昭和 Goldfish Dream Experience at Yu Hot Springs

Spend your weekend at Yu Hot Springs to experience the "Showa Goldfish Dream" theme. Surprisingly, the crowd was manageable! Start your afternoon by renting a kimono and getting your makeup done, then head straight to the festival. Be sure to find the free storage area beforehand—staff are super helpful in guiding you. No need to carry your luggage while soaking in the hot springs and enjoying the food stalls! 🍽️ Before the buffet opens at the festival, take some stunning kimono photos! Highly recommend shooting at the "Goldfish Lantern Corridor" and "Paper Umbrella Street"—the sunlight filtering through the umbrellas creates a perfect atmosphere on your yukata. Once the buffet starts, head straight to the Beijing roast duck stall. The glossy duck skin paired with thin pancakes is absolutely divine! Don’t forget to claim your bird’s nest coupon—it’s the perfect sweet treat to cleanse your palate. ♨️ After 9 PM, the hot spring area becomes less crowded, with only 5-6 people per small pool. Finally, you can soak in peace! The sulfur pool leaves your skin silky smooth, and the nearby steam room has just the right temperature. After sweating it out, try the free massage chairs (scan to pay)—you’ll feel completely rejuvenated! 👘 Kimono Rental Tips: Choose a shop near the hot spring entrance (like "Hanami Alley"). The owner will help you dress and teach you how to pose. Don’t forget to bring a coat to stay warm! We made the mistake of choosing a shop at Doumen Old Street, and since ride-hailing services couldn’t access the area, we had to pack the kimono and change inside the park, wasting half an hour of makeup and styling time. 😤 🎮 Missed out on the "Taigong Pork Cutting" game, but discovered the "Gambling House" stall where you can exchange official tickets for game tokens. Won some tickets and redeemed them for a cute goldfish ornament! On the second day, we visited Jintai Temple and encountered many festival-goers with matching tattoo stickers, which instantly boosted the sense of connection! 💡 Weekend Practical Tips: ✅ Enter the park before 4 PM to take kimono photos; the festival opens at 6 PM, so grab food from popular stalls early. ✅ Visit the hot spring area after 9 PM for a near-private experience. ✅ Bring a waterproof phone pouch to capture stunning shots of the goldfish pool while soaking. Summary: The theme setup is exquisite—kimono, goldfish lanterns, and fireworks make you feel like you’re in a Japanese drama! Avoid the Saturday noon peak and enjoy ancient-style bathing and food stalls at off-peak hours. Next time, I’d love to try soaking in the hot springs at sunrise!