Nukumori no Yado, Tatsumikan

Tatsumikan is located along the clear flowing water of the Tone River. The natural scenery surrounding the inn shifts beautifully with the changing seasons, inviting guests to step into an extraordinary and fantastical world. This quiet hot spring ryokan is perfect for forgetting the hustle and bustle of life, instead taking each moment in turn.

The hot springs, whose water is melted snow from Mt. Tanigawa that soaks back into the earth and eventually springs back out 17 years later, have a reputation as being “hot springs for beautiful skin” that make your skin radiant and smooth. There are various elaborate baths here, including an open-air garden bath, a cypress bath, and a private bath where you can enjoy the peace and quiet, but the most impressive of them all may be the “Haniwa Bath.” There you’ll find a large mural painting based on the original collages of artist Kiyoshi Yamashita, known as the Van Gogh of Japan. Soaking in the bath while looking at the dimly lit mural fills you with an indescribable sense of peace.

For dinner, dig in to the ryokan’s specialty charcoal-grilled “kenzan-yaki,” a dynamic dish made with local meat, fish, and vegetables, all skewered and grilled over the hearth’s charcoal fire. Sit back and relax, perhaps having a bit of a chat too, as the charcoal burns brightly before you. There is also a wide variety of local sake to choose from. We recommend the sampling course that allows you to compare the sake from 4 sake breweries, 2 craft beers, and wines from local wineries, all from Numata’s Tone district. Sampling the drinks while pairing them with food is another excellent choice.