HOMEWelcome to Yamanaka Onsen Matsuo Basho

Matsuo Basho

Matsuo Basho took a break from his "Narrow Road to the Deep North" Journey and stayed at a Ryokan named "Izumiya" in Yamanaka Onsen from July 27th (September 10th on the solar calendar) to August 5th of Genroku 2 (1689).
During the nine days, Basho visited the Shrine of the Healing Buddha, spent a relaxing time at the hot spring, and enjoyed the magnificent landscape of Yamanaka Onsen thoroughly.
Later he praised Yamanaka Onsen as one fo the three best hot springs in Japan.

Afterwards Matsuo Basho recited a haiku: "Yamanakaya/Kiku wa taoraji/Yuno nihoi". This haiku means that Yamanaka Onsen can give one longevity and "after going into Yamanaka Onsen's hot spring water, you don't even need to drink the dew of the chrysanthenum of eternal youth that is collected by the Chinese Chrysanthenum Fairies.".

Pioneers of Yamanaka Onsen -- the Four Sages

"Gyoki, Nobutsura, Rennyo, Basho" are worshipped as the "Four Sages" of Yamanaka Onsen since ancient times and are respected even now as the persons who built the foundation of Yamanaka Onsen. Gyoki was the monk who discovered Yamanaka Onsen during Nara Era, and Nobutsura Hasebe was the Lord of Noto who revived this hot spring which was lying derelict. The eminent monk Rennyo also left numerous legends behind him during his visit to the Yamanaka Onsen. The Four Sages were deeply connected with Yamanaka in different eras; and with 1300 years of history, visitors can still feel the rich culture in this Onsen District along with the constantly flowing hot springs that emerges from underground.

Kakusenkei Gorge