This year marks the fourth anniversary of the "Mimasaka Three Hot Springs Art Temperature 2025" event. We visited Yubara Onsen, one of the venues! The art works scattered throughout the hot spring area make it fun to explore the town and experience the charm of the hot spring area as a whole.
2025.10.02At this unique hot spring inn, we experienced heartfelt hospitality, including artwork. We will introduce this limited-time event, where the body relaxes in the clear, smooth waters of Yubara's hot springs, and the mind is freed by the artwork.
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Table of Contents
- What is the artistic temperature of the Mimasaka Three Hot Springs?
- What kind of place is Yubara Onsen?
- Stop by the Yubara Onsen Museum before touring the arts!
- "Life in the Fall"by Atsuki Takamoto/ Yubara Kokusai Kanko Hotel Kikunoyu
- "HIRUZEN"by Naoto Mitsuhashi/ Yubara Kokusai Kanko Hotel Kikunoyu
- Yubara International Tourist Hotel Kikunoyu
- "param no,4"Tomoki Kodama/ Yukkaikan Hanayashiki
- Hanayashiki Hot Springs
- "Hanzaki-san Yuagari Sugata"by Toru Matsuoka/ Genroku Inn Aburaya
- Genroku Inn Aburaya
- " The Hara no Mushitachi no Asobu Niwa" by Satomi Kashio/ Yubara Inn Yoneya
- "Mori no Takkyudai"by Hara Rintaro and Hara/ Yubara Inn Yoneya
- "Pin Hockey/Airpon (De Stijl)"Hara Rintaro + Hara/ Yubara Inn Yoneya
- Yubara Inn Yoneya
- " Usugumo I" and "Usugumo II"by Yusaku Fujiwara/ Yubara Fureai Center
- "In the 『Yama no Naka de』" by Chiaki Kurumizawa/ Yubara Fureai Center
- Yubara Fureai Center
- summary
What is the artistic temperature of the Mimasaka Three Hot Springs?
This traveling art event is held every three years in the three hot spring resorts of Yubara Onsen, Okutsu Onsen, and Yunogo Onsen in northern Okayama Prefecture . The title uses the word "temperature" to express various "experiences," such as the warmth of the hot springs, the hospitality of the inns, and the emotions felt by artworks. Using hot spring inns and tourist facilities as venues, artists from Japan and abroad exhibit works inspired by the history and scenery of the hot spring resorts. The appeal of strolling through the hot spring towns and touring the artworks is that you can also enjoy interacting with local culture and people. 2025 will see the event take place at 27 facilities, with 31 artists participating, making it the largest event yet.
Event period: Friday, August 29th to Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Location: Yubara Onsen(Maniwa City), Okutsu Onsen(Kagamino Town), Yunogo Onsen(Mimasaka City)
Price: Free to view the artworks
What kind of place is Yubara Onsen?
Yubara Onsen is a hot spring resort that stretches along the Asahikawa River, downstream from Yubara Dam. The symbol of the hot spring town, Sunayu, has been selected as the "Western Yokozuna," the highest rank in Western Japan, in the nationwide ranking of open-air baths. Sunayu is an open-air bath that uses natural hot spring water that springs from the bottom of the Asahikawa, and is available for bathing 24 hours a day, free of charge. There are also two other hot spring sources, and hot spring water is supplied to each inn in the hot spring town from the basement of Yumoto Onsenkan and Yumesui-an. The colorless, clear, alkaline simple hot spring water is said to be effective against neuralgia and sensitivity to cold.
Stop by the Yubara Onsen Museum before touring the arts!
Before visiting the hot springs and artworks, you can pick up a map here to efficiently tour the art. They also provide information on delicious restaurants and cafes, so be sure to stop by. You can also take a break or read a book. There are also three adorable cats on display, who will greet you.
[Yubara Onsen Museum ]
Address: 124 Yubara Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture Yubara Onsen
TEL: 0867-62-2526
Parking: Available
You can play table tennis in the hot springs!
At the Yubara Onsen Museum, you can also enjoy hot spring table tennis (a popular game played at Japanese hot spring inns) for 500 yen for 30 minutes. Both regular and slipper-type rackets are available.
Experience workshops too!
You can also enjoy the "Hanzaki Craft Experience (1,000 yen)," where you can paint a Daruma (a traditional Japanese lucky charm) or try leather crafting to make a keychain. Recommended as a souvenir or memento of your trip.
"Life in the Fall"by Atsuki Takamoto/ Yubara Kokusai Kanko Hotel Kikunoyu
This work is by Atsuki Takamoto, who is researching creative ways to rethink modern society by freeing everyday objects and materials from their original roles and combining them. Looking closely, I noticed that it was made up of countless colorful clothespins, forming a shape. I was impressed that such a familiar material could be transformed into such a wonderful piece of art. It is displayed on the lobby floor of the hotel entrance, welcoming guests.
"HIRUZEN"by Naoto Mitsuhashi/ Yubara Kokusai Kanko Hotel Kikunoyu
The Hiruzen region of Maniwa City is home to three beautiful mountains known as the " Hiruzen Sanza," which are the subject of Naoto Mitsuhashi's work. Mitsuhashi is particular about the timing of his photography, visiting the Hiruzen Sanza in the mornings and evenings when the weather is a mix of sunny and cloudy and when the weather changes drastically, resulting in a series of photographs that capture mystical moments in the majestic nature.
