A storied hot spring with 1,300 years of history, celebrated as a "beauty water" — set in a charming riverside spa town also known as a sacred site for magatama jewels.
Tamatsukuri Onsen, located in Tamayu-chō, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, mentioned as far back as 733 CE in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki. Its waters were praised in that text with the words: "Bathe once and your complexion becomes fair; bathe twice and all ailments are cured" — a testament to a history spanning more than 1,300 years.
The spring water is a sodium-calcium sulfate-chloride spring (mildly alkaline), and its abundant metasilicic acid and sulfate ions are said to nourish and moisturize the skin, earning it the reputation of "Japan's finest moisturizing onsen" and a "beauty spring." Along the Tamayu River, a row of ryokan inns, hotels, and footbaths creates a charming spa-town streetscape perfect for a leisurely stroll. The area has also been a renowned producer of magatama jewels since ancient times, and the town is dotted with magatama-themed shops and shrines.
The onsen is accessible on foot or by local bus from JR Tamatsukuri-Onsen Station, and its proximity to major Matsue sightseeing spots makes it an ideal base for visiting both Matsue Castle and Lake Shinji.