1716, this long-established inn is representative of the hot spring town Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso The stairs leading to the inn at the very back of the hot spring town make you excited. A stately building made of pure Japanese-style Check in and go to your room Japanese-style room “Take (Bamboo)” Luxurious spacious room for solo travelers A wide veranda with a panoramic view of Zao Onsen Beautiful sky after the rain Take a stroll around the building In front of the counter is a light-filled rest area “Gensen (source of hot spring) Lounge” As the name suggests, you can see the source of the hot spring. Grab a towel and head to the hot springs Zao Onsen is said to have opened about 1900 years ago. When Yamato Takeru set out on his expedition to the east An injured vassal discovered the spring water and healed his wounds. It was named after the vassal and was called “Takayu,” and developed as hot spring town. “Seseragi no Yu Zao Ishi Buro” A rare two-story bathhouse Enjoy the indoor bath on the first floor and take a break in the foot bath on the second floor In the back is an open-air bath with a sense of openness A space where you can feel the murmur of the nearby Sugawa River Relaxing time surrounded by the sounds of the river and hot springs To another large bath A hot spring that conveys the atmosphere of an ancient hot spring resort “Choju no Yu” (Longevity Bath) It’s nice to be able to enjoy different hot springs at any time. Behind it is a charming tub bath. “Longevity Open-Air Tub Bath” The perfect bath time To cool the water down, head to the nearby Sukawa Onsen Shrine 229 steps. It looks like it would be a bit of a light workout rather than a bath to cool down… A historic shrine with records dating back to the 9th century A majestic structure that watches over the historic hot springs Carefully descend the stairs and take a leisurely stroll around the area As I was looking for souvenirs, it was getting dark. A picturesque view of the torii gate and the inn Dinner time Appetizers served in colorful dishes Hot steamed abalone with herbs A variety of menu items are brought out Chicken and highland vegetable hot pot I was looking forward to trying “Zao beef” The melt-in-your-mouth flavor makes you want to eat more rice… The menu was so delicious that I couldn’t finish it all. Thank you for the meal. Another treat after dinner Zao Onsen Public Bath Tour “Kamiyu” is close to the inn A large, beautiful wooden bathhouse Zao Onsen is characterized by its highly acidic waters Of the three public baths, Kamiyu bath is said to have the smoothest water. Abundant hot water pours into the large bathtub A supreme bath filled with the smell of sulfur and a sense of flowing water. To other public baths “Shimoyu” is 45 degrees. Enjoy it when you visit in winter. “Kawarayu” standing in the darkness pH 1.45 – The lowest pH spring water in Zao Onsen A precious hot spring that springs from under your feet A bathtub filled with well water. Hot water gushes out from the bottom of the bathtub. Ancient hot spring areas developed around the hot springs that gush forth. This hot spring has been popular for 1900 years. Every time I visit the hot springs gushing from feet, I imagine that romance. Good night after a long day soaking in the hot water. Get up early and head to Kamiyu again Listen to the sound of the water and clear your mind Head to the breakfast area A Japanese breakfast featuring a selection of locally produced dishes Reset your body with a hot spring cure and delicious food Before departure, head to another bath where the men and women have switched “Seragi no Yu Cypress Bath” The morning sun illuminates the surface of the water A bathhouse with beautiful shadows There is another tub bath in the open-air bath. Enjoy your final bath time to the fullest Two days spent at the hot springs An old hot spring dating back to 1900 and a long-established inn with a long history I could have one more hot spring town I want to visit again I want to come back to this hot spring again in a different season

山形県 蔵王温泉 深山荘高見屋に投宿してきました。

蔵王温泉は今まで大露天風呂に訪れたのみで宿泊するのは初めて。日本トップレベルの強酸性の硫黄泉が魅力の名湯宿が集まる温泉街は1900年の歴史を持つ日本でも有数の古湯。

