Yuda Onsen — Alkaline Hot Spring Town

**Day-visit bathing:** If not staying overnight, the Yudasen Ryokan Cooperative operates Onsen Kannon public bath (温泉観音, ¥500, 6:00–23:00) offering indoor and outdoor baths with authentic high-alkaline water. The alkaline content (pH 9.1) creates noticeably silky water texture — your skin feels smooth and almost soapy. Locals claim regular bathing improves skin condition over time (the 'beauty water' reputation). Soak 15–20 min, exit to cool, repeat. **Fox legend and footbaths:** Legend says an injured white fox discovered the springs by bathing in them and healing its wounds — hence Yuda Onsen's fox mascot and statues. The main footbath (あし湯, free, 8:00–22:00) is built into a 2-meter-long fox statue on the central street. Sit, soak your feet in 40°C spring water, and watch the onsen town's evening bustle. It's social and relaxing, popular with locals chatting after work. **Ryokan overnight experience:** For immersive onsen culture, stay at a traditional ryokan: Matsudaya Hotel (松田屋ホテル, ¥18,000–35,000/night, 190-year history, Meiji-era garden, kaiseki dinner) or Nishimuraya (西村屋, ¥15,000–25,000, mid-range, large baths). Overnight allows multiple baths (evening, late-night, morning) and kaiseki dinner using local Yamaguchi ingredients (fugu in winter, tai year-round). The ryokan experience — bathing, yukata-wearing, tatami rooms — is core Japanese travel, and Yuda offers it at lower cost than famous onsen towns. **Combine with Yamaguchi City sites:** Yuda Onsen's central location makes it ideal base for visiting Rurikoji Temple (20-min bus), Sesshu Garden (25-min bus), and Xavier Memorial Church (15-min bus). Itinerary: morning temple visits → afternoon return to Yuda → late afternoon bath (16:00) → dinner at local izakaya → evening bath (21:00). This rhythm mirrors Japanese onsen vacation culture.