Q. What is Shinzaemon no Yu?
Yunohana Chaya and Shinzaemon no Yu opened on April 21, 1999. The name is derived from a trading name called Iseya Shinzaemon that has survived for 11 generations since the Horeki era.
We set up Shinzaemon no Yu to inherit our ancestors’ spirit of “co-existence and co-prosperity living with nature and neighborhood” and share the joy of getting in touch with Zao Onsen and its abundant nature with many people.
Q. What kind of hot spring is there in the facility?
Our hot spring is a sulfurous spring with strong acidity. It has been used to improve fragile health, backed by the highland climate.
The hot spring is famous for its effect of making the skin beautiful and smooth as it is called “the hot water of beauty.”
・Nature of hot spring…Acid chloride spring containing sulfur, aluminum, and sulfate (strong acid sulfurous spring)
・Efficacy…Beautiful skin, cuts, burns, women’s diseases, physically weak children, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, high-blood pressure, and nerve pain.Once you get in the hot spring, it reeks of the odor of sulfur. Please be careful because it stings a cut.
The hot spring is normally transparent, but it becomes cloudy when it comes in contact with the air or its turbidity changes as the mineral deposits are deposited or precipitated.
In our facility, three open-air hot spring baths are sulfurous springs, and Uchi Yu is an alkaline artificial hot spring containing many minerals.
If you wish to keep the efficacy of the hot spring, please towel your body dry lightly without washing off the hot spring water. If you are nervous about the odor of sulfur, please get in Uchi Yu or wash off the hot spring water with a shower.
At hot springs, soap can’t be used. Soap can only be used at Uchi Yu.
Q. What are the characteristics of the spring quality in the Zao area?
Zao Onsen is located at a high altitude of 880 meters on the west side of the Zao Mountain Range. It is a historic hot spring bath counted as one of the three major hot spring resorts on highlands in Oshu.
The hot springs in the Zao area pour out 15,000 liters of hot water per minute. As to spring quality, it is a strongly acidic sulfurous spring. The pH of the hot spring is 1.3, which makes it the second strongest acidic hot spring in Japan. This strong acidity can be proven by putting a towel in the hot spring bath. The towel will get frayed in two or three days in the hot spring bath.
In the Zao area, there are five groups of hot spring sources and as many as 47 hot spring sources. While there is a difference in water temperature, there is no big difference in efficacy.
It is said that Tamagawa Onsen in Akita is the strongest acidic hot spring in Japan at pH 1.2.
Q. Is any parking lot available?
In front of the facility, we have the 1st Parking for 35 cars. The 2nd Parking for about 30 cars is located at the bottom of the backside of the footbath.
Throughout the year, parking is free, but during the year-end and New Year holidays and on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public holidays, and during the winter season, parking is free up to three hours. Parking by visitors for skiing or watching frost-covered trees without using our facility is not allowed.
Q. Is there any footbath available?
A footbath with free-flowing natural hot spring water is available for free.
During the winter season from December to March, the footbath is closed.
The footbath is available from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 21:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public holidays.
Q. Can I take pictures/videos inside the facility?
Inside the facility, you can take pictures/videos only in front of the front desk. It is not permitted to take pictures/videos in any place other than the front desk.
Also, it is not allowed to use any device with shooting functions, such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets, at the dressing rooms and bathrooms.
Q. Is there any resting room?
Yes. We have two free resting rooms: a resting room “Hanazashiki” on the second floor and an after-bath resting room “Komakusa” on the first floor.
Also available are two fee-charging private rooms for rent.
Q. Can I bring in food and drinks?
According to instructions by the public health center, it is not allowed to bring in foods and drinks.
Q. Can I go in and out of the facility freely?
No re-enter is allowed from the outside of the facility once you leave the facility, but you may freely move between the facility and parking lots.
Q. Is there any family bath and sauna?
There is no family bath and sauna available.
Q. How can I make a reservation?
We accept reservations on the phone as follows. (we don’t accept reservations by e-mail and other methods.)
Reservation for tables at the restaurant
We don’t accept reservations during the year-end and New Year holidays, Golden Week, and the Bon period (mid-August).
We don’t accept reservations on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public holidays in February, August, and October.
We accept reservations for any period other than the above and weekdays.Massage Room (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are regular closing days.)
Reservations are accepted.
Weekdays 12:00~18:00 (treatment ends) Saturdays, Sundays, and Public holidays 12:00~19:00 (treatment ends)Tatami-mat rooms for rent (private room)
Reservations are accepted. The minimum rental hour is 2 hours. An extension is possible by the hour.
12 tatami-mat room (up to 6 persons) 3,000 yen for 2 hours, 15 tatami-mat room (up to 8 persons) 4,000 yen for 2 hours
A private room plan with meals (available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays only)
A reservation is accepted on the phone two days in advance (by 16:00).
Frequently Asked Questions about Restaurant
Q. Can I use the facility only for meals?
You can use the restaurant without paying admission fees.
In case that all the tables are taken by visitors for bathing, you may not use the restaurant.
Q. Can I use a wheelchair in the facility?
The restaurant can be accessible by the elevator.
You can use a seat at a table at the restaurant.
Toilets at the souvenir shop are wheelchair-accessible.
Q. Are all soba noodles juwari soba?
All soba noodles served at our facility are juwari soba noodles made of buckwheat flour only.
They are made thin by our own cooking method. Please enjoy feeling the soba noodles going down the throat smoothly and firmly.
Q. Can I use my credit card?
At the restaurant, you can use any credit card. QR codes can be used for R(Rakuten) Pay, PAYPAY, and AliPay.
Q. Is there any break time at the restaurant?
On weekdays, we have no break time.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and Public holidays, we have break time from 15:30 to 17:30.
Q. Is there any smoking seat available?
At the restaurant, there is no smoking seat available.
Outside, ashtrays are available beside the souvenir shop.