Yunishigawa Hot Spring

At the end of the Heian period in the 12th century, the army of the Heike clan, who was defeated in the battle of Genpei, fled to the remote mountains of Yunishigawa and abroad. The village founded by the Heike is known as Ochiudo Shuraku, or “the village of settlement.” The Yunishigawa Hot Springs is part of this village. The fallen people eventually found peace and lived a quiet life, but they constantly hid in the shadow of the ruling Genji, who forbid them from celebrating May festivals, keeping livestock, or having bonfires. The Heike dubbed their new way of living "Heike no Sato," which was born out of survival and the village continues to honor this lifestyle to this day. Traditional entertainment and folklore, rustic tools and statues of former leader "Tairano Kiyomori" are displayed here.

At a area called the Heike Shuraku, there are inns that have been refurbished from old private housing and decorated modestly, true to the village’s manifesto. The Heikezuka, or burial mounds, stand solemnly here and is said to contain buried armor and weapons. You can experience the stillness of a hidden village that is wrapped in silence day and night.

Meanwhile, the famous "Kamakura Snow Festival" is held here in this village every winter. More than 1,000 kamakura snow huts about 40 cm tall are lined up. When every candle inside the huts are lit, the snowscape is illuminated in a surreal glow. The beauty of the mysterious lit-up site completely fascinates onlookers, and it is also listed as a heritage nightscape of Japan.