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9 Incredible Aomori Onsen Hot Spring Villages & Ryokan

9 Incredible Aomori Onsen Hot Spring Villages & Ryokan

  • Written by: Guest Contributor
Last updated: 26 September 2025

Aomori Prefecture is home to so many onsen hot springs, that it once ranked first in Japan in the number of public baths!

Many of the hot springs in this natural wonderland are of exceptional quality and constitute a mix of both popular springs known throughout the prefecture and “secret” springs known only to savvy local aficionados.

Aomori is home not only to highly frequented hot spring areas like the Hakkoda and Towada areas, but also those in the Tsugaru region, Hirosaki and Aomori cities, Kazamaura Village on the Shimokita Peninsula, as well as large-scale open-air baths facing the Sea of Japan. Here are nine of Aomori’s top hot spring villages and inns!

 
Table of Contents
  1. 1. Sukayu Onsen: Hiba Sennin Bath with its impressive presence
  2. 2. Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land: Heal yourself in an apple bath
  3. 3. Asamushi Onsen: Enjoy ocean view bathing at “Tohoku’s Atami”
  4. 4. Dake Onsen: A cloudy hot spring at the foot of Mt. Iwaki
  5. 5. Shimofuro Onsen: Where sulfur springs and hot water become addictive
  6. 6. Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen: Enjoy a secret hot spring in an area without radio waves or electricity
  7. 7. Owani Onsen: A traditional hot spring with a history of over 800 years
  8. 8. Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen: A large-scale open-air bath on the shores of the Sea of Japan
  9. 9. Gonohe Makiba Onsen: A farm-born, free-flowing hot spring

1. Sukayu Onsen: Hiba Sennin Bath with its impressive presence

The large mixed bathing communal “Hiba Sennin Bath”
The large mixed bathing communal “Hiba Sennin Bath”

Sukayu Onsen, nestled in the Hakkoda Mountains near Aomori City, is one of Japan’s most renowned hot springs. Despite its location in a region known for heavy snowfall, it continues to attract devoted hot spring enthusiasts year-round. The strongly acidic sulfur waters are said to help ease ailments such as rheumatism, neuralgia, and digestive issues.

Its highlight is the vast mixed-bathing “Hiba Sennin Bath,” a pillarless hall the size of 160 tatami mats, entirely lined with aromatic Hiba wood from Aomori Prefecture, creating a striking and atmospheric setting. In winter, visitors from around the world come to pair the area’s famous skiing with a rejuvenating soak. For women who prefer privacy, the facility also offers women-only bathing times as well as bath-wear rentals.

“Sukayu Onsen” in the snowy mountains of Hakkoda
“Sukayu Onsen” in the snowy mountains of Hakkoda

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

  • Sukayu Onsen
    酸ヶ湯温泉
    • Address 50 Yusawa, Arakawayama Kokuyurin, Arakawa-minami, Aomori-shi, Aomori-ken 030-0111
    • Phone Number 017-738-6400
    • ・Phone: 017-738-6400
      ・Hours: Hiba Sennin Bath 7 AM–6 PM (8 AM–9 AM women only), Tama no Yu 9 AM–5 PM
      ・Admission: Adults 1,000 yen, children 500 yen (tax included)
      ・Access: From JR Shin-Aomori Station, take the JR bus and get off at Sukayu Onsen-mae bus stop
      ・Closed: Irregular closures (please check website)

2. Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land: Heal yourself in an apple bath

The “Apple Bath” effectively relieves fatigue and stress (Photo courtesy of Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land)
The “Apple Bath” effectively relieves fatigue and stress (Photo courtesy of Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land)

Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land, located in Hirakawa City at the southern edge of the Tsugaru Plain, is an apple-themed hot spring inn true to its name. Its signature “apple bath,” filled with whole floating apples, releases a gentle fragrance that calms the mind.

The apples are believed to moisturize the skin and improve circulation, earning the spring a reputation as one of Tohoku’s best for enhancing beauty. In addition to the apple bath, the hotel offers a variety of other indoor and open-air baths for guests to enjoy.

