Yumura Onsen Expo Center Yumechiyokan is a museum located in the heart of Yumura Onsen, in Shinonsen Town, Mikata District, Hyogo Prefecture. Opened in November 2004, the museum explores the history and culture of this famous hot spring resort under the theme of “Seeking Warmth.” Through nostalgic displays and recreated streetscapes, visitors can experience the atmosphere of Japan during the Showa era (1926–1989).
Yumechiyokan recreates scenes of Yumura Onsen as it appeared during the 1950s and 1960s, bringing the town’s past to life through period-style streets, everyday objects, and exhibits depicting local life.
The museum places particular emphasis on Yumechiyo Nikki, a popular NHK television drama broadcast in 1981 and 1982. Set in Yumura Onsen, the series helped introduce the hot spring town to a wider audience. The exhibits recreate the setting of the drama and offer visitors a glimpse of the town and its community during that period.
This area focuses on the television drama Yumechiyo Nikki, recreating the atmosphere of Showa-era Yumura Onsen and introducing the world in which the story unfolds.
Interactive displays invite visitors to experience elements of the drama and become immersed in its nostalgic setting.
This area recreates the streetscape of Yumura Onsen during the Showa period, offering the feeling of stepping back in time to an earlier Japan.
Visitors can learn more about the background of the drama, its production, and the stories behind its creation.
Additional displays introduce the history and culture of Yumura Onsen, helping visitors understand how the hot spring town developed and became a beloved destination.
The museum displays items associated with actress Sayuri Yoshinaga, who starred in Yumechiyo Nikki. The drama helped foster a connection between Yumura Onsen and Hiroshima, while Yoshinaga has also been active in promoting peace.
One particularly meaningful feature is the planting of second- and third-generation seedlings of the Hiroshima Aogiri tree, a Chinese parasol tree that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and continued to produce new shoots. These trees serve as powerful symbols of resilience, courage, and hope for the future.
Yumechiyokan features Aogiri no Yu, a footbath where visitors can relax while enjoying the atmosphere of the Showa era. Benches are arranged around a traditional-style shelter inspired by the umbrella carried by Yumechiyo, creating a peaceful place to rest and soak one’s feet in the hot spring water.
The footbath offers a pleasant way to unwind during a stroll through Yumura Onsen and experience one of the area’s most cherished traditions.
At the museum entrance stands a monument called “Yumechiyo’s Prayer,” dedicated to the hope for lasting world peace. Its design features a rounded stone with a hollow center, cradled by a base shaped like joined hands. A flame burns at the center, symbolizing the wish for peace to endure for generations.
The flame was brought from the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, linking the museum’s message to the city’s enduring commitment to peace and remembrance.
One of the museum’s most distinctive attractions is a small red retro-style postbox. Visitors can purchase a special letter called a “Yume Tegami,” write a message to themselves or someone important to them, and place it in the box. The letter is then delivered one year later.
Actress Sayuri Yoshinaga was the first person to send a letter through this initiative. The experience gives visitors a memorable way to leave a message for the future and reflect on their hopes and dreams.
Outside the museum, visitors can see a three-wheeled truck named Hanbee, manufactured in 1963. It was donated to Shinonsen Town by Iwami Town in Tottori Prefecture and has become one of Yumechiyokan’s recognizable symbols.
With an engine displacement of just 285 cc, the small truck evokes the streets of Yumura Onsen during the Showa era. Along with other vintage objects displayed in street-side galleries around the town, it adds to the nostalgic atmosphere that makes exploring the area especially enjoyable.
The museum occupies the former Yumura branch of Minato Bank. The three-story building has a total floor area of approximately 550 square meters. Reusing this existing building contributes to the museum’s distinctive atmosphere and reinforces its connection with the town’s modern history.
Yumechiyokan is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with no regular closing days. Admission is 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Group discounts are available, and admission is free for visitors who present a Japanese atomic bomb survivor health handbook.
From the Yumura Onsen bus stop, served by Zentan Bus, the museum is approximately an eight-minute walk. It is an easy addition to a walking tour of Yumura Onsen, allowing visitors to combine the museum with the town’s hot springs, historic streets, and local attractions.
With its recreated Showa-era streets, exhibits related to Yumechiyo Nikki, peaceful footbath, and messages of hope and peace, Yumechiyokan offers more than a traditional museum visit. It provides a thoughtful introduction to the history and spirit of Yumura Onsen, blending nostalgia, local culture, and a lasting message for the future.