Araya Totoan - Historic Establishment in Yamashiro Onsen

Araya Totoan - Historic Establishment in Yamashiro Onsen

Have you ever dreamt of traveling back in time to ancient Japan and living in that land of wonders, traveling across it, meeting great samurai warriors, great artists, and wise men? Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to do that. However, there is something that we can do to at least come close to that feeling. We can explore the traditional side of Japan and do our best to experience the culture and history from up close. One great way to do that is to stay at a prestigious and historic ryokan. One that suits that description ideally is the Araya Totoan whose history extends back to 1639. I have talked a great deal about this amazing ryokan and what it offers in my website post which you can check out here. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a bit more about the history and culture behind this unique place. 

Araya Totoan is located in Yamashiro Onsen, one of the best hot springs in the Hokuriku region, which was opened almost 1300 years ago. That put that in perspective, one of the most powerful countries in the world today, the USA, has only existed for a little over 200 years!

There is an anecdote about the origins of this hot spring that goes something like this:

On his pilgrimage to Sacred Mt. Hakusan, the high priest Gyoki found a purple cloud trail and headed towards it. He then spotted a crow that tended its wounded wing in a puddle. As he came closer he discovered that the puddle was actually a hot spring. The Araya Totoan sits on the exact spot described as the hot spring source in the Karasu-yu Legend, which is also the original source of Yamashiro Onsen.

In the initial years following its discovery, the hot spring was mainly used by local farmers. However, after a retired emperor that entered the priesthood ordered the construction of temple buildings there, Yamashiro Onsen became known throughout the country. Since that time, influential persons of each historical period have visited for therapeutic purposes, such as Akechi Mitsuhide and Maeda Toshiie, the latter being the first lord of Kaga-han.

The Araya Totoan also had its fair share of famous guests, among which were the members of the Imperial family and the famed artist Kitaoji Rosanjin. He was an artist who demonstrated his talent in a number of different arts, such as seal engraving, calligraphy, and painting. In addition to being a prolific artist in a number of areas, Kitaoji Rosanjin was also a famous ceramist. In the early part of the Taisho period (the early 1900s), while in his thirties and still relatively unknown as an artist, Rosanjin stayed at Yamashiro Onsen for about one year and studied under Seika. Today the Araya Totoan houses some of the works of Rosanjin, including a red decorated plate that is considered to be his first work of ceramic art, as well as a screen that portrays the Karasu (crow cawing at daybreak) connected to the history of Karasu-yu.

These are just some of the reasons why you should visit this prestigious traditional hotel. To find out more about it visit the website of the Araya Totman. You will not regret it!