A quiet hot spring retreat near Lake Koyama, famous for fireflies in early summer.
Yoshioka Onsen is a tranquil hot spring village located about 15 minutes by car south of central Tottori City, near the southern shore of Lake Koyama. Said to have been discovered in 962 AD (the second year of the Owa era), it has a history of over 1,000 years, and natural hot spring water from a source at 53°C still wells up in this small spa town that retains the atmosphere of the Showa period.
The water is a mild simple spring with a gentle feel on the skin, said to be beneficial for chills and joint fatigue. Around ten inns are gathered within a ten-minute walk in the hot spring quarter, which has long been cherished as 'Tottori's inner retreat.' The nearby Nagara River is well known as a habitat for fireflies, and the Firefly Festival held each year from May to June draws many visitors.
Access is excellent — approximately 2 minutes by car from the 'Yoshioka Onsen IC' interchange on the San'in Kinki Expressway. Located about 20 minutes from the Tottori Sand Dunes, Yoshioka Onsen is an ideal place to spend a relaxed overnight stay after a day of sightseeing at the dunes.