Palace Matsukaze

This lodging in Shirataka, Yamagata, also takes day visitors. The main draw is the large communal bath (大浴場, daiyokujo), with pine trees and open sky reflected on the water and a view over the town toward the Mogami River. The inn calls the water a "beauty bath" (美人の湯, bijin no yu). Men's and women's baths are separate, and there is a sauna and a bright rest room by the bath entrances. Day visitors use a separate outdoor passage that leads straight to the bath. In winter, squirrels and hawks sometimes show up outside.