Onagawa Onsen Yupo'po, Public bathhouse at Onagawa Station, Japan.
Onagawa Onsen Yupo'po is a hot spring bathing facility on the second floor of Onagawa Station, drawing natural mineral water from local sources into separate bathing areas for men and women. The facility offers multiple soaking pools and washing stations within a compact, easy-to-navigate layout.
The facility opened in 2015 as part of the reconstruction of Onagawa after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami destroyed much of the town. The station building that now houses it was itself rebuilt from scratch during this same period.
The bathing areas are decorated with tile murals showing deer from Kinkasan island, a sacred island near Onagawa. These images tie the bathing experience to the local landscape and the traditions of the surrounding area.
Towels can be rented on site for a small fee, and basic toiletries are provided. It is worth checking opening hours in advance, as the facility may be closed on certain days.
The facility accepts visitors with tattoos, which is far from standard at Japanese bathing establishments. This makes it one of the few places in Japan where tattooed bathers are openly welcome.
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