Hijiori Onsen Yushin-no-yado Kangetsu

Kangetsu is a ryokan on the Dozan River in Hijiori Onsen, an old-fashioned hot-spring town deep in the Yamagata mountains. It has a men's and women's indoor bath and a rooftop open-air bath, split the same way, which is unusual for this town; on clear nights you can see a full sky of stars from up there. The water is salty and known locally for keeping you warm well after you step out. Rooms are plain Japanese-style, many with mountain or river views, and meals center on sansai (山菜), the wild mountain vegetables this area is known for. It's an unpretentious, comfortable inn rather than a polished one.

The water analysis certificate (onsen bunsekisho温泉分析書 (おんせんぶんせきしょ)Official water analysis certificate for the onsen, documenting its mineral composition, temperature, and classification. Usually displayed at the entrance to the bathing area.More in the glossary) and other papers, as photographed.

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  Yamagata Onsen-do

  A prefecture-wide onsen stamp rally across 86 baths in Yamagata, launched in 2026. Collect stamps in all four areas, Murayama, Mogami, Shonai and Okitama, and climb the ranks toward Onsen Master.

  Area

  Mogami

  No.

  46

  View program