Yuda Onsen — Alkaline Hot Spring Town

Yuda Onsen (湯田温泉) is Yamaguchi City's hot spring district, where 2,000 tons of alkaline thermal water (pH 9.1, 72°C at source) flow daily from springs discovered 800 years ago by an injured white fox. The high-alkaline water (among Japan's most alkaline) creates a slippery, silky sensation on skin, earning the nickname 'bijin no yu' (beauty water) for its cosmetic benefits. The onsen town features 20+ ryokan, public bathhouses, footbaths, and an Ashi-yu (足湯, free public foot bath) in the form of a giant fox statue.

Yuda Onsen balances traditional and modern — historic wooden ryokan like Matsudaya Hotel (190 years old) coexist with contemporary spa hotels, while the district's main street has restaurants, izakaya, and bars creating evening liveliness uncommon in typical quiet onsen towns. The onsen's proximity to Yamaguchi Station (5-min tram ride) makes it an accessible base for exploring Yamaguchi City's temples (Rurikoji, Sesshu Garden) while enjoying genuine hot spring culture. The area also honors its fox legend with fox statues, shrines, and seasonal festivals, adding whimsical mythology to the bathing experience.