Overview

Shirakabe brings you to Amagi Yugashima Onsen, where the Kano River, mountain scenery, and old kominka-style architecture shape the stay. This long-established ryokan has roots going back to 1954 and keeps a strong connection to Izu’s literary history, especially through writers such as Yasushi Inoue and Junji Kinoshita.

The ryokan is known for three things that feel deeply tied to this part of Izu: 100% source-flowing hot spring water, large open-air baths carved from stone and wood, and cuisine built around Amagi wasabi. You stay close to the river, eat seasonal Japanese food, and soak in hot spring water drawn from more than 10 sources without added water or circulation.

Accommodation

Shirakabe has 23 rooms, each with its own character. Some look toward the Kano River, while others face the Amagi mountain range or the Japanese courtyard garden. The room styles range from special-floor rooms with open-air hot spring baths and terraces to riverside annex rooms, rooms with indoor hot spring baths, and simpler Japanese-style rooms.

The special-floor rooms are the most refined choice. These rooms were renewed in 2019 and include hinoki open-air hot spring baths or open-air baths with terraces. From the terrace, you can enjoy source-flowing hot spring water while looking toward the garden or the Amagi mountains. Special-floor stays also include mineral water in the room refrigerator, one complimentary use of the reserved private bath during the stay, and access to the special-floor lounge during set hours.

The riverside annex rooms place you closer to the Kano River. Some include source-flowing open-air baths facing the stream, while others include indoor hot spring baths. The room connected to Yasushi Inoue keeps its historic atmosphere, with a thatched roof structure and irori hearth space. Another riverside room, Kanshiro, is named after Itagaki Kanshiro, known in the area as an important figure in Amagi wasabi history.

The main building rooms offer a more traditional Japanese ryokan stay. Selected rooms include indoor baths with source-flowing hot spring water, while standard Japanese-style rooms give you tatami flooring and views of the seasonal scenery around Amagi Yugashima. Room amenities include Wi-Fi, TV, tea set, refrigerator, individual air conditioning, towels, yukata, slippers, and basic toiletries, depending on the room type.

Dining

Dining at Shirakabe focuses on Amagi wasabi, Izu seafood, and seasonal Japanese cooking. Amagi Yugashima is one of Japan’s important wasabi-growing areas, and the ryokan uses fresh local wasabi in original dishes that bring out its fragrance, sweetness, and clean heat.

The signature dish is wasabi nabe, a hot pot that uses freshly grated Amagi wasabi. It is a strong expression of the ryokan’s local food identity and pairs well with Japanese sake. Dinner also includes seasonal Japanese dishes, with the menu changing according to ingredient supply and the time of year.

Additional dishes may include Shizuoka Sodachi wagyu sirloin or fillet steak, Amagi eel served as shirayaki or kabayaki, Ise lobster prepared as sashimi or grilled in the shell, and kinmedai dishes. These need advance arrangement when available. Breakfast is a balanced Japanese meal designed to feel gentle and satisfying before a day in Izu.

Meals are served in the dining room. Allergy requests can be shared in advance, but all meals are prepared in a shared kitchen, so complete allergen removal cannot be guaranteed.

Onsen and Wellness

The hot spring at Shirakabe is 100% natural and source-flowing. The water rises from more than 10 sources and is used without added water or circulation. The source temperature is around 47°C, and in winter the water may be heated only when needed to keep the bath comfortable.

The spring quality is calcium-sodium sulfate spring water. The water has a gentle feel and is associated with support for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, bruises, sprains, cold sensitivity, recovery after illness, fatigue recovery, general health promotion, and skin beauty.

The Giant Stone Open-Air Bath is carved from a 53-ton lava rock and is one of Shirakabe’s best-known baths. The Giant Tree Open-Air Bath is carved from a 1,200-year-old tree and gives you a warmer wood-scented atmosphere. Both are source-flowing open-air baths and follow a gender-switching schedule.

The large public bath has a different atmosphere, with tuff stone walls connected to Izu’s volcanic history. It includes a semi-open-air bathing area and also follows a gender-switching schedule. Selected rooms include private source-flowing hot spring baths, and the reserved private bath is available only for special-floor stays, with reservations made after arrival.

Guests with Tattoos

Shirakabe has shared public indoor and open-air hot spring baths. Tattoos should not be displayed in the shared bathing areas. If you have tattoos, use an in-room hot spring bath or the reserved private bath when available.

Facilities

Shirakabe has a lobby with thick wooden beams and high ceilings, a courtyard Japanese garden, a dining room, large public hot spring baths, giant stone and giant tree open-air baths, selected rooms with private hot spring baths, a reserved private bath for special-floor stays, a special-floor lounge, Wi-Fi throughout most of the building, massage service, bicycle rental support, and parking.

The courtyard garden is a pond-style Japanese garden with seasonal flowers, trees, shaded paths, and views from the surrounding room wings and corridors. The lobby keeps the feeling of an old countryside house, with wood, height, and history giving the arrival space its character.

The Riverside Terrace is open only for overnight stays and sits by the stream near the accommodation building. You can use the drink space and wooden terrace freely during your stay, except for the paid-use areas. The Riverside SPA, jacuzzi, and sauna are reserved private facilities, used with swimwear or bathing wear. The Riverside SPA is not available from November to March.

The building has many stairs, so this ryokan is not ideal if you need full barrier-free access. One elevator is available, but not every area can be reached without steps.

Activities

Amagi Yugashima is rich in nature, literature, and local food culture. You can walk around places connected to Yasushi Inoue’s novel “Shirobamba,” follow paths near the river, or explore areas tied to the song “Amagi-goe,” which was written after a stay at Shirakabe.

The clear streams around Yugashima are also known for fireflies, especially around the nearby river meeting points in season. You can enjoy slow walks, local sightseeing, and quiet time around the ryokan rather than a busy resort-style schedule.

The wider area gives you access to Amagi’s forests, wasabi fields, waterfalls, and Izu sightseeing routes. Cycling is also easy to add to the stay, with bicycle support available at the ryokan.

Additional Features

Shirakabe is best for you if you want a traditional Izu ryokan with source-flowing hot spring water, famous giant stone and giant tree open-air baths, Amagi wasabi cuisine, riverside rooms, literary history, and a quiet mountain setting. Check-in starts at 15:00, and check-out is at 10:30.

You also have rooms with private hot spring baths, a special-floor lounge, a reserved private bath for special-floor stays, Wi-Fi in most areas, in-room massage options, bicycle support, parking, a courtyard garden, Riverside Terrace access, and seasonal access to private riverside spa facilities.