16 Onsen in Yamagata worth your time

A historic hot spring town featuring multi-story wooden architecture and gas-lit streets that evoke early 20th-century Japan.

What it is

• A hot spring resort discovered by silver miners during the 17th century.
• A designated National Recreation Hot Spring Resort in Yamagata Prefecture.
• The filming location for the famous NHK television drama Oshinn.
• A pedestrian-only town center where general vehicles are prohibited from entering.

What to see

• Wooden multi-story buildings from the Taisho and Showa eras lining the river.
• Traditional gas lamps installed along the stone-paved pedestrian paths.
• The Shiroganeyu public bath and Fujiya inn designed by architect Kengo Kuma.
• Shirogane Falls located within the Ginzan Shirogane Park area.
• The Nobesawa Silver Mine caves designated as a national historic site.

When to go

• May to October to see Hanagasa dances performed on the town bridges.

Getting there

• Buses run directly to the hot spring area from Oishida Station.

Read more about Ginzan Onsen

A historic riverside hot spring resort featuring traditional thatched architecture and a unique annual festival involving a wooden deity.

What it is

• A hot spring resort in Hanamaki City featuring weak alkaline simple spring water.
• The site consists of three main buildings including a traditional thatched hall.
• Reportedly discovered by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro during the Heian period.
• A historic retreat for Nanbu clan lords and famous literary figures like Kenji Miyazawa.

What to see

• Five different bathing locations including a famous mixed-gender open-air bath.
• The Kikusui-kan building where Edo period lords once stayed.
• A four-story wing at the Sansuikaku building added in 1986.
• A 150-kilogram wooden phallus deity kept at the Konsei shrine.
• Views of the Toyosawa River from the outdoor bathing area.

When to go

• The Konsei Festival is held annually at the end of April.
• Watch women bathe the wooden deity in the hot spring during the festival.

Read more about Ōsawa Onsen

A historic sulfur hot spring resort on Lake Gosho featuring high-alkalinity waters and views of the surrounding mountains.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located on the scenic shores of Lake Gosho in Morioka City.
• Reportedly discovered by Minamoto no Yoshiie and named after a stone used to tie horses.
• Six source springs provide two thousand liters of simple sulfur water every minute.
• The water features a high alkalinity with pH levels ranging from 8.7 to 9.5.

What to see

• The Tsunagi Onsen Shrine which serves as a central spiritual site for the area.
• Public bathing spots including the Yamaichi hand bath and the Nekoishi foot bath.
• Views of Lake Gosho and nearby attractions like Morioka Handi-Works Square.
• The historic stone that gives the hot spring its name.

When to go

• September 8th for the annual festival held at the Tsunagi Onsen Shrine.
• May through November to visit the local Ichinoichi market.

Read more about Iwate Morioka Tsunagi Hot Spring

A historic riverside hot spring resort dating back to 837, famous for sulfur-rich healing waters and traditional inns.

What it is

• A riverside hot spring resort in Osaki City first recorded in the year 837
• Designated as a National Health Resort for its medicinal sulfur and sodium bicarbonate waters
• Historical healing site where Lord Date Narikuni once sought treatment for beriberi
• Scenic location along the Arao River mentioned by the poet Matsuo Basho

What to see

• Seven traditional hot spring inns and one public bathhouse for visitors
• Onsenishi Shrine where local dedication ceremonies are held
• Natural riverside landscapes along the banks of the Arao River
• Local specialty foods including shisomaki and walnut tofu

When to go

• September for the annual dedication ceremony at Onsenishi Shrine

Getting there

• Access the area via the JR Rikuu East Line at Kawatabi-Onsen Station

Read more about Kawatabi Onsen

A historic collection of seven hot spring inns at the foot of Mount Nyuto within a scenic national park.

What it is

• A collection of seven distinct hot spring lodging facilities at the foot of Mount Nyuto.
• Designated as a National Recreation Hot Spring Resort in 1967.
• Located within the Towada-Hachimantai National Park between 600 and 800 meters elevation.
• Recognized as one of the Top 100 Hidden Scenic Spots in Japan.

What to see

• Seven unique hot spring inns offering different bathing experiences.
• Ipponmatsu Onsen which is a wild hot spring located on a mountain trail.
• Mountain scenery surrounding the resort at the base of Mount Nyuto.

When to go

• Note that Kuroyu Onsen closes during the winter season.

Getting there

• Buses run from Tazawako Station to the resort in 55 minutes.
• Shuttle access is available via the Akita Airport Liner.

