Overview
Matsudaya Hotel invites you to step into history. Located in Yamaguchi’s Yuda Onsen district, this ryokan has welcomed travelers for over 300 years. It’s famously connected to the leaders of the Meiji Restoration—known as the Ishin no Shishi—who gathered here to plan the future of Japan. As you enter, the past surrounds you. Whether you’re relaxing in the onsen or walking through the garden, you’ll feel the quiet presence of history in every corner.
Accommodation
Matsudaya Hotel offers two distinct buildings to match your style of travel: the Main Building, with traditional architecture from the Taisho period, and the New Building, designed for comfort with a refined modern touch.
Main Building: Sleep in a futon on tatami mats while overlooking a 300-year-old Japanese garden. Some rooms include open-air baths, and all feature free-flowing hot spring water in the bath. If you prefer a bed, a Japanese-Western room is also available.
New Building: Choose from Japanese-style or Western-style twin rooms. The suites include a half open-air bath with Jacuzzi, filled with Yuda’s hot spring water. This building offers easy comfort while maintaining Japanese character.
Wi-Fi is available in both buildings.
Dining
You’ll enjoy seasonal ingredients sourced directly from Yamaguchi’s mountains and seas. Meals highlight the richness of the local land and offer a fresh look at traditional Japanese flavors.
Main Building: Breakfast and dinner are served in your room, giving you a quiet, personal dining experience.
New Building: Meals are served in either the Kaikatsuro restaurant or the Kinki dining hall.
Group Stays: Large parties can dine in the banquet hall.
Meals follow the rhythm of the seasons:
- Spring: Taste red tilefish, known as Guji in Kyoto, often used in high-end cuisine.
- Summer: Enjoy pike conger at its best, soaked in the rains of the season.
- Autumn: Savor kuruma prawn, called the king of shrimp, at its most flavorful.
- Winter: Sample fugu, the prefectural fish of Yamaguchi, representing winter’s finest taste.
Onsen and Wellness
The hot spring at Matsudaya Hotel has healed and inspired travelers for centuries. Revolutionaries like Sakamoto Ryoma once bathed here, including in the historic Ishinnoyu, built in 1860.
The hotel offers several unique baths:
- Iwanoyu: A stone bath with a strong, elegant presence.
- Sawaraginoyu: A spacious main bath.
- Byakkonoyu: A smaller open-air bath located beside Sawaraginoyu.
- Ishinnoyu: A historic bath tied to the Meiji Restoration.
- Kura no Yu (Ryoma no Yu and Oryo no Yu): Nestled in a repurposed tile-roof storehouse, this peaceful bath overlooks a garden that has remained unchanged for 150 years.
Yuda Onsen’s water flows directly from the source, providing a gentle, natural soak that nurtures both body and spirit.
Guests with Tattoos
Please contact the hotel in advance if you have tattoos. While the baths are traditional, staff can help you explore your options to ensure a comfortable stay.
Facilities
Japanese Garden: This 300-year-old strolling garden surrounds you with changing views every season. Feed the colorful koi carp and enjoy a moment of peace.
Meiji Restoration Library: Discover historical artifacts related to the Meiji revolutionaries who once met here. Open daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Shop: Browse Yuda Onsen specialties and local goods. Open from 7:30 am to 10:30 am and 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Courier service is available.
Lobby: Relax with tourism information and free Wi-Fi. The front desk operates from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Activities
Matsudaya Hotel is a gateway to Yamaguchi’s rich history. Take a sightseeing bus from the stop directly in front of the hotel and visit nearby destinations such as Hagi, Hofu, Shimonoseki, and Akiyoshidai. As you explore, you’ll uncover more about the revolutionaries who once walked the same paths.
Additional Features
- Historic site tied to the Meiji Restoration
- Hot spring baths with natural water and historic architecture
- Breakfast and dinner served in-room or on-site dining
- Suites with open-air Jacuzzi baths
- Traditional futon rooms or modern bed options
- Seasonal kaiseki meals
- 300-year-old Japanese garden
- On-site historical museum and koi pond
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
- Tourist bus stop directly in front of the hotel
Access
- By Train: From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take the JR Yamaguchi Line to Yuda Onsen Station (about 20 minutes), then walk 10 minutes or take a taxi.
- By Car: About 15 minutes from the Ogori Interchange.
- By Air: Accessible from airports via train or rental car.
- By Bus: Sightseeing buses and local routes stop in front of the hotel.
