Thanks to its dense volcanic system, Japan boasts more than 27,000 natural hot spring resorts. Nyuto Onsen in Akita Prefecture is a peaceful hot spring village nestled among the majestic mountains of the Tohoku region. The village is nestled within the Towada Hachimantai National Park in the Tazawako district of Semboku, a city in the eastern part of Akita Prefecture, famous for its picturesque virgin beech forests. With its charming natural scenery and classic beauty, the village is known as a "hidden gem" of Japan.
Japan is considered one of the countries with the most abundant hot spring resources in the world.
Nyuto Onsen is inspired by the evocative image of Mt. Nyuto Onsen. All the hot spring baths in Nyuto Onsen belong to ryokan (traditional inns), each with its own unique beauty. Nyuto Onsen hot spring village consists of 8 inns: Ogama Onsen, Ganiba Onsen, Kyukamura Nyuto-onsen-kyo, Taenoyu, Tsurunoyu Onsen, Tsurunoyu Onsen - Yamanoyado, Magoroku Onsen, Kuroyu Onsen. All have unique hot spring sources and different water quality.
These inns not only welcome overnight guests, but also allow day-trippers to visit the baths at certain times at a reduced cost. These inns allow guests to bathe together in open-air baths, but many are gender-segregated.
Nyuto Onsen has eight traditional inns located close together with the oldest ryokan having a history of over 300 years.
Onsen is a form of hot spring bathing typical of Japanese culture, formed from thousands of years ago. Bathing in onsen is when your body is most relaxed, the pressure of the water and beneficial minerals will stimulate your internal organs to function faster and more effectively.
Whenever you visit this beautiful resort, you will be able to enjoy the changing seasons around you while bathing, plus it is a perfect place to warm up in the winter. Each ryokan has rooms for overnight stays, where you can also enjoy traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast, making your stay a real experience. You can purchase a Nyuto Yumeguricho card (hot spring hopping passport) to enjoy all 8 hot springs, allowing you to take advantage of the different waters and minerals. There is also a free shuttle bus to the hot springs.
Most ryokan have open-air baths for men and women, in addition to separate baths for different genders.
Located in the mountains and far from the city, before becoming famous with tourists from Japan as well as from all over the world, Nyuto Onsen used to be a "secret hot spring" area for locals.
In the 1980s, when the "hot spring" fever hit Japan, Nyuto Onsen became famous overnight when a few people shared about it as one of the last few hot spring villages that still retained the ancient Japanese landscape. Gradually, as more and more people became aware of it, this remote village welcomed countless domestic and international tourists every year.
Most visitors are impressed by Nyuto Onsen's classic Japanese atmosphere. The outdoor onsen baths are surrounded by primeval forests and traditional wooden buildings with thatched roofs.
Hot springs in winter
The scenery in this mountainous region becomes even more magical in winter, when the whole place is covered in pure white snow, highlighted by layers of wooden houses and steaming stone onsen baths. Visitors to Nyuto Onsen not only soak in the relaxing baths but also immerse themselves in the wonderful nostalgic atmosphere of this place. That is the main reason why this remote village is loved by tourists all over the world.
With a history of over 300 years, Tsurunoyu is Nyuto Onsen's oldest and most famous inn. It features ancient wooden structures from the Edo period (1603-1867), some of which are equipped with traditional Japanese fireplaces from long ago. This classic ryokan has the perfect atmosphere, transporting guests to a quiet world separate from the outside world, forgetting the busy daily life and considered a place to heal the body and mind.
In addition, other ryokan also wear a classic traditional look that captivates any visitor. Each ryokan has its own unique beauty and is worth exploring.
Nyuto Onsen is a short drive from the picturesque Tazawako volcanic lake, the deepest lake in Japan. There are also many other hot spring towns and hiking trails in the surrounding area, offering beautiful scenery in all four seasons.