Read more about Nyuto Spa Resort

A historic hot spring village in a national park featuring a frequent geyser and diverse therapeutic alkaline and saline waters.

What it is

• A hot spring area in Osaki City within the Kurikoma Quasi-National Park.
• Part of the Naruko Onsen Village group with simple alkaline and saline springs.
• Legendary discovery dates back to the year 270 with 12th-century development.
• Designated as an official People's Recreation Onsen by the government in 1959.

What to see

• The Fukiage Onsen geyser which erupts every ten to fifteen minutes.
• The Katayama Jigoku area featuring a local geothermal power plant.
• Arayu springs originally opened by the Fujiwara clan in the 12th century.
• Official bathhouse sites once designated for use by the Date clan.

Getting there

• Buses run from Naruko-Onsen Station to the hot spring area.
• The bus journey from the station takes approximately thirty minutes.

Read more about Onikōbe Onsen

A historic hot spring in Hanamaki featuring a unique deep bath and connections to famous Japanese literature.

What it is

• A hot spring site in Hanamaki City discovered six hundred years ago.
• Features five alkaline simple hot spring sources used for bathing.
• Home to Fujisan Ryokan, an inn that opened for business in eighteen forty-one.
• Setting for the story Nametoko Mountain Bears by author Kenji Miyazawa.

What to see

• The Shirazaru no Yu bath which measures one point twenty-five meters deep.
• Natural spring water bubbling up directly from the floor of the bath.
• The inn where novelist Tamiya Torahiko wrote his work Gin Shinju.
• Nearby ski resort located in close proximity to the hot spring.

Getting there

• Take a thirty minute bus ride from Hanamaki Station to reach the site.
• Drive twenty minutes from the Hanamaki Minami Interchange to the location.

Read more about Namari Onsen

A high-altitude sulfur hot spring resort in a national park, famous for its medicinal waters and natural gravity-fed baths.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located 750 meters above sea level in Bandai-Asahi National Park.
• Founded between 1532 and 1555 and designated as a National Health Resort in 1999.
• One of the three famous Takayu springs of the historical Ou region.
• A collection of six inns and one public bath using nine distinct spring sources.

What to see

• Natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source using the terrain's elevation.
• High concentrations of sulfur in the milky white spring water.
• Mountainous landscapes surrounding the resort within the national park boundaries.

Getting there

• Take a bus from JR Fukushima Station for a journey of approximately 40 minutes.
• The resort is situated 18 kilometers west of the main Fukushima Station.

Read more about Takayu Onsen

A historic riverside hot spring resort founded in 1796, offering therapeutic mineral baths and proximity to a famous whisky distillery.

What it is

• A hot spring district located along the Hirose River in Sendai City.
• Legend says the monk Gyoki discovered the spring in the year 721.
• Formal development of the resort began in 1796 by Iwamatsu Kisozi.
• The waters contain sodium, calcium, sulfate, and chloride at high temperatures.

What to see

• Natural hot spring baths situated along the banks of the Hirose River.
• The Miyako no Yu facility which offers bathing for day-use visitors.
• The nearby Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery located a short distance away.
• Scenic views of the river valley from the hot spring district.

Getting there

• Access the area via the JR Senzan Line to Sakunami Station.
• Sendai City buses run directly from Sendai Station to the hot spring district.

Read more about Sakunami Onsen

A historic hot spring resort near Aizuwakamatsu featuring therapeutic sulfate waters and a legacy of serving the Aizu Domain.

What it is

• A hot spring resort reportedly discovered by the monk Gyoki.
• One of the three great recreation areas of the Ou region.
• A former resort for the Aizu Domain producing fifteen hundred liters of water per minute.
• A collection of over twenty hotels and inns operating along the Yugawa River.

What to see

• Four major waterfalls including the Rainmaking Waterfall.
• Fudotaki waterfall where Hijikata Toshizo of the Shinsengumi treated his wounds.
• Traditional inns and hotels situated along the banks of the Yugawa River.

When to go

• August for the annual Bon Odori dance festival.

Getting there

• Fifteen minutes by bus from Aizuwakamatsu Station.
• Located three kilometers southeast of Tsuruga Castle.

Read more about Higashiyama Onsen

A historic hot spring town in a national park famous for diverse mineral waters and traditional kokeshi doll craftsmanship.

