A Fresh Breeze Sweeps Through a Historic Hot Spring Town
“Oh, where are you from? Staying at the place where Rokkakudō used to be? It’s always good to see new faces around here.”
No sooner do we arrive in Nagatoyumoto and start soaking in the waters of the Onto Hotspring than an elderly man strikes up a conversation with us. His voice carries a hint of excitement—perhaps it is the mystical effects of the spring, or maybe just his way of welcoming newcomers to the space. The hotel just two doors down, as it turns out, was once revered by that very name.
Founded during the Meiji era, The Ryokan Rokkakudō was the landmark of this town. Nestled along the banks of the Otozure River, right in the heart of the hot spring district, it thrived as a sought-after destination. During the Showa era, its grand bathhouse and banquet halls would come alive, especially in peak travel seasons, buzzing with guests daily. However, with no successor to carry on its legacy, the ryokan bid its guests a bittersweet farewell, closing its doors in 2023.
In March 2025, the former ryokan was reborn with a new identity, SOIL Nagatoyumoto, bringing new energy to the historic town. All 24 guest rooms overlook the river, with interiors designed around the concept of “ma” (space/rhythm/room)—blurring the boundary between indoors and the surrounding landscape. The soft flow of the river and the distant mountains seem to draw guests into a quiet, dreamlike state.
More than just a hotel, SOIL Nagatoyumoto is a multifunctional space featuring the wood-fired pizza café and restaurant TARU, as well as an activity center and a sauna. The activity program alone offers an impressive menu of 15 experiences, all deeply rooted in local culture—visiting the Hagi-yaki Kiln in Fukawa, learning traditional salt-making techniques, or joining a forestry tour. Rather than curated tourist attractions, these experiences highlight the everyday life of Nagatoyumoto, making them all the more authentic.
“Everyday life… Ah, that’s right. We’ve traveled so far, but this is exactly why we set out in the first place,” I think to myself. “To experience the quiet, simple rhythms of a place like this.”
As the heat of the top-floor sauna seeps into my skin, I drift into a hazy reverie, gazing down at the town’s glimmering nightscape. I find myself revisiting our encounter at Onto Hotspring, feeling the tangible weight of the journey. And yet, a single night is just a fragment—barely a glimpse.
Tomorrow, perhaps we’ll take our time wandering through this hot spring town, letting our feet guide us. Below, the Otozure River quietly shimmers, reflecting the rekindled glow of a town finding its radiance once more.
SOIL Nagatoyumoto
A historic ryokan reborn as a multi-purpose retreat, SOIL Nagatoyumoto carries forward the legacy of its predecessor but with a fresh vision. The space is developed and operated by Staple, a soft developer known for its projects in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and Setoda on the Shimanami Kaido. This SOIL project is in collaboration with Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc. The accommodations range from twin rooms to suites and dormitory-style lodging, catering to a variety of travelers. In a bold move, the facility has done away with its long-standing large-scale communal bath, instead offering guests unlimited access to Onto Hotspring, reinforcing its connection with the community. Rooted in the region’s rich natural environment, SOIL Nagatoyumoto is built around three guiding themes: Shizen-iku (learning from nature), Shoku-iku (mindful nourishment), and Yu-iku (the culture of bathing)—each an important part of the guest experience.
https://soilis.co/nagatoyumoto/