Yugawara is a quiet haven nestled peacefully between the natural  beauties of the Izu|Hakone Mountains and Sagami Bay. Located in  the most south|westerly corner of Kanagawa Prefecture, this historic spa town reflects the traditions and tranquility of a by|gone era. With its quiet, narrow streets, picturesque houses, and hospitable inns, Yugawara invites the visitor to come and relax a while, and enjoy the many Pleasures that make Yugawara a hidden treasure to be discovered.
Yugawara is rich in tradition and history. It is proud of its close ties to Japan's first samurai government established in Kamakura by Shogun Yoritomo Minamoto in 1192. It was his aide, the Yugawara warlord, Sanehira Doi, who helped Yoritomo raise an army strong enough to establish Kamakura as the center of Japanese political and cultural life.
Whether you are traveling by train or car, getting to Yugawara is easy.

A comfortable journey on the famous Shinkansen train from Tokyo or Yokohama will bring you into Yugawara in less than an hour. And Yugawara makes an ideal base from which to make excursions to the Fuji|HakoneˆęIzu National Park area.We invite you to come and visit with us. We think you'll find in Yugawara the authentic Japan you've been looking for.



"Manyo-syu" was the first ever collection of Japanese poems. It contains about 4,500 poems, all written in the 7th and 8th centuries and revolving around the eternal themes of love and nature's beauty. One of these old verses makes special mention of the hot springs of Yugawara.
Yugawara's seething springs Surge upwards night and day; Thus I yearn for my love's passion If she love or nay.My focus drifts astray.(trans. G.patani)
while Yugawara's history stretches back over twelve centuries, the distractions of romantic love are as modern as today.
Many well-known authors and intellectuals, such as Soseki Natsume, return to Yugawara year after year to enjoy its scenic charm and restful atmosphere. Through their writings, they have introduced the beauties of Yugawara to the literary world. Today, in Manyo-park, you will find an impressive collection of many of the flowering plants and shrubs described in the "Manyo-syu".
The waters that feed Yugawara's springs are heated by molten magma lying deep in the heart of the neighboring volcanic region of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National park . However, the mineral content of the water's source. Some springs  are composed of "virgin water" which originates in the fiery volcanic magma whereas other springs come from water that has seeped down to the water table .
Some spas boast fonts of "fossilized seawater",water which has been trapped for eons below the earth's surface. 
Since ancient times, the hot springs of Yugawara have enjoyed a reputation for their healing powers.
One folk tale tells of the priest Gyoki of Nara Yakushiji Temple. One night, while crossing through the Hakone mountains, he came upon an old man lying under a tree suffering greatly with festering sores all over his body. Gyoki took him gently on his back and carried him back to Yugawara where he lowered him into the soothing waters of a hot mineral spring. Instantly the old man transformed into Yakushi-nyorai, guardian spirit of paradise and Physician of souls. He commanded the monk to build a spa where people suffering from incurable diseases could come and be healed. Ever since then, the hot spring has been known as "Yakushi-no-yu", or Yakushi's Hot spring.
It is also said that in medieval times, Yoritomo Minamoto, who established the military government at Kamakura, healed  a sword wound inflicted on him in battle by bathing it in the hot springs of Yugawara.