Matsubaso

Matsubaso is a small ryokan in Hanezawa Onsen (羽根沢温泉), a tiny hot spring village in Sakegawa, Yamagata. The draw is the water: slick and silky, often compared to a lotion on the skin, with a distinct smell. The bath is split into men's and women's sides by a wooden wall, and the inn calls it the Bishin-no-yu (美神の湯). There is also a drinking fountain for the same spring in the shared parking lot outside. The building looks its age and feels nostalgic inside, with a quiet, homely atmosphere. Guests often mention the careful home-style meals and the friendly hosts.