Kakucho Hase Ryokan, Aomori ken

Kakucho Ryokan was the setting for a popular novel written by Inoue Yasushi, and retains a romantic image in the minds of many Japanese. The inn has a warmly colored interior with oil paintings of seascapes hung in the halls and public rooms. All rooms have sunken fireplaces. There are separate bathing facilities for men and women. The indoor baths are in large, wooden tubs. Outside there are several open-air baths that offer bathers wonderful views of the sea and the coastline. The water is classified as sulfur, and is used to treat skin problems, cuts, bruises, rheumatism and stress.