Yamaga Onsen

What it is

• A hot spring area mentioned in the Heian period dictionary Wamyō Ruijushō
• Legend says the spring was discovered by Uno Chikaharu after watching deer
• The area features alkaline simple hot spring water
• Approximately twenty inns and hotels operate within the district

What to see

• The Sakura-yu public bathhouse which was reconstructed in 2012
• Yachiyoza theater built in 1910 located on the Buzen Highway
• A drinking fountain providing hot spring water twenty-four hours daily

When to go

• The Yamaga Lantern Festival is held every August

Getting there

• Buses run from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal to the area
• The site is twelve kilometers from the Ueki Interchange

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.