[Miyagi Prefecture] Jigokudani Promenade at Onikobe Onsen! The boiling steam and geysers are truly a sight from hell! ?

“Onikobe Onsen!?” “Jigokudani!?”

When you hear the name alone, you imagine a scary place, but Onikobe Onsen in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture is rich in nature and is one of the few spots in the prefecture where you can feel the breath, breathing, and movement of the earth.

Osaki City Naruko Onsen Character Onikobe

Naruko Onsen, Osaki City Onikobe is a hot spring area located north of Osaki City in the northwestern part of Miyagi Prefecture, and is located in a hot spring area located on a plateau from the middle of Mt. Araodake to the somma rim.

Onikobe Onsen is one of the Naruko Onsen Villages (Naruko Onsen, Higashinaruko Onsen, Kawatari Onsen, Nakayamadaira Onsen, Onikobe Onsen), but there are several surrounding hot springs such as Fukiage Onsen, Todoroki Onsen, Miyazawa Onsen, and Kamidaki Onsen. Including Ikkenjuku Onsen, it is sometimes called Onikobe Onsenkyo.

It is said that this place was already discovered around the 6th year of the Ojin era (270s), but the Engishiki shrine of the Engi era mentions a hot spring shrine in Onikobe Onsen, and the origin of the name Onikobe is Sakagami. There is a legend that this is the place where Otakemaru's head flew when Tamuramaro beheaded him during the Ezo conquest in 801 (Enryaku 8).

The area where Daitakemaru's body was buried is called Onishika, which refers to parts of Minami-cho, Chiyoda-cho, Dai-cho, and Mashiba in present-day Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture.

Past articles in NEFT

[Iwate Prefecture] What is the “Demon Corpse Village” that existed in Iwate during the Meiji period? Approaching the legend and true identity of demons

The legend of Daitakemaru is passed down not only in Onikobe but also in Wakudani, Toda District, and other parts of Miyagi Prefecture.

``Jigokudani Promenade'' where you can see steam rising along the river, natural geysers, and a hellish landscape.

Jigokudani Promenade in Naruko Onsen Village is located about 13 km north of the hot spring village and 5 minutes walk from Fukiage Kogen Campsite.

The parking lot for Jigokudani Promenade has space for about 20 cars, and inside the parking lot, go down the stairs next to the "Jigokudani Promenade Guide Map" sign.

There is "Fukiage Onibashi". Once you cross this bridge, you will be immediately connected to the Jigokudani Promenade, where steam is floating in the air.

↓The photo is "Kaminari no Yu" in guide map ①. Right next to the promenade, there is a vertical crack in the rock that looks like a lightning strike, and steam rises from the gap.

Along the Jigokudani promenade, hot springs gush out from their own bodies at more than 10 locations on both sides of Fukiage-zawa, and high-temperature hot springs gush out in many places right next to the promenade.

Fukiage sawa is a stream that flows into the Arao River at the southwest foot of Mt. Arao. This Arao River is also another name for the Eai River, which is familiar to people in Miyagi Prefecture and the northern part of the prefecture.

The Jigoku Promenade is 1 kilometer long and takes about 30 minutes on foot, but the footings are nicely paved, so you can stroll around without hesitation.

↓ is "Purple Hell" on the guide map ②, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is the best highlight of the Jigokudani promenade.

``Purple Hell'' is a place where high-temperature hot springs are constantly gushing out, and its appearance is compared to the purplish clouds that flow in the paradise of Buddhism.

Previously, it was possible to make hot spring eggs right next to here, but as of 2023, it is no longer available.

After passing the purple hell, the view opens up and there is a small resting space.

It's nice to take a short break in front of the clear stream, but this place is literally called "Hell Valley" and if you stay for a long time, you may get sick from the toxic gas, so please be careful. .

Leave the rest area and move on! I thought so, but there was a sign prohibiting entry just before "Tochinokiyu" on the guide map ⑦, so this was the final stop. (as of 2023)

From here, all you have to do is return the way you came.

The round trip takes about 30 minutes, so I don't think it's too difficult for people with small children or the elderly.

We recommend that you stop by when you come to Naruko Onsen for sightseeing.

Information

• Address: 16 Onikobukiage, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 989-6941
• Business hours: Early May to late November *Entry is prohibited during winter.
• Business hours: 24 hours
• Parking lot: Approximately 20 cars

Google Map

Tiktok videos

@neft_tohoku ``Jigokudani Promenade'' located in Onikobe, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. You can see self-gushing hot springs and geysers in the midst of nature! #Miyagi Prefecture #Naruko Onsen #Onikobe #Jigokudani Promenade ♬ Original song – Tohoku Rocken Trivia Media | NEFT

There are many other sightseeing spots around Jigokudani Promenade.

Naruko Onsen Honguhara, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, where the Jigokudani Promenade is located, is dotted with various facilities that make use of nature.

Fukiage Kogen Campsite

A 5-minute walk from Jigokudani Promenade, this is one of the best free-site campgrounds in Miyagi Prefecture with a completely grassy area. There is a site with electricity (reservations required) and a pet area, but the best part is that you can drive onto the lawn by vehicle, making it a great place for beginners in camping and outdoor activities.

Walking along the Jigokudani promenade while camping is a classic.

Information

• Location: 23-89 Motomiyahara, Onikobe, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Business hours: April 22, 2023 - November 23, 2023
• Operating hours: [Check-in] 9:00-17:00 [Check-out] Until 13:00
  [Day use] 9:00-17:00
• Inquiries: 0229-86-2493

Google Map

Onikobe Kanketsu Izumi

It is also located right next to the Jigokudani promenade, and there are two geysers: ``Benten'', which spews out a 15m geyser every 10 minