A Timber Inn Wing of 1933 at Kamasaki Onsen
The Ichijo Ryokan Yumukai Building (一條旅舘湯向棟) is a fine example of large early Showa timber building, deep in the narrow valley of Kamasaki Onsen of 1933 in Fukuoka Kuramoto, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 1, 2016 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey timber building with a sheet-metal roof and a building area of 294 square metres; registration number 04-0124.
An Old Spa Deep in a Valley
The Yumukai Building of Ichijo Ryokan at Kamasaki Onsen is a two-storey timber guest wing of 1933 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Kamasaki Onsen, said to have opened in 1428, is an old spa for curative stays, and the inn lies at the head of its long, narrow valley.
Like the wooden main building, the Yumukai Building has corridors round all four sides of each floor, with 8 tatami rooms of 8 and 6 mats. The Agency counts it a fine example of large timber building of the early Showa era.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
At the Yumukai Building, look for the corridors round every floor, as on the main building (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The three buildings of Ichijo Ryokan are owned by Ichijo Ryokan Limited Partnership (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to a release of June 16, 2025, the inn traces its start to about 500 years ago, when the first head of the Ichijo family, of Kyoto court descent, opened lodgings at Kamasaki, and a new resort, THE YUKAWA, was to open there in September 2025. No official information was found on the current use of the three registered buildings or on visiting them.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1933 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How old is the spa?
- It is said to date from 1428.
- How many rooms are there?
- 8 tatami rooms (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What does it share with the main building?
- Corridors round every floor.
- When was the Ichijo Ryokan Yumukai Building registered?
- On August 1, 2016 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ichijo Ryokan Yumukai Building (一條旅舘湯向棟) |
|---|---|
| Location | 40-4 Kamasaki Ichiban, Fukuoka Kuramoto, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2016/08/01 (Heisei 28) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, two storeys, sheet-metal roof, 294 m² |
| Owner | Ichijo Ryokan Limited Partnership |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Ichijo Ryokan Yumukai Building (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00011037
- THE YUKAWA, a New Resort Opening in September 2025 (Kyodo News PR Wire, June 16, 2025, in Japanese)
- https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202506160608
Last verified: 2026.11.07
