Sukayu Onsen, located in the Hakkoda mountains near Aomori City, is one of Japan’s leading hot springs and is consistently visited by hot spring enthusiasts despite being located in a heavy snowfall area. Springing from a strongly acid source, this sulfur spring is relied upon to remedy the effects of rheumatism, neuralgia, gastrointestinal diseases, and more.

The large mixed bathing pillar-less “Hiba Sennin Bath,” which is the size of a 160-tatami mat room, is lined with Hiba wood from Aomori Prefecture, resulting in an impressive atmosphere. In winter, tourists come from all over the world to ski and enjoy the hot springs. For women who prefer to avoid mixed bathing, there is a women-only bathing time as well as bath-wear sold at the facility.

Onsen Properties
・Features: A hot spring inn in the mountains of Hakkoda, famous for its large mixed bathing “Hiba Sennin Bath.”
・Spring quality: Acidic sulfur spring (gypsum-containing, acidic hydrogen sulfide spring, tension hypotonic hot spring)
・Other Information: Bathers with tattoos can get free tattoo-covering stickers at the front desk

Recommended Hotels Nearby

Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land in Hirakawa City, at the southern end of the Tsugaru Plain, is, as the name suggests, an apple-centric hot spring inn. Its famous “apple bath” features whole, floating apples, and the sweet scent soothes the mind.

The apples are thought to have a skin moisturizing effect and promote blood circulation, making the spring one of the Tohoku region’s best for beautiful skin. The hotel also has other springs and open-air baths to enjoy.

Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land Information
・Features: A hot spring inn where you can enjoy unique springs like the “Apple Bath”
・Spring quality: Weakly alkaline beauty spring

Recommended Hotels Nearby

Asamushi Onsen is located near Aomori City on the Natsudomari Peninsula. It is known as “Tohoku’s Atami” because its ocean-view hotels and inns are reminiscent of those found in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture.

The colorless, transparent hot water has a soft texture and is said to be effective against symptoms of neuralgia, rheumatism, and gynecological illnesses.

Asamushi Onsen welcomes both day-trip bathers and overnight guests at its hotels and inns and even has an observation bath at the “Yu-sa Asamushi” roadside station.

After bathing, a stroll along “Sunset Beach Asamushi” to watch the sunset is an excellent way to enjoy this beautifully situated resort even more.

Asamushi Onsen Information
・Features: A moving hot spring town along the coast, with seasonal scenery
・Scale of hot spring area: There are about 9 large hotels and inns
・Spring quality: Sodium, calcium-sulfate, chloride spring
・Main Hotels: Nambuya Kaisenkaku, Asamushi Sakura Kanko Hotel, Tsubakikan

Recommended Hotels Nearby

Dake Onsen, located in the Iwaki district of Hirosaki City in the Tsugaru region, is said to have been discovered about 350 years ago when a wounded fox bathed the hot springs.

The long-popular resort’s waters are cloudy and have a strong smell of sulfur. They’re thought to be effective against mycoses (athlete’s foot), chronic pyoderma, and chronic eczema. With an exceptional location at the foot of Mt. Iwaki, it’s perfect for relaxing and recharging.

Dake Onsen Information
・Features: A sulfur spring at the foot of Mt. Iwaki
・Scale of hot spring area: There are about 6 hotels and inns
・Access: From JR Hirosaki Station, take the Konan Bus and get off at Dake Onsen-mae bus stop (about 40 minutes)
・Spring quality: sulfur/sulfate springs
・Main Hotels: Yamano Hotel|a, Dake Hotel, Jomonjn no Yado

Recommended Hotels Nearby

Shimofuro Onsen, located in Kazamaura, the northernmost village on Honshu, is a resort that's been historically praised as “a good hot spring that is effective against all diseases.”

The twin “Oyu” and “Shinyu” springs provide effective relief for cuts, burns, and chronic skin diseases. The cloudy, sulfur-scented water is almost addictive and offers a wide view of the Tsugaru Strait.

