The Mimasaka Three Hot Springs—Yunogo, Yubara, and Okutsu—each have their own charm. The natural scenery is stunning, and soaking in the hot springs is so relaxing. It's a great spot for a healing little trip!
Mimasaka Three Hot Springs | Review by 甘露
Other Reviews by 甘露
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Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum
Sayamaike, Japan’s oldest dam-style reservoir, was built 1,400 years ago. Over the centuries, a range of historical figures took part in its repairs, including Gyoki in the Nara period, Chogen in the Kamakura period, and Katagiri Katsumoto in the Edo period. The Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum preserves and displays materials related to civil engineering techniques used in these repairs and flood control.
The whole building was designed by Tadao Ando, so the moment you walk in, you get that signature style—smooth concrete, water features, and beautiful light and shadow.
There are lots of exhibits about Sayamaike and ancient waterworks engineering. It might sound a little heavy, but it’s actually presented in a really easy-to-understand way. -
Masu-no-Sushi Museum
A museum created by Masu-no-Sushi Honpo Minamoto, the company that helped popularize Toyama’s local specialty “masu sushi” nationwide by selling it as an ekiben (train station bento). On the grounds, you can view the “Masu-no-Sushi Traditional Skills Hall,” where skilled craftsmen prepare it using time-honored methods behind glass, and the “Travel and Food Cultural History Collection,” which displays valuable ekiben-related materials gathered from across Japan-plus plenty more to see.
Such a cute and fun place. You can watch how masu sushi is made, and you can even make your own—super unique!
They also have displays on the history of the sushi and some traditional tools. It’s small, but there’s a lot to see.
Best part: you get to sample authentic masu sushi. So fresh! Definitely worth a quick stop if you’re nearby. -
Date-Style Irori Grill Kuranosho Main Branch
Just a 3-minute walk from Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture, Kuranosho Main Branch is a long-established izakaya founded in 1987. As a gateway to Sendai, it’s loved not only by locals but also by travelers and business visitors. The house specialty is irori-yaki, grilled over a large irori hearth. An irori is a traditional Japanese heating fixture, a sunken hearth fueled by firewood or charcoal.
The place has an old traditional Japanese house vibe, with a classic irori hearth in the middle. You can grill fish and skewers yourself, and enjoy that nostalgic, old-school feel while you eat.
Everything tasted really fresh—especially the grilled ayu (sweetfish), which was insanely fragrant. The overall atmosphere is warm and unique. Perfect if you want to experience a traditional Japanese way of dining.