Remote work · A day in Yugawara
A day in the life of a nomad
This is an example of a Tuesday, written as if I were spending it here. Tuesday is the day West, Kogome no Yu and Kappo Shirako are all open.
Morning
I get to Yugawara Cafe at 9:00, a minute's walk from the station. The quiet work area is ¥300 an hour plus a drink, and I take it for the morning. The café has no regular closing day, and it stays open until 17:00, so the desk is there when I come back.
- Yugawara Cafe
- 9:00–17:00. Work area ¥300 an hour plus a drink.
Lunch
At noon I walk five minutes up to West, the kissaten (喫茶店) in Miyashita. It opens at 8:00 and closes at 18:30, and Thursday is its day off, which is why this day is a Tuesday. Lunch sets run from 10:30 to 14:00. I order the beef curry with salad, ¥1,600, and pay cash.
- West
- 8:00–18:30, closed Thursdays. Beef curry with salad ¥1,600. Cash only.
The call
After lunch I go back to the café and take the one-person booth. A call there is ¥500 an hour plus a drink. I finish before the café closes at 17:00.
Bath, then dinner
From stop 2 at the station I take the bus to Ochiai-bashi, about 10 minutes, and walk through Man'yō Park to Kogome no Yu (こごめの湯). The bath is ¥1,100 through the day and ¥600 after 19:00, so I go at 19:00. Last entry is 20:30, and Monday is the closed day. I don't stay long. Kappo Shirako, two minutes from the station, takes dinner orders until 21:00, and the grilled or simmered fish set is ¥1,800. I call ahead. Monday is Shirako's closed day too.
If the next morning starts in Tokyo, the Odoriko (特急踊り子) is about 75 minutes and ¥2,810 with a reserved seat. The last train home from Tokyo leaves at 22:52.
- Kogome no Yu
- 9:00–21:00, last entry 20:30. ¥600 after 19:00. Closed Mondays.
- Kappo Shirako
- Dinner 18:00–22:00, last order 21:00. Fish set ¥1,800. Closed Mondays.
The tourism association's English film: 1,300 years of hot springs, ryokan hospitality, mikan, plum blossom and the Yukake festival. yugawaraonsenkanko, 16 March 2018, 4 minutes 56 seconds.
The plum festival below Mt Makuyama: about 4,000 trees, from early February to mid-March. Yugawara Onsen, 10 November 2023, 2 minutes 8 seconds.
More on working from Yugawara
- An onsen town for digital nomadsA workation near Tokyo: the visa, a room, a desk and a bath, 75 minutes from the city.
- The Digital Nomad visa, and YugawaraSix months in town on Japan's designated-activities visa, and what the missing residence card changes.
- Where to stay as a nomadMakuyama House by the river for a month, then Shiroyama Bekkan and the share house.
- Places to work fromCafés, free desks and a booth for calls, with hours and prices.
- Coworking and wifi in YugawaraFree desks in Man'yō Park and by the station, a lounge with a bath, and the library.
- Long stays and monthly rentals in YugawaraA whole house by the river, a share house above the station, monthly flats, and the town's grant for movers.
- Onsen and work: a day in YugawaraWhich bath to use when, what it costs, and where to shop for the week.
Quick answers
- Is this a real day someone spent?
No. It's an example, put in the first person so the hours line up. The places, prices and train fare are the ones on this site.
- Why a Tuesday?
West is closed on Thursday, and Kogome no Yu and Kappo Shirako are closed on Monday. Tuesday is a day all three are open.
- How much is the evening bath?
Kogome no Yu is ¥600 after 19:00. Earlier in the day it is ¥1,100.