“Neputa no Yu Manten no Yu” is closest to the source (Photo courtesy of Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land)
“Neputa no Yu Manten no Yu” is closest to the source (Photo courtesy of Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land)

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

  • Hot Spring Minamida Spa Hotel Apple Land
    南田温泉ホテルアップルランド
    • Address 166-3 Minamita, Machii, Hirakawa-shi, Aomori-ken 036-0114
    • Phone Number 0172-44-3711
    • ・Hours: Large communal Apple Bath 10:30 AM–2:30 PM (last reception 2 PM), Neputa no Yu Manten no Yu 9 AM–9 PM (last reception 8:30 PM)
      ・Admission: Apple Bath 550 yen, Neputa no Yu Manten no Yu 450 yen (tax included)
      ・Access: Approximately a 15-minute walk from Konan Railway Hiraka Station
      ・Closed: Open daily (day-trip bathing; accommodation has irregular closures, check website for details)
      ・Other information: Information and signs available in English, Korean, and Chinese

3. Asamushi Onsen: Enjoy ocean view bathing at “Tohoku’s Atami”

Nambuya Kaisenkaku hot spring inn’s observation bath (Photo courtesy of Nambuya Kaisenkaku)
Nambuya Kaisenkaku hot spring inn’s observation bath (Photo courtesy of Nambuya Kaisenkaku)

Asamushi Onsen, located on the Natsudomari Peninsula just outside Aomori City, is often called “Tohoku’s Atami” for its ocean-view inns and hotels reminiscent of the famous resort in Shizuoka Prefecture.

The clear, gentle waters are known for their smooth texture and are said to help ease neuralgia, rheumatism, and gynecological ailments. Visitors can enjoy the baths on a day trip or as overnight guests, with the “Yu-sa Asamushi” roadside station offering an observation bath that overlooks the sea.

After a soothing soak, a walk along Sunset Beach Asamushi to watch the evening sky is a perfect way to round out the experience at this scenic coastal hot spring.

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

  • Asamushi Onsen
    • Address Asamushi Onsen Tourism Association, 70 Asamushi Hotarudani, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, 039-3501
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Asamushionsen Station (Aoimori Tetsudo)
      20 minutes by car
    • Phone Number 017-752-3250

4. Dake Onsen: A cloudy hot spring at the foot of Mt. Iwaki

Hotels and inns in the onsen village also accept day trips (Photo courtesy of Dake Onsen Yamano Hotel)
Hotels and inns in the onsen village also accept day trips (Photo courtesy of Dake Onsen Yamano Hotel)

Dake Onsen, in the Iwaki district of Hirosaki City, traces its origins back some 350 years, when legend says a wounded fox healed its injuries by bathing in the springs.

The milky waters, rich with the distinct scent of sulfur, have long been cherished for their therapeutic properties. They are believed to help with conditions such as athlete’s foot, chronic skin infections, and eczema. Set at the foot of Mt. Iwaki, the onsen offers a tranquil setting ideal for rest and renewal.

The Iwaki district where Dake Onsen is located
The Iwaki district where Dake Onsen is located

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

  • Dake Onsen
    嶽温泉
    • Address Yunosawa Tokiwano, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-1345

5. Shimofuro Onsen: Where sulfur springs and hot water become addictive

At “Kaikyo no Yu” you can enjoy water from two sources, Oyu and Shinyu (Photo courtesy of Yukaimura HP)
At “Kaikyo no Yu” you can enjoy water from two sources, Oyu and Shinyu (Photo courtesy of Yukaimura HP)

Shimofuro Onsen, in Kazamaura—the northernmost village of Honshu—has long been celebrated as “a hot spring good for every ailment.”

Its twin sources, Oyu and Shinyu, are said to be especially effective for cuts, burns, and chronic skin conditions. The milky, sulfur-scented waters have an almost addictive appeal, all while offering bathers sweeping views of the Tsugaru Strait.

