Tamatsukuri Onsen is the oldest hot spring resort in Japan, which was described as “God’s Hot Springs” by its high water quality in the “Izumonokuni Fudoki” written 1,300 years ago. It is located in Tamatsukuri, Tamayu Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture (formerly Izumo Country), where the Tamayu River flows into Lake Shinji, near Hansen Mountain, which protects the heat source of the hot springs. In this inn with a sense of mystery, you can feel not only the continuation of Japan’s oldest hot spring, but also the embodiment of culture, folk art, and mythology cultivated with the hot spring

At the entrance, the moment you enter the guest room, you will be greeted by a fusuma (Tang paper sliding door) inspired by “Tamayu’s Room”. The floor is finished with Naguri, a traditional Japanese woodcraft, which not only visually makes you feel the joy of being welcomed, but also gives your feet a touch of home when you take off your shoes and socks and take the first step.

In a space filled with natural light after opening the fusuma, we set up a gallery where you can touch the culture of Shimane Prefecture. The space has an arc ceiling designed to encapsulate the region’s folk-art culture and its charm. Materials cultivated in the area are incorporated into small details such as furniture and utensils. Visitors can enjoy Japanese sake produced in Shimane Prefecture on a sake barrel table, watch artworks polished with agate jade, and use an iron handle made of steel, which is crafted by an ancient Japanese traditional steelmaking method.

In the Izumo area located at the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture, a method of making ironware using iron sand and charcoal appeared around 1400 years ago, called “Tatara iron “. Most ironwork today is done by machines, but the surface of “Tatara iron” is carefully crafted by hand, which leaves soft hammer marks, reminiscent of the blacksmith industry back then. The artwork above the table is made of Yumachigama tiles, which opened in 1922. Traditional materials and production methods are used during its production, and its yellow glaze is reminiscent of the land of Shimane.

Shimane Prefecture, rich in rice and water bred by nature, is home to many sake breweries and is said to be the birthplace of sake. Using sake barrels that were used to store and transport sake in the Edo period, a sake barrel table made of Yoshino cedar wood is placed for enjoying Shimane’s famous sake.
The artwork on the wall is made of agate (Izumo stone), representing the scene where the Tamayu River flows through the facility. Hanasen Mountain is a hilly area near Tamatsukuri Onsen, which prospered during the Heian period (794-1185) as a place for producing Magatama, and is famous for producing Yasakani no Magatama, one of the three major sacred objects.

The indirect lighting on the gallery ceiling, with light streaming on the curved surface, creates an enveloping feeling. A Japanese paper shoji is set up on one side of the bedroom, filling the room with even and gentle natural light. Next to the changing area of the open-air bath, there is a multifunctional counter where towels and daily necessities can be stored, allowing people to experience the ancient and traditional hot spring more comfortably.

Tamatsukuri Onsen has been known as a hot spring resort with skin care effects from the Nara period (710-794) to the present, as stated in ” Izumonokuni Fudoki “: “Once you enter the hot spring, your appearance will become beautiful, if You enter again and you will be cured of all diseases”. The open-air hot springs in all rooms are surrounded by nature, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of ancient hot springs.

The Aizome(Japanese blue dye) bedside decoration represents the gentle but bright sun’s rays shining through the gaps in the clouds over Lake Shinji. You could fall asleep surrounded by the divinity of the light-filled land of Shimane and the tranquil landscape unique to the San’in region.

In the library space of the lobby, a sofa facing the window allows you to overlook the yard. As you walk around the circular corridor, you can glimpse the ponds, courtyards and seasonal scenery throughout the facility and feel the beauty of Japanese hotels.