Hijiori Onsen Motokawarayu

♨️A riverside inn in 1,200-year-old Hijiori with irori dinners and free-flowing hot springs

Yamagata · Hijiori Onsen Motokawarayu

1

A small inn in a hot spring village below Mt. Gassan

• 🏔️Sits beside the bridge in Hijiori Onsen, a quiet spa village along the Dozan River at the foot of Mt. Gassan, the main peak of the Dewa Sanzan.
• 🏮A member of the Association to Protect Japan's Secluded Hot Springs, built around the irori hearth and its own spring.
• 🌿Local fine woods and wildflowers give the interior a simple, calming feel.

2

Kawarayu private bath

• ♨️The ground-floor private bath is fed only by the inn's own Motokawarayu spring, free-flowing with no added water or recirculation.
• 🛁The owner chose and had fired the Shigaraki-ware tub himself; it is large enough for a family of three.
• ⏰Book a time slot at check-in for exclusive use; from 10 pm to 8 am it is open freely.

3

4th-floor view baths and spring quality

• 🪟Jizo-no-yu (men) and Kannon-no-yu (women) on the 4th floor have large windows over the mountains and river, open 24 hours.
• 💧Sodium-bicarbonate/chloride water known as a skin-smoothing 'beauty bath' that also warms the body.
• 🦴Legend says an old monk with a broken elbow was healed here, and Hijiori has long been a healing spa.

4

Tatami rooms with Japanese-style beds

• 🛏️All 12 rooms are tatami rooms with two low, handmade Kyoto Nishikawa Japanese-style beds (futons added for 3+ guests).
• 🏞️Three types: spacious 16-mat mountain-side (2-5 guests), 12/14-mat river-side over the Dozan River, and simple 10-mat rooms.
• 📶Every room has Wi-Fi, a washlet toilet, washbasin, fridge and safe, with Tochinoi spring water from Mt. Hayama in the fridge.

5

Charcoal irori kaiseki

• 🔥Dinner is either irori kaiseki around a charcoal hearth or a simpler tray-style meal, depending on the plan.
• 🥬Deep-mountain seasonal produce: spring wild vegetables, summer ayu, autumn mushrooms and wild grapes.
• 🥩In winter, hot pots such as Yamagata beef sukiyaki, Shonai pork hoba-yaki and local imoni stew.

6

A carefully made breakfast

• 🍚Freshly cooked Yamagata Tsuyahime rice with miso soup made from homemade miso.
• 🍡The signature is freshly pounded mochi with your choice of natto, red bean or kinako.
• 🔁Guests staying several nights get a different menu at every breakfast and dinner.

7

Facilities and services

• 🛗An elevator in the center of the building, plus handrails and tall chairs in the baths.
• 🪑The irori dining area uses table seating, and low chairs are available on request.
• 🧸Free loans of humidifiers, irons, phone chargers and more; a kokeshi bento is offered for children.

8

Nearby sights and access

• 🧺The famous morning market is about 2 minutes' walk away, daily 5:30-7:00 am from late April to late November.
• 🚃About 40 minutes by car from JR Shinjo Station, or about 55 minutes on the Okura-kun village bus from Shinjo Station West Exit (600 yen one way), then 2 minutes' walk from the Daiichi stop.
• 🚗About 30 minutes from Funagata IC on Route 13; free parking in front and about 100 m away; winter tires required in winter.

3

4th-floor view baths and spring quality

• 🪟Jizo-no-yu (men) and Kannon-no-yu (women) on the 4th floor have large windows over the mountains and river, open 24 hours.
• 💧Sodium-bicarbonate/chloride water known as a skin-smoothing 'beauty bath' that also warms the body.
• 🦴Legend says an old monk with a broken elbow was healed here, and Hijiori has long been a healing spa.

4

Tatami rooms with Japanese-style beds

• 🛏️All 12 rooms are tatami rooms with two low, handmade Kyoto Nishikawa Japanese-style beds (futons added for 3+ guests).
• 🏞️Three types: spacious 16-mat mountain-side (2-5 guests), 12/14-mat river-side over the Dozan River, and simple 10-mat rooms.
• 📶Every room has Wi-Fi, a washlet toilet, washbasin, fridge and safe, with Tochinoi spring water from Mt. Hayama in the fridge.

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A good base for soaking up a deep-mountain spa village through a private bath on its own spring, irori dining and Japanese-style beds. Rooms have no private bath, and there is currently no official free shuttle, so plan to arrive by car or bus.

#HijioriOnsen#YamagataRyokan#Motokawarayu#FreeFlowingOnsen#IroriDinner#PrivateBath#MtGassan#HiddenHotSpring

* This introduction was compiled from information published by each property (official website and similar sources), so some details may differ from what you find on the day. It is AI-assisted and can contain errors — please check the official website and the details shown at booking before you reserve.

Check In/Check Out Policy · Check In: 14:30 · Check Out: 10:30 · Last Check In: 18:00

* These policies are the property's own text, in English; the cancellation policy shown at booking takes precedence.

From onsen etiquette to check-in — the things worth knowing first.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Hijiori Onsen Motokawarayu?

Check-in starts at 14:30 and check-out is by 10:30.

Where is Hijiori Onsen Motokawarayu located?

It is in Mogami-gun. Address: 454-1 Minamiyama Okuramura.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Free-cancellation deadlines vary by rate plan and are shown with each room. Cancelling before the deadline gives a full refund.