Nestled in the mountains of Takayama, Hirayu Onsen is a picturesque hot spring town just about an hour bus ride away from Takayama Station (Nohi Bus Terminal). Here, you can find a unique local delicacy — the Hot Spring Egg, or Onsen Tamago.
Onsen Tamago are Japanese hot spring eggs slow-cooked in naturally warm spring water, resulting in silky whites and creamy yolks, which is a unique yet simple taste of Japan’s onsen culture.
But Hirayu Onsen has its own twist: the Hantai Tamago. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary soft-boiled hot spring egg, but what makes it so unique is the opposite texture: the white is soft and creamy, while the yolk is firmly set. That’s how it got its name, “Hantai,” meaning “opposite” in Japanese.
The iconic and delicious Hantai Tamago is made by carefully boiling at the perfect temperature of the local hot spring source, “Tsurunoyu.” The sodium bicarbonate and salt content in the Hirayu Onsen water gives it a salty, subtle taste, unlike any egglicious experience you have had in Japan. We hope you have a chance to enjoy these silky eggs with a sprinkle of salt, piping hot amid the steam of the onsen streets.
Access Information
You can find these eggs at Tsuruya Shoten, a beloved local souvenir and convenience shop, a 3-minute walk from the Hirayu Bus Terminal.
Tsuruya Shoten
Address: 519 Hirayu, Okuhida Onsengo, Takayama City, Gifu
Contact: 0578-89-2605
