Recommended day-trip hot springs to stop by while exploring Towada and Oirase
The Towada/Oirase area is full of places to explore with spectacular scenery, including Lake Towada, the Oirase mountain stream, and Mount Hakkouda. After a full day of sightseeing, a soak in a high-quality hot spring is the perfect way to end the day. From hidden hot springs in the quiet mountains to historic hot springs and hot springs made entirely of hiba (cypress), here are some hot spring spots where you can enjoy the hot springs with free-flowing hot-spring water.
<Recommended hot springs in Towada and Oirase
1Tsuta Hot spring ryokan
A rare, pure hot spring in the country, with a spring water source that is free-flowing.
Izuyu springs from a hillside in Minami-Hakkouda, a remote area of Aomori Prefecture. It has a deep history, and it is said that there was already a hot-spring cure hut in the 3rd year of the Heian period (1147).
Currently, it is popular as a "souce-of-spring-spring-sinkling" hot spring, which is rare in Japan. The bathtub is located above the source of the spring, and hot water beads gush out from the bottom plate, allowing visitors to soak in the spring water before it comes into contact with the air. The spring water is a sodium-calcium-sulfate-hydrogencarbonate-chloride spring that is said to relieve symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatism. You can enjoy it at "Kyuan-no-yu" and "Senkyo-no-yu.
The rest area is built with the elegance of a long-established hotel.
The bathrooms in the main building, built in 1918, are constructed using Aomori hiba (cypress) and beech wood. The "Kyuan-no-yu" is especially popular for its cozy, old-fashioned atmosphere. The "Izumi-kyo no Yu" has a 12-meter-high ceiling beam, giving it a sense of openness.
The rest area Azumashi-dokoro "Kaede-no-Ma" has a magnificent floor post made from a 400-year-old maple tree and carved ranma made from driftwood from the Oirase mountain stream. The window overlooks the garden, where guests can relax in rocking chairs.
Inside the building, there is a museum dedicated to Omachi Keigetsu, a literary figure from the Meiji period with close ties to Tsuta Hot Spring, which can be visited free of charge.
- Tsuta Hot Spring Ryokan
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1 Tsutanoyu, Okuse-aza, Towada-shi, Aomori MAP
Approximately 51 minutes from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station by car, 60 minutes from Aomori Railway Misawa Station by car.
From JR Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts Station, take the JR Mizuumi bus bound for Towadako (rest stop), approx. 105 min. from Tsuta Onsen Bus Stop.
7:00-9:00 (last admission at 8:30), 10:00-16:00 (last admission at 15:30)
Kuyasu no Yu" 7:00-8:00, 10:00-12:00 for women, 13:00-16:00 for men
Morning baths (7:00-9:00) are open for a limited time from late April to mid-November (closed in August and October).
Closed on weekends and holidays
800 yen for junior high school students and older, 500 yen for elementary school students, free for preschool children, free to visit the Omachi Keigetsu Museum
0176-74-2311 (7:00-22:00)
Free of charge
2Yachi hot spring
Soak in freshly bubbling hot springs in a hidden hot spring in Hakkoda
This is one of the most secluded hot springs in Japan, tucked away in the mountains of Hakkouda. Both the men's and women's baths have "lower hot water" and "upper hot water," and both can be enjoyed with free-flowing hot-spring water. The hot spring is a mildly acidic simple hot spring that is gentle to the skin and is said to be effective for back pain and atopic dermatitis.
In particular, the "lower hot water" offers a long soak in 38°C water and is expected to relieve neuralgia, arthritis, and fatigue. The men's bath is clear and colorless, with the source gushing directly out from under the bathtub, and the fresh water is rising up as a hot water ball. The women's bath is the same fountainhead, but it is a little exposed to the air, so it has a cloudy appearance.
A chance to see a wild marten
The "Kami-no-yu" is a muddy 42°C hot spring rich in sulfur, and its quality is simple sulfur hot spring. It is said to be effective for skin problems such as rashes, cuts, and atopic dermatitis, neuralgia, menstrual disorders, and gastrointestinal diseases. When bathing, it is recommended to soak for 30 minutes to an hour in the lower, tepid "lower bath" to acclimate the body, followed by a 5- to 10-minute soak in the hotter "upper bath.
After bathing, visitors can relax in the free rest area, which also serves as a cafeteria, and from December to April, wild marten may be seen outside the window.
- Yachi hot spring
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- 1 Horyo-taniji, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 42 min. from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station, approx. 64 min. from Aomori Railway Misawa Station by car.