Old-fashioned hot spring town
Old-fashioned hot spring town

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

6. Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen: Enjoy a secret hot spring in an area without radio waves or electricity

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,” surrounded by rivers and mountains (Photo courtesy of Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen)
“Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen,” surrounded by rivers and mountains (Photo courtesy of Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen)
An open-air bath where lamp lights create a fantastic atmosphere (Photo courtesy of Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen)
An open-air bath where lamp lights create a fantastic atmosphere (Photo courtesy of Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen)

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)

7. Owani Onsen: A traditional hot spring with a history of over 800 years

The one-day “Owani no Yu” hot spring in the “Wani-come” regional exchange center (Photo courtesy of Owani Town Regional Exchange Center Wan-come)
The one-day “Owani no Yu” hot spring in the “Wani-come” regional exchange center (Photo courtesy of Owani Town Regional Exchange Center Wan-come)

The town of Owani, often called the “Okuzashiki of Tsugaru,” is surrounded by lush greenery and blessed with abundant nature. Its main source, Yu no Sato, has a history of over 800 years and flows with clear, mildly saline waters.

Gentle on the skin and easy to bathe in, the spring is said to help ease neuralgia and rheumatic ailments. Its warmth lingers long after a soak, making it especially inviting during the colder months.

Owani is dotted with hot spring facilities where visitors can enjoy the same public baths beloved by locals. A leisurely stroll through the retro-style hot spring town after bathing offers yet another way to savor its timeless atmosphere.

Owani is popular hot spring village with a footbath in front of the station.
Owani is popular hot spring village with a footbath in front of the station.

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

8. Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen: A large-scale open-air bath on the shores of the Sea of Japan

Furofushi Onsen with its impressive gourd-shaped bath (Photo courtesy of Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen)
Furofushi Onsen with its impressive gourd-shaped bath (Photo courtesy of Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen)

In Fukaura, southwestern Aomori, the inn Furofushi Onsen offers natural hot springs flowing straight from the source. Its name carries the promise that “bathing here will keep you from growing old or weak.”

The reddish-brown waters are renowned for their excellent heat retention, moisturizing and soothing qualities, and skin-nourishing minerals. The highlight is the Seaside Open-air Bath, set just a meter from the Sea of Japan, where visitors from across the country come to experience the remarkable sense of merging with the sea.

Day-trippers can also enjoy any of the inn’s three springs: the indoor Kogane no Yu, the open-air Furofushi no Yu, and the famed Seaside Open-air Bath. No matter which you choose, soaking with the Sea of Japan stretching before you is an unforgettable experience.

“Seaside open-air bath” by the powerful Sea of Japan (Photo courtesy of Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen)  *One-day bathing in the open-air bath available only until 16:00 (last entry at 15:30), after which only overnight guests are allowed
“Seaside open-air bath” by the powerful Sea of Japan (Photo courtesy of Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen) *One-day bathing in the open-air bath available only until 16:00 (last entry at 15:30), after which only overnight guests are allowed

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

9. Gonohe Makiba Onsen: A farm-born, free-flowing hot spring

An open-air bath that flows directly from the source (Photo courtesy of Gonohe Makiba Onsen)
An open-air bath that flows directly from the source (Photo courtesy of Gonohe Makiba Onsen)

Gonohe Makiba Onsen, tucked away in the southern Aomori town of Gonohe, is a secluded hot spring inn named after a spring discovered on a farm. Its clear, silky waters are prized for their ability to warm the body deeply, making them popular for relieving poor circulation, rheumatism, neuropathy, and fatigue.

The inn features a spacious communal bath, an inviting open-air bath, a far-infrared sauna, and even private in-room baths for guests to enjoy at their leisure.

A spacious public bath area with a bubble bath and a cold bath (Photo courtesy of Gonohe Makiba Onsen)
A spacious public bath area with a bubble bath and a cold bath (Photo courtesy of Gonohe Makiba Onsen)

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

  • Comfort Hotel Hachinohe
    • Address 2-16 Shiriuchimachi, Hachinohe-shi, Aomori, 039-1101
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Hachinohe Station (Hachinohe Line / Tohoku Shinkansen / Hokkaido Shinkansen / Aoimori Tetsudo)
      4 minutes on foot

    Vacancy search, reservation

    Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.

  • Gonohe Makiba Onsen
    五戸まきば温泉
    • Address 3 Nashirozawa, Gonohe-machi, Sannohe-gun, Aomori-ken 039-1522
    • Phone Number 0178-62-5511
    • ・Hours: 5 AM–10 PM
      ・Admission: Adults (junior high school students and above) 450 yen, children 100 yen (tax included)
      ・Access: Approximately 20 minutes by taxi from JR Hachinohe Station
      ・Closed: Open daily

    Vacancy search, reservation

    Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.

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

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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