Shimofuro Onsen information
・Features: A hot spring village that has been around since the Muromachi period, overlooking the Tsugaru Straits
・Scale of hot spring area: There are about 10 hotels, inns, and guest houses.
・Access: From JR Shimokita Station, take the Shimokita Kotsu Bus and get off at Shimofuro Onsen bus stop (about 70 minutes)
・Spring quality: Sulfur spring
・Main Hotels: Maruhon Ryokan, Hotel New Shimofuro, Satsukiso Inn

Kuroishi City is located in the center of Aomori Prefecture. Not only is “Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen” located in a mountainous area with no cell phone signal, but the inn itself has no electricity. Surrounded by abundant nature and lit only by lamp lights at night, it truly has the feeling of an unexplored region.

The springs are colorless, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and have a reputation for being effective against neuralgia, muscle pain, and joint pain. There are four types of open-air and indoor baths. Why not forget about work in a signal-free environment as you soak in the hot springs?

Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen Information
・Features: A hot spring inn lit only with lamp light where you can enjoy 4 types of bath
・Spring quality: Simple hot spring (colorless, transparent, tasteless, and odorless)

The town of Owani has long been known as the “Okuzashiki of Tsugaru” and is blessed with abundant nature and greenery. The source of Yu no Sato boasts a history of more than 800 years and is a colorless, transparent weak salt spring.

Said to be effective for relieving the symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatic diseases, the smoothing-feeling waters are easy to wash in. The spring will keep you feeling warm even after you get out, and you’ll definitely want to spend ample time in the hot water, especially in colder months.

The town is dotted with hot spring facilities where you can easily experience public baths familiar to local residents, and everyone has their own way of enjoying them. Taking a walk through the retro hot spring town after a bath is also recommended.

Owani Onsen Information
・Features: A hot spring village with a good old-fashioned atmosphere, and an 800-year history
・Scale of hot spring area: There are about 8 hotels and inns
・Access: Get off at JR Owanionsen Station
・Spring quality: Chloride-sulfate spring
・Main Hotels: Fujiya Hotel, Hoshino Resorts Kai Tsugaru, Yamani Senyukan

Recommended Hotels Nearby

In Fukaura, in southwestern Aomori, there’s an inn where you can enjoy hot springs that flow directly from their source called “Furofushi Onsen.”

The name implies that “If you bathe here, you will not get old or weak,” and the reddish-brown waters have excellent heat retention and moisturizing effects, bactericidal and soothing effects, and are rich in skin-beautifying elements.

The most popular bath is the “Seaside Open-air Bath,” a mere 1 meter from the Sea of Japan. Tourists from all over the country come to enjoy the feeling of oneness with the sea.

Day bathing is an option in the three springs: indoor “Kogane no Yu,” open-air “Furofushi no Yu,” and the Seaside Open-air Bath. Soaking in any of them with the Sea of Japan right in front of you is a unique experience.

Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen Information
・Features: A hot spring that flows directly from its source in front of the Sea of Japan
・Spring quality: Iron-containing-sodium-chloride strong salt spring (hypertonic neutral high hot spring)
・Other Information: Japanese, English, Chinese information available (including pictograms), tattoos prohibited

Gonohe Makiba Onsen, located in Gonohe in southern Aomori, is a secluded inn named after a spring found on a farm. The colorless, transparent, silky hot water is effective for treating poor circulation, rheumatism, and neuropathy, recovering from fatigue, and is popular for being difficult to cool.

In addition to the large communal bath, there is also an open-air bath, a far-infrared sauna, and in-room baths for guests.

Gonohe Makiba Onsen Information
・Features: A hot spring inn that is popular for its smooth, soft water
・Spring quality: Sodium chloride spring

Recommended Hotels Nearby

The Aomori style of hot spring bathing is to enjoy not only the source and efficacy of a spring, but also the location itself. The natural beauty of each season changes the scenery around open-air baths, so be sure to take a hot spring tour in different seasons!

Text by: Tsubasa Shimoda
*The information in this article is accurate as of June 2021. Please check official websites for the latest information.

English translation by Gabriel Wilkinson