What it is

• A hot spring resort with over 1400 years of history located in Bandai-Asahi National Park.
• One of the three major production centers for traditional Japanese kokeshi dolls.
• A designated National Health Resort featuring more than ten different types of spring water.
• A former post station on the Aizu Highway situated at an altitude of 450 meters.

What to see

• Traditional kokeshi dolls handcrafted from local dogwood or maple trees.
• Modern geothermal and small-scale hydroelectric power generation facilities established in 2015.
• Natural hot spring sources discovered according to legend by the deity Oomunachi-no-mikoto.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Fukushima Station for a journey of approximately 45 minutes.

Read more about Tsuchiyu Onsen

A historic sulfur hot spring in Towada-Hachimantai National Park featuring traditional ondol heated floor huts for overnight stays.

What it is

• A single hot spring lodge located within Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
• Designated by the government as a National Recreation Hot Spring Resort.
• The facility first began business operations in 1956.
• A sulfur-type spring with a source water temperature of 94 degrees Celsius.

What to see

• Traditional accommodation huts featuring ondol heated floors.
• Natural scenery within the Hachimantai Onsen Resort area.

When to go

• The facility operates seasonally from early May until mid-October.

Getting there

• Accessible by car via the Hachimantai Aspite Line road.
• Located forty minutes from the Matsuo-Hachimantai Interchange by car.

Read more about Ōfuka Onsen

A secluded hot spring in Aomori featuring a chloride spring source and a literary monument dedicated to author Eiji Yoshikawa.

What it is

• A hot spring area located along the upper Asaseishi River in Hirakawa City.
• The site features a chloride spring with a source temperature of 58 degrees Celsius.
• Home to Nurukawa Sanso, a member of the Japan Association of Secluded Hot Springs.
• Part of the Kuroishi Onsenkyo Prefectural Natural Park along National Route 102.

What to see

• The Nurukawa Sanso accommodation facility situated in a secluded mountain setting.
• A literary monument featuring a haiku written by author Eiji Yoshikawa.
• Natural scenery of the upper Asaseishi River and surrounding prefectural park.

When to go

• The Nurukawa Sanso facility closes to visitors during the winter season.

Read more about Nurukawa Onsen

A historic hot spring resort on the Oga Peninsula famous for its unique stone-cooked fish stew and traditional drum performances.

What it is

• A hot spring resort area consisting of Yumoto Onsen and Ishiyama Onsen.
• Yumoto Onsen has a history dating back before the Edo period.
• Ishiyama Onsen originated from water gushing during limestone mining operations.
• The Oga Onsenkyo Ryokan Cooperative was established in 1961 to manage the area.

What to see

• Limestone travertine deposits found around the hot spring town.
• Namahage Fureai Taiko drum performances held within the town.
• The Oga Onsen Exchange Center Gofu which opened in 2007.
• Local restaurants serving Ishiyaki fish stew cooked with hot stones.

Getting there

• Buses run to the hot spring area from Oga and Hadachi Stations.

Read more about Oga Onsen

A hot spring resort in Yamagata known for its mineral-rich waters and deep connection to professional shogi culture.

What it is

• A hot spring resort featuring sodium, calcium, and sulfate mineral waters.
• Hot water was first discovered here in 1911 during well digging.
• The site was originally named Kamada Onsen before changing names in 1924.
• Local inns are famous for hosting professional shogi title matches.

What to see

• Public foot baths and hand baths located throughout the resort area.
• Drinking fountains where visitors can sample the local spring water.
• Numerous hotels and traditional inns situated east of the station.

Getting there

• The resort is located one kilometer east of Tendo Station.
• The site is a seven minute drive from the Tendo Interchange.

Official site

www.tendoonsen.or.jp

Read more about Tendō Onsen

A wild open-air hot spring in Akita featuring rare aragonite mineral deposits and naturally carbonated water from deep underground.

What it is

• A wild open-air hot spring located within a national forest in Kosaka.
• Discovered during a mineral survey in 1974 at a depth of 350 meters.
• A self-responsibility area managed as part of the Hachikuro hot spring group.
• A research site for scientists studying carbon dioxide geological storage.

What to see

• Calcium carbonate deposits that have formed a layer one meter thick.
• Carbon dioxide gas erupting directly from the hot spring source.
• Rare aragonite mineral formations created by the flowing spring water.
• Natural hot water at forty-four degrees Celsius containing iron particles.
• White mineral terraces surrounding the open-air bathing area.

Read more about Oku-oku Hachikuro Onsen