Miyakami: Literature, Hot Springs and Handicrafts

Miyakami brings together literary and religious heritage, day-use hot springs, handicrafts and a striking waterfall. At Manyo Park, several of these themes meet in one place; elsewhere, pottery classes and seasonal confectionery experiences invite you to make your stay an active one.

Literature and Hot Springs at Manyo Park

At Manyo Park, a passage from Kunikida Doppo’s work “Yugawara-yuki” is engraved on a monument. Another stone monument commemorates the only poem in the Manyoshu to celebrate a hot spring. Kumano Shrine is also located in the park. It is also called Yugongen and is revered locally as the shrine of the hot springs. Literature, poetry and religious tradition thus offer visitors a range of cultural points of interest in the park.

Manyo Park is also home to Yugawara Soyu Books and Retreat. The Soyu Terrace day-use bathing facility offers spring-fed baths, including two open-air baths, as well as a lounge. Seasonal ingredients are available for those who want to combine bathing with a meal; complimentary drinks are included with meal plans. Offer details may change, so it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

The Genkan Terrace in the same complex is free to use. It includes a book-lending service, a coworking area and a café serving light meals such as sandwiches. Alongside day-use bathing, visitors can choose to read, work or take a short break with a snack in the park. Check the facility’s latest information before your trip.

Handicrafts, Wagashi and a Waterfall

At do陶芸館, you can take part in one-day pottery experiences and attend lessons in both traditional and contemporary techniques. The kind of pottery you are interested in can help determine whether you opt for a more craft-focused stay. Check the studio’s current booking arrangements before you arrive.

Mirakuan also combines an activity with an introduction to local confectionery. Seasonal wagashi-making experiences are offered there in the morning and afternoon by reservation, except on Tuesdays. Free tours of the factory and the art confectionery gallery are also available; check dates and visiting options in advance. Mirakuan also displays a reconstructed Jinsha, a human-powered rail car that is said to have inspired Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s story “Torokko.” Mikan Monaka is a confectionery specialty designated by Kanagawa Prefecture; availability may vary.

Another natural highlight is Fudotaki, a waterfall with a drop of 15 meters. This landscape feature complements the cultural themes and craft activities, leaving room for different kinds of outings during your stay.

Another Travel Highlight: Oku-Yugawara

The wider travel area of Oku-Yugawara offers a different focus. It is a hot-spring destination along a stream, with long-established inns, and is associated with the writers Hideo Kobayashi, Chiyo Uno and Fumiko Hayashi. Camellias bloom there in spring, and the leaves turn red in autumn. The Amateruyama and Ikemine hiking trails are recommended for walks through the autumn scenery. Momiji-no-sato is also among the destinations mentioned for this season; the Ikemine hiking trail is in the Oku-Yugawara area.

A bus runs from JR Yugawara toward Oku-Yugawara. The ride to Oku-Yugawara-Iriguchi or the final stop, Oku-Yugawara, takes about 16 minutes; check the timetable for your travel day. When choosing a vacation rental in Miyakami, consider first whether your plans center on Manyo Park, day-use bathing and handicrafts, or whether you would also like to explore the seasonal scenery of the wider travel area.

See the overview of the wider travel area: Yugawara.