- Approx. 79 min. by JR Bus "Mizuumi" bound for Towadako (rest house) from JR and Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts Stations, approx. 5 min. walk from "Yaji Hot Spring" bus stop.
- 10:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30, meals 11:00-13:00)
- Closed on weekends and holidays
- 600 yen for junior high school students and older, free for elementary school students and younger
- 0176-74-1181
- Free of charge
3Hotel Pony Onsen, an inn with natural hot spring baths
Enjoy the beauty of hot spring water in a variety of baths
The natural hot springs offer a wide variety of baths. The baths boast alkaline hot springs called "Bijin-no-yu" (hot water of beauty), which exfoliate the skin and make it smooth. It also contains abundant metasilicic acid, a natural moisturizing ingredient, which is said to help plump and rejuvenate the skin. In the Public hot spring, not only the spacious main bathtub, but also the bubble bath and the hitting water bath are luxuriously flowing from the source of natural hot spring water.
In addition, there is a dry sauna made of "Aomori hiba" (cypress), a ceramic plate bath that warms the body with the far-infrared radiation effect of radium, and a water bath, allowing guests to fully enjoy the six baths.
Outdoor hot springs with panoramic views of the Hakkoda mountain range
There is also an outdoor hot spring in a separate building with a great view. The view over the hedges of the baths is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the ears of rice turn golden, and at sunset, when the mountains are tinged with the color of red. The indoor baths are made of Aomori hiba (cypress), and the warmth of the hiba's texture and pleasant fragrance will soothe you.
Once a month, couples who visit the bathhouse together pay the same price as one person, and every Saturday is "Kids' Day," when they can win a glass of juice by playing rock-paper-scissors with a Staff/staff member.
- Hotel Pony Hot Spring
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- 167-1 Saiwabata, Sanbongi, Towada-shi, Aomori MAP
- 23 min. drive from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station, 29 min. drive from Aoimori Railway Misawa Station
- 5:00-22:00 (last admission at 21:30)
- Open daily (Outdoor hot springs are open Tuesdays from 10:00 to 15:00)
- Public hot spring: Junior high school students and older: 360 yen, Elementary school students: 150 yen, Children 3 and older: 60 yen, Children 2 and younger: free
Outdoor hot springs (including annexed indoor baths): junior high school students and older: 510 yen, elementary school students from 3 years old to 250 yen, children under 2 years old free of charge - 0176-23-4836
- Free of charge
4Aqua Therapy hot spring Mori Land
A hot spring built entirely of hiba (Japanese cypress), where you can lie on your back.
This is one of the largest drop-in bathhouses in Rokunohe Town, the eastern neighbor of Towada City. Many people from outside of the prefecture visit on weekends, as it is cheaper than a public bath and offers a full range of hot spring baths.
The Public hot spring is famous for its all hiba (Japanese cypress) construction, with the spring water flowing freely from the source. The alkaline sodium chloride spring water is said to remove dirt from the skin and make it smooth, while the salt content coats the skin, making it hard to cool down. The bathroom is filled with hot spring mist so that you can enjoy the high quality hot spring to your heart's content, and you can lie on the floor using the hot water overflowing from the bathtub as a futon. The bathtub is filled with hot spring mist so that you can enjoy the high quality of the hot spring to your heart's content.
A day-trip hot spring loved by the locals, with a wide variety of baths
This Property has been a place of relaxation and recreation for the local community for almost 30 years since its opening. It has an established reputation for the variety of baths it offers. In addition to two outdoor hot springs for men and one outdoor hot spring for women, the indoor baths with showers include a high-temperature bath (about 43°C), a medium-temperature bath (about 41°C), and a running water bath with a jet stream. In the rest area with tatami mats, you can enjoy a local atmosphere with the local language. At the souvenir corner in the lobby, visitors can purchase handmade pickles and other local delicacies.
- Aqua Therapy Hot Spring Moriland
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- 34-1 Oaza-Orimo Aza-Torikuroyachi, Rokunohe Town, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture MAP
- 14 min. drive from Misawa Station on Aoimori Railway, 26 min. drive from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station.
- 5:30-22:00
- 3rd Thursday of the month (open Jan. and Aug.)
- Junior high school students and older: 370 yen, elementary school students: 150 yen, preschool children: free
- 0176-70-0550
- Free of charge
5Motoyu Sarukura hot spring
A hidden hot spring with five hot springs, also at the source of the hot springs around Lake Towada
A natural hot spring Property located in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Standing deep in the mountains where there is no cell phone reception, it is the only one in Aomori Prefecture recognized as a member of the "Association for the Protection of Japan's Hidden Hot Springs.
