Senjuro Sakaenoyu
仙聚樓 栄の湯
Does Senjuro Sakaenoyu allow tattoos? In a private bath
Sakaenoyu is a Showa-era inn in Asama Onsen where the tubs, lined in old tile, run on undiluted source water, and one small family bath can be taken privately.
Sakaenoyu publishes no tattoo rule. Besides its men's and women's baths it has one private family bath that couples and families use on their own, so a tattooed guest can ask for that. The inn prints no fee or time limit for it; ask when you book.
The bath
The inn fills its tubs with source water and nothing else, free-flowing. It is a simple spring, hypotonic and mildly alkaline, which the inn lists for stomach and bowel trouble, nerve complaints, cold hands and feet, and rheumatism. Asama's water goes by the name of a beauty spring, and the inn repeats the claim that it is good for the skin.
The private family bath is a small room tiled in cream squares with dark joints, with a square tub sunk into the floor, a hand shower and a frosted window. The inn offers it to couples and families who want the spring to themselves. It prints no fee, time limit or booking rule for it, so settle that when you reserve.
The men's and women's baths are lined with Showa-era tile, which the inn presents as part of its old-fashioned character. Rinse-in shampoo, body soap and razors are supplied in the bath rooms.
The hotel
Sakaenoyu is a small inn of Japanese rooms from 8 to 13 mats, each for one to four guests, with yukata (a light cotton robe), towels, a refrigerator and Wi-Fi. Toilets are in the shared hallway rather than in the rooms, and the building has no elevator. Both meals are served in the dining room, with a kaiseki dinner of seasonal Shinshu produce; plans without dinner or without any meals are sold as well. A large hall takes banquets and memorial meals.
Good to know
- Ask about the family bath when you book. The inn lists it with no fee or time slot.
- Toilets are down the hall, and there is no elevator.
- Check-in closes at 9 p.m. Call ahead if you will arrive later.
Getting there
From Shinjuku the JR Chuo Line limited express Azusa reaches Matsumoto in about 2 hours 20 minutes by the inn's count. From stand 23 at the station's Oshiro (castle) exit plaza, the Asama Onsen bus that runs past Shinshu University Hospital takes about 20 minutes to Yuzaka, 5 minutes on foot from the inn. The bus that runs by way of Yokota takes about 20 minutes to the last stop, 8 minutes on foot. From Nagoya the limited express Shinano takes about 2 hours.
Matsumoto STN · JR Chuo Line (Azusa limited express)
Not walkable.
Asama line bus from stand 23 at the station's Oshiro exit plaza, about 20 minutes to Yuzaka, then 5 minutes on foot.
Where it is
Asama Onsen bus stop
- Azusa limited express 2 hr 35 min
- Alpico bus 25 min
- Shinkansen tickets Seats between any two stations, booked by date.
- JR East Pass from ¥35,000 · 5 or 10 consecutive days Covers the Azusa, JR’s limited express from Shinjuku to Matsumoto, with a reserved seat.
- Miso factory tour and lunch in Matsumoto A guided half day at Ishii Miso, a miso maker more than 150 years old, with lunch.
- Japan Rail Pass from ¥53,000 · 7, 14 or 21 days For a trip that takes in several regions by Shinkansen and JR lines.
What happens when you arrive
Use the bath in your room, or reserve a private bath.
How we know
Bath layout confirmed, tattoo policy not published Checked on the official site (: the hot spring page lists a private family bath beside the men's and women's baths)
Best for: a small tiled family bath of undiluted source water at a plain, old-style inn
The inn says its baths run on 100 percent source water, free-flowing. The private family bath is a small tiled room with a square sunken tub. Rooms are Japanese rooms of 8 to 13 mats for one to four guests, with toilets in the shared hallway and no bath in the room. There is no elevator. Dinner and breakfast are served in the dining room. Check-in runs 3 to 9 p.m., and free parking holds eight cars.
Book your stay
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