Bessho Onsen Stone Bath

Ishiyu (石湯) is one of three sotoyu (外湯, public communal baths) in Bessho Onsen. The bath itself is a stone-lined tub fitted with a handful of underwater jets, giving it a slightly jacuzzi-like feel. The water has a faint sulfur scent. A drinking-spring post stands just outside the building. The place is compact, holds only a few bathers at a time, and has no frills beyond basic washing facilities. It goes by the subtitle "Sanada Yukimura's secret spring" (真田幸村公隠しの湯, Sanada Yukimura-ko kakushi-no-yu), a nod to the local legend that this spring was used by the Sengoku warlord and his clan.