Yubara International Tourist Hotel Kikunoyu
This hotel faces the Asahikawa and offers a panoramic view of the mountains and river from every room. You can enjoy the sound of the river while soaking in the open-air bath, where you can see the stars beautifully, and there is also a large public bath and a private bath available for hire. The large open-air bath " Sunayu ," a symbol of Yubara Onsen , is also just a short distance away. Pet-friendly rooms are also available.
[Yubara International Tourist Hotel Kikunoyu]
Address: 16 Yubara Onsen, Okayama Prefecture Maniwa City, Yubara Onsen
TEL: 0867-62-2111
Parking: Available
"param no,4"Tomoki Kodama/ Yukkaikan Hanayashiki
The distance between the seaside Port town where Tomoki Kodama lives and Yubara Onsen is 120km. The artwork expresses the feeling that the water between the two places is seamlessly connected, and conveys the flow of the water.
Hanayashiki Hot Springs
This inn has a homey atmosphere and is located on a street facing the Asahikawa. There's an open-air bath on the rooftop, where you can enjoy the hot spring water while listening to the sound of the clear stream against a natural backdrop. In addition to the Yubara Onsen, day-trip bathing is also available. Attracted by a poster advertising "Hanzaki Yokan (200 yen)," I decided to buy some. This small, pinky-sized yokan (traditional Japanese sweet) is shaped like a hanzaki, the symbolic character of Yubara Onsen-kan. It's delivered frozen, but in the heat, it quickly becomes ripe and shiny. It was delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness.
[Yuukaika Hanayashiki]
Address: 21 Yubara Onsen, Okayama Prefecture Maniwa City, Yubara Onsen
TEL: 0867-62-3341
Parking: Available
"Hanzaki-san Yuagari Sugata"by Toru Matsuoka/ Genroku Inn Aburaya
At Yubara Onsen, there are various artworks with the motif of the giant salamander known as "Hanzaki," a national natural monument. At the entrance to Genroku Hatagoya Aburaya, Toru Matsuoka 's new work "Taking a Break with Mr. Hanzaki" welcomes guests.
Genroku Inn Aburaya
This inn has a history of over 300 years, dating back to 1688, and is said to have been one of the inspirations for Studio Ghibli's popular animated film, "Spirited Away." Along with the new work "Taking a Break with Hanzaki-san," the green Hanzaki art piece from the previous exhibition overlooks the hot spring town from the second floor, making it a popular photo spot. Guests can also use the open-air bath, large public bath, private bath, and day-use hot spring. As the source of the hot spring is nearby, you can enjoy the fresh water immediately after it springs up.
[Genroku Inn Aburaya]
Address: 27 (Shokuyukan) and 29 (Yumesui-an) Yubara Onsen, Maniwa City Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 0867-62-2006
Parking: Available
" The Hara no Mushitachi no Asobu Niwa" by Satomi Kashio/ Yubara Inn Yoneya
At the end of the inn's long corridor, on the white walls of the staircase, there is an art piece that is appealing to both children and adults. Each cell is used as a pattern to express the inner workings of life, and when parts of the human body are turned into artwork, they look like colorful living creatures, giving a sense of life.
"Mori no Takkyudai"by Hara Rintaro and Hara/ Yubara Inn Yoneya
In the inn's relaxation space, there was a colorful and uniquely shaped ping-pong table. It was an artwork by the artist duo "Rintaro Hara + Yu Hara." It was a shape I had never seen before, and it really piqued my sense of playfulness. You can actually play for 300 yen for 30 minutes.
"Pin Hockey/Airpon (De Stijl)"Hara Rintaro + Hara/ Yubara Inn Yoneya
Hockey, a classic game at Japanese hot spring inns, was also on display as an art piece.
Yubara Inn Yoneya
This inn has the appearance of a post town, with its white walls, lattice windows, and namako walls (a traditional Japanese wall style). It is located along the Mimasaka Kaido road, a little away from the center of the hot spring town. There are open-air baths, semi-open-air baths, a medium-sized bath, a large public bath, a private bath, and day-use baths.
[Yubara Inn Yoneya]
Address: 345-18 Yubara Onsen Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture
TEL: 0867-62-3775
Parking: Available
" Usugumo I" and "Usugumo II"by Yusaku Fujiwara/ Yubara Fureai Center
This artwork, which is based on the Masking Tape, was exhibited on an entire glass wall in the free space.
"In the 『Yama no Naka de』" by Chiaki Kurumizawa/ Yubara Fureai Center
Each of the countless water beads on the plastic film was made to resemble the lens of an eye, and it felt as if many eyes were looking in my direction. They sparkled in the light and were very beautiful. Apparently, the plastic film contains hot spring water from Yubara Onsen.
Yubara Fureai Center
This complex houses the functions of the Yubara Promotion Bureau, Yubara Library, Civic Center, and Yubara Community Center, and has spaces that can be used casually by residents and visitors to Yubara. The artwork can be seen on the entrance door.
[Yubara Fureai Center ]
Address: 1515 Maniwa City, Okayama Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 0867-62-2011
Parking: Available
summary
Yubara Onsen town, which retains a nostalgic atmosphere, is spacious enough to explore on foot, making it just the right size for an art tour. Artworks are displayed inside the inns, making it easy to visit, and the individuality of each facility is apparent, making me want to stay overnight. The art pieces blend seamlessly into the onsen town, allowing me to stop and contemplate each unique world, which also helped to free my mind. The footbaths (hot springs where you can just soak your feet) in the town are also easy to try, and the clear, comfortable waters really helped me relax. I highly recommend visiting Yubara Onsen to enjoy the art and hot springs.
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