In 2017, we opened our guesthouse here in the Yunomine Onsen area, offering a charming, remote stay surrounded by lush nature and abundant hot springs. However, with limited restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance, we empathised with guests struggling to find fresh food every day. During these times, we imagined a place in this hot spring town where people could casually step out at night for a drink or enjoy some interaction with the locals.
Seven years later, with the opportunity to rent a small house in town, we decided to bring that vision to life by opening a restaurant that solves the food and nightlife challenges for travelers.
The inspiration for this project comes from the "jigoku-mushi" steaming spots found at hot springs like Kannawa and Tsuetate. Watching people enjoy natural cooking using hot spring steam made us think, "Why not share this experience with our guests in Kumano?" While it's not easy to transplant a region's food culture exactly, we’ve decided to start by incorporating the concept of the steaming area into our restaurant.
And so, we present the "You-Got-It Bar." Located right in front of the hot spring source, we offer a "Gokuraku-mushi" (Paradise Steaming) experience using an electric stovetop in the center of the bar, rather than the traditional jigoku-mushi (hell steaming). It may not fully replicate the atmosphere of authentic jigoku-mushi, but we hope to create a space filled with smiles, conversations, and wholesome meals.
Mission:
- Provide a healthy and satisfying dining experience for travelers visiting Yunomine Onsen.
- Use local ingredients steamed with pure Yunomine hot spring water to promote health from the inside out.
- Offer a fun, international environment with fresh craft beers and local sake from across the Kansai region.
Origin of the Store Name
"Yugori" is an old Japanese word that means to purifying oneself by bathing in hot water. In ancient times, people purified themselves at Yunomine before heading to the Kumano pilgrimage. With this store being born right in the middle of the "Yugoriba" (purification site), there was no other name we could think of besides "Yugori Bar," right?
As for the English name, "You-Got-It Bar," it was chosen for its similar sound. But it also seemed fitting to name it this as after more than a thousand years since the opening of Yunomine Onsen, a place where travellers and locals can gather for good food and drinks was long-overdue. — “Finally, you got it!”