“Senso Yudagawa”, a cat inn in Yudagawa Onsen, Yamagata | An inn with natural hot springs welcomed by resident cat Navi

This article is a research guide based on the Senso Yudagawa official website, Yutagawa Onsen Tourism Association, and current reservation information as of 2026-08-19. This is not an actual accommodation coverage article. The resident cat’s presence, physical condition, range of activity, and accommodation conditions may change, so please check the latest information before making a reservation.

“Senso Yudagawa” in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture is a hot spring inn located in the back of Yutagawa Onsen, which is said to have been open for 1300 years. In the inn introduction published by the Yutagawa Onsen Tourism Association in July 2026, the second-generation resident cat “Navi” greets guests at the entrance.

The official website provides information on hot springs fed directly from the source, cuisine made with ingredients from the mountains and seas of Shonai, Japanese-style rooms, and exclusive guest rooms where you can stay with your pet. Although the inn allows you to bring your own pet, in this article we will focus on the distance from the resident cat Navi who lives at the inn.

The second-generation resident cat “Navi” welcomes you at the entrance.

According to the current article from the Yutagawa Onsen Tourism Association, the current resident cat is the second-generation Navi. The daily life at Senso is shown as the landlady looking out from the entrance and welcoming guests as a young master. The current reservation page also states that “Navi the resident cat will welcome you.”

We can confirm that the resident cat is still at the inn and can be seen near the entrance. On the other hand, information about where and when you can touch the cat, whether you can hold them, or guest room visits cannot be confirmed from the official information currently available. Therefore, Neko Yado Research classifies it as C “meeting a resident cat (unconfirmed contact).”

Navi isn’t always at the front door. They may be resting, spending time elsewhere, or refraining from serving customers. If you are interested in meeting cats, please check with the inn to confirm their current location and where they usually live before making a reservation.

In the lobby, wait for the cat to approach you.

On the official website, there is a guide to “Uno Hall” where you can feel the warmth of logs and wood next to the front desk. When you meet the resident cat, don’t block the aisle or chase it; just wait for Navi to approach you.

If you are not sure whether you can touch something, please check with the inn staff first. Don’t use a flash when taking photos, and stop if the cat turns away, lowers its ears, or tries to walk away. Even if you bring in snacks or toys, you should not use them without permission from the inn.

Please avoid taking your pet to the guest room or having Navi face to face with your companion pet, and prioritize the inn’s operations. The awareness that guests are visiting Navi’s living space leads to a comfortable stay.

Japanese-style room and pet-only guest room have different mechanisms.

Guest rooms are mainly Japanese-style rooms, and the availability of toilets, floor plans, and views vary depending on the room. When making a reservation, check not only the number of guests, but also the necessary equipment and non-smoking/smoking conditions.

Senso Yudagawa will renovate the guest room exclusively for pet accommodation in 2024, and also offer plans that allow guests to stay with small dogs and cats. General guests are accommodated in the main building, while guests with pets are accommodated in the annex.

This is not how the resident cat, Navi, comes to the guest room. You need to think about staying with your own cat and interacting with the resident cat at the inn separately. If you wish to bring a pet with you, you must make a reservation in advance, and please check the official website for conditions such as supported animal species, additional fees, muzzles, and cages.

Yutagawa Onsen with free flowing water from the source

Inside the inn are the large public bath “Shoyu” and the small bath “Shinyu”, with hot springs flowing directly from the source of Yutagawa Onsen. The hot spring quality is sodium/calcium sulfate.

The size of the bathhouse, gender allocation, and available bathing times may vary depending on the date of stay and plan. Please follow the instructions upon arrival and use the facilities while taking breaks and hydrating according to your physical condition.

This is an inn where you can make the hot spring itself the purpose of your trip, even on days when the cats are not seen. It is best not to make your plans too focused on just meeting Navi, but instead to enjoy the Yutagawa Hot Springs and the time spent inside the inn.

Dishes using delicacies from the mountains and seas of Shonai

The meal plan offers creative Japanese cuisine incorporating ingredients from the Shonai plains, seafood from the Sea of Japan, and wild vegetables. Depending on the season, plans may use ingredients such as Moso bamboo, wild vegetables, and Shonai Sangenton pork, and there are also options for staying without meals or with breakfast included.

The number of items, menus, and dining locations vary depending on the plan. If you require small portions, have food allergies, or wish to dine in the same area as your pet, please check availability and additional conditions before booking.

We cannot confirm that the resident cat comes to the dining area. If you encounter the cat while eating, do not feed it and prioritize the staff’s instructions.

About 30 seconds walk from the bus stop

The location is Tsuruoka Yutagawa Otsu 13. Take the bus bound for Yutagawa Onsen from JR Tsuruoka Station, get off at the final stop, Yutagawa Onsen, and it is about a 30-second walk to the inn.

By car, it takes about 10 minutes from Tsuruoka Interchange. There is a free parking lot, but there are restrictions on the number and height of spaces, so if it is full, you may have to use the communal parking lot at the hot spring entrance. If you have a large or tall vehicle, please check the parking location before booking.

Current reservation information allows you to check accommodation records made by a single person and plans available for one person. Therefore, the attribute “suitable for solo travel” is assigned, but for days when one person can book, guest rooms and rates must be confirmed each time on the reservation screen.

Suitable people and things to note before making a reservation

Suitable people

• People who can wait quietly for resident cat Navi to appear at the entrance
• People who can enjoy hot springs fed directly from the source even if they cannot meet the cats
• People who want to make meals using Shonai ingredients and hot springs the center of their trip
• People who want to access from Tsuruoka Station by bus
• People who want to travel alone while adjusting their schedule and plans

People who need confirmation before booking

• People who require contact with cats or guest room visits
• People who are allergic to cats or other animals
• People who want to bring their pets with them
• Persons who have conditions regarding guest room facilities or access to stairs.
• People visiting with large or tall vehicles

Basic information

Summary

Senso Yudagawa is a hot spring inn where the second generation resident cat Navi sometimes greets guests at the entrance. You can check Navi’s current presence and business status from the July 2026 Yutagawa Onsen Tourism Association article and current reservation information.

However, the distance to the cat is C because it is not possible to check where you can interact with the cat or guest-room visits. Don’t assume that you’ll always meet the cat, but instead focus on the natural hot springs, Shonai cuisine, and spending time in the hot spring town, and when you do meet, respect the distance the cat chooses for itself.

Related articles

• List of cat accommodations in Yamagata Prefecture
• Cat inn where you can enjoy hot springs
• The difference between “meeting a cat” and “being able to touch a cat”

Sources

• Senso Yudagawa Official Website
• Yudagawa Onsen Tourism Association/Senso Yudagawa
• Jalan/Senso Yudagawa Facility Overview
• Jalan guest room information
• Jalan Meal Guide
• Jalan Access Information