TV-Series
Description
Kōzō Yukawa is a man in his late thirties whose life was defined by an intense, almost obsessive passion for hot springs. In his original world, he was known as a hot spring hunter, a civil servant who could locate the source of a spring by scent alone, and he used that skill to help revitalize a struggling hometown. While searching for a secret hot spring to aid his town, he fell from a cliff and died. An Inari deity from a small shrine reincarnated him in a fantasy world, where he retained his memories and his extraordinary olfactory ability.
Personality wise, Yukawa is single-minded and earnest, driven by a genuine love for hot springs and a belief that they should be shared with all. He does not waste time marveling at the novelty of his new surroundings; instead, he immediately follows his nose to find a source of sulfur, discovering a natural hot spring and enthusiastically inviting the Inari's messenger princess, Mayudama, to bathe with him. This initial encounter sets the pattern for his role in the story: he acts as a bridge between cultures, using his knowledge to dispel local fears that hot springs are cursed waters of death.
His motivations stem from a wish to help others through the restorative and communal power of hot springs, much as he had tried to do in his former life. As the narrative progresses, Yukawa becomes the driving force behind the construction of a hot spring town within an elven village, working alongside Mayudama, the elf maiden Lilium, her sister and chieftain Ohendeck, and later the disguised ruler RuiRui, who is another reincarnated individual. This project transforms him from a solitary hunter into a leader and planner who must manage relationships, local politics, and the logistics of building a resort.
Key relationships include his close bond with Mayudama, the fox-eared messenger who becomes his companion and the namesake of the inn he builds; the initially hostile but gradually won‑over elf Lilium; the pragmatic chieftain Ohendeck, who sees the economic potential in his ideas; and RuiRui, a fellow reincarnated person who seeks his help in changing the world. Over the course of the series, Yukawa’s character develops from an unassuming fanatic into someone who shares his passion in a way that unites diverse races, culminating in the creation of a fully operational hot spring inn that bears the name Mayudama’s Spring.
His most notable ability is his highly developed sense of smell, which allows him to identify the location and type of a hot spring from a distance. Beyond this, his deep practical knowledge of onsen culture, including the different mineral compositions and their reputed health benefits, serves as his primary asset in a world that initially views hot springs with superstition. No supernatural combat skills are featured; his strength lies in his enthusiasm, expertise, and earnest desire to bring people together through the shared experience of bathing in natural thermal water.
Personality wise, Yukawa is single-minded and earnest, driven by a genuine love for hot springs and a belief that they should be shared with all. He does not waste time marveling at the novelty of his new surroundings; instead, he immediately follows his nose to find a source of sulfur, discovering a natural hot spring and enthusiastically inviting the Inari's messenger princess, Mayudama, to bathe with him. This initial encounter sets the pattern for his role in the story: he acts as a bridge between cultures, using his knowledge to dispel local fears that hot springs are cursed waters of death.
His motivations stem from a wish to help others through the restorative and communal power of hot springs, much as he had tried to do in his former life. As the narrative progresses, Yukawa becomes the driving force behind the construction of a hot spring town within an elven village, working alongside Mayudama, the elf maiden Lilium, her sister and chieftain Ohendeck, and later the disguised ruler RuiRui, who is another reincarnated individual. This project transforms him from a solitary hunter into a leader and planner who must manage relationships, local politics, and the logistics of building a resort.
Key relationships include his close bond with Mayudama, the fox-eared messenger who becomes his companion and the namesake of the inn he builds; the initially hostile but gradually won‑over elf Lilium; the pragmatic chieftain Ohendeck, who sees the economic potential in his ideas; and RuiRui, a fellow reincarnated person who seeks his help in changing the world. Over the course of the series, Yukawa’s character develops from an unassuming fanatic into someone who shares his passion in a way that unites diverse races, culminating in the creation of a fully operational hot spring inn that bears the name Mayudama’s Spring.
His most notable ability is his highly developed sense of smell, which allows him to identify the location and type of a hot spring from a distance. Beyond this, his deep practical knowledge of onsen culture, including the different mineral compositions and their reputed health benefits, serves as his primary asset in a world that initially views hot springs with superstition. No supernatural combat skills are featured; his strength lies in his enthusiasm, expertise, and earnest desire to bring people together through the shared experience of bathing in natural thermal water.