宿泊したのは深山荘高見屋。温泉街のメインストリート、高湯通り最奥に佇む創業300年の老舗旅館です。風情ある階段を登った先に純和風木造建築の重厚な建物がそびえ立ち、温泉街を見渡す高台にある湯宿。隣にある酢川温泉神社がその歴史を物語ります。

自家源泉を3つ保有する高見屋、合計で9つの浴槽を備えています。せせらぎの湯・蔵王石風呂に檜風呂。そして古の湯治場の雰囲気を残す長寿の湯。これらの湯を夜通しでいつでも入ることができるのが嬉しい。チェックイン後早速至福の湯浴み時間を楽しみます。

夕食後には蔵王名物・共同浴場巡りへ。3軒ある共同浴場のうち2軒を楽しみました。強酸性ながらまろやかな湯あたりが特徴の上湯、そして足元湧出の名湯・河原湯。下湯は温度が高く今回パスしましたが、冬に入るとまた素晴らしいのでしょう。小さなお宿に泊まって共同湯だけを巡るような滞在もまた楽しいのでしょう。

食事は華の会席膳。蔵王牛や山形の郷土食材をふんだんに使用した贅沢な食事も美味しかったです。

滞在時間、お宿全ての湯を楽しみ更に共同湯巡りをする至高の湯治体験。絶えず硫黄臭をまとい過ごす時間は何にも代えられないものです。また通うべき温泉街がひとつ、増えました。

__________________________________________________________________

■深山荘 高見屋
https://www.zao.co.jp/takamiya/

■温泉詳細
酸性‐含硫黄‐アルミニウム‐硫酸塩・塩化物温泉
源泉かけ流し
足元湧出（河原湯）
pH1.45 – 2 (日本トップクラスの強酸性の湯）

__________________________________________________________________

* 動画内の一部情報はネットによる情報収集に基づいています。
* 温泉の撮影について許可を頂いています。

#vlog
#onsen
#ryokan
#japan
#zao
#takamiya

I stayed at Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso in Zao Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture.

This was my first time staying overnight at Zao Onsen; I’ve only ever visited the Zao large open-air baths. This hot springs town, home to many famous hot spring inns boasting some of Japan’s most acidic sulfur springs, boasts a history dating back 1900 years and is one of Japan’s oldest hot springs.

I stayed at Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso, a 300-year-old inn located at the very end of Takayu-dori, the hot springs town’s main street. At the top of a charming staircase, a stately, traditional Japanese wooden building rises, perched on a hill overlooking the hot springs town. The nearby Sukawa Onsen Shrine seems to speak of its history.

Takamiya boasts three hot spring sources, providing a total of nine baths: the Seseragi-no-Yu, Zao Stone Bath, and Cypress Bath. And the Choju-no-Yu, which retains the atmosphere of an ancient therapeutic spa. It’s great that you can soak in these baths at any time, throughout the night. After checking in, we immediately enjoyed a blissful bath.

After dinner, headed out to explore Zao’s famous public baths. We visited two of the three public baths. Kamiyu, which is characterized by its strong acidity yet mellow feel, and Kawarayu, a famous hot spring that springs from beneath our feet. Shimoyu was too hot for me this time, so I passed and, but I’m sure it would be wonderful in winter. It would also be enjoyable to stay at a small inn and just visit the public baths.

The meal was a gorgeous kaiseki meal. The luxurious meal, made with Zao beef and plenty of local Yamagata ingredients, was delicious.

Enjoying all the inn’s baths throughout our stay and then touring the public baths, was the ultimate hot spring therapy experience. Spending time surrounded by the constant smell of sulfur is irreplaceable. This adds up to another hot spring town I’ve got to visit.

■Miyamaso Takamiya
https://www.zao.co.jp/takamiya/

■Hot Spring Details
Acidic, sulfur-containing, aluminum-sulfate and chloride hot spring
Free-flowing hot spring
Feels like a river spring at your feet (Kawarayu)
pH 1.45 – 2 (Japan’s highest level of acidity)

*Some of the information in the video is based on information gathered online.
*Permission has been obtained to film the hot springs.