In 1611, the second-generation Lord of the Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshinaga, is said to have had water from the “Wakuura-no Yu (hot spring of Wakuura)” delivered to him to treat swelling, boosting the popularity of Wakura Onsen. Then in 1641, the third-generation Lord of the Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshitsune, ordered the springhead to be tidied up to make it easier to use as a healing hot spring. Reclamation work was carried out to create Yushima (hot spring island) in the bay.
After that, Wakura came to be visited by many people seeking its healing powers, even leading to the popularity of a local song about Wakura: “Wakura, Wakura-to, ie-nara nanatsu, shima-ni yu-ga denya, dare ikoya.” It translates to, “Who would go to Wakura, with only seven houses, if it weren’t for its hot spring?” The song was sung in envy of its popularity as a hot spring resort. Reclamation work continued on the island, and a bridge was constructed.
Then in 1654, when a permit was issued for the building of “yadokatakasegi (commercial facilities),” large “yuzaya (public bath facilities),” “kosen-yado (inns with low-temperature springs)” and “uchiyu-yado (inns with indoor springs)” were built. In 1674, the Kaga Domain ordered therenaming of Wakuura to Wakura to prevent misspelling of the name. After that, the popularity of Wakura spread quickly, and it came to be visited by courtiers from as far away as Kyoto and wealthy merchants, painters and haiku poets from Osaka.