It has five hot springs, and the amount of hot water is so abundant that a portion is shared with hotels and ryokans in the Yakeyama Hot Spring Village around Lake Towada. The simple hot springs, rich in sulfur, are of course free-flowing. It is said to be effective for cuts, skin diseases, women's diseases, high blood pressure, etc. The pale blue murky water is also popular. It is not only a popular place to relieve fatigue on the way back from climbing Hakkouda, but also attracts many hot spring fans from all over Japan.
Outdoor hot springs surrounded by the magnificent nature
There are separate indoor and outdoor hot springs for men and women, each made of hiba (Japanese cypress), and a "natural steam bath" where the steam from the hot spring promotes perspiration. The outdoor hot springs are particularly special, where visitors can enjoy the clean air and natural beauty of the area. Because it is located at an altitude of about 850 meters, the maximum temperature is about 25 degrees Celsius even in summer. The warmth of the hot spring is comfortable, and is especially recommended around June, when the young leaves of the beech trees are budding, and during the season of autumn leaves, when the surrounding area turns red and yellow.
Original towels are also popular as a souvenir of your visit. Towels embroidered with the Hakkoda mountains are available from late April to mid-September, after the winter closure, and towels embroidered with the autumn leaves are available after that time.
- Motoyu Sarukura hot spring
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- 1 Sarukura, Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori MAP
- 46 min. drive from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station, 67 min. drive from Aomori Railway Misawa Station
- From JR Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts Station, approx. 75 min. by JR bus "Mizuumi" bound for Towadako (rest house), approx. 6 min. walk from "Sarukura Hot Spring" stop.
- Late April - October 9:00 - 15:00
- Monday-Friday (except holidays)
- Junior high school students and older: 500 yen, 3 years old to elementary school students: 300 yen, 2 years old and younger: free
- 080-5227-1296
- Free of charge
6Nonohana Yakeyama-so
Hot spring baths with free-flowing hot-spring water that you can stop by in conjunction with sightseeing in Oirase
Located in Towadako Hot Spring Village, the gateway to the Oirase Stream, it is an easy stop before or after a stroll along the stream or sightseeing at Lake Towada. Simple hot springs rich in sulfur and calcium are drawn from Sarukura Hot Springs located at the foot of Mount Hakkoda. The temperature is adjusted according to the amount of hot water without adding water or heating the water, so the soft, skin-friendly water remains as it is. The hot spring water is poured over the body, and is said to relieve stiff shoulders, muscle pain, cold, and inflammation of the respiratory organs.
There are two bathrooms, each with an indoor bath and an outdoor stone bath, and the men's and women's baths are switched by the hour.
Elegant rest after bathing with a meal and private room plan
The indoor bath is made of "Aomori hiba" (Aomori hiba), whose fragrance is said to have relaxing and sterilizing effects. The baths are full of Japanese style and relax the body and mind. The outdoor hot spring baths offer a view of the changing colors of the seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in early summer, and autumn leaves in fall. The view in winter, when the ground is covered with snow, is especially charming and unique to the area.
Although there is no free rest room in the inn, a set plan that includes bathing, a 3-hour rest in a Japanese-style room, and a 7-course KAI Local Flavors meal is recommended for those who want to relax after bathing.
- Nonohana Yakeyama-so
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- 64-225 Yakiyama, Horyo, Towada-shi, Aomori MAP
- 51 min. by car from Aomori Railway Misawa Stn.
- From JR Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts Station, take JR Bus "Mizuumi" No. 117 bound for Towadako (rest house). 3 min. walk from Towada Onsenkyo Bus Stop.
- 13:30-19:00 (last admission at 18:00; "Private room and meal plan" available from 11:00) *Inquiries required before visiting.
- Closed on weekends and holidays
- 600 yen for junior high school students and older, 300 yen for 3-year-olds to elementary school students, 150 yen for 2-year-olds and younger *Subject to change after October 2019
Private room and meal plan 4,620 yen (bath tax not included) - 0176-74-2345 (Reservations accepted 8:00-21:00)
- Free of charge
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
- Junya Kudo DIY Men
Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Misawa, Aomori Prefecture- Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts
- Hot spring ryokan where you can fully experience Aomori culture such as festivals, hot springs, and local performing arts.
Towada, Aomori Prefecture- Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts
- The only resort hotel built on the banks of the Oirase mountain stream. You can enjoy the nature of the national park throughout the year.
Owani Onsen, Aomori Prefecture- Hoshino Resorts KAI Tsugaru
- Hot spring ryokan to enjoy the culture of Tsugaru and its four seasons. You can also enjoy the water garden of Tsugaru's four seasons, which changes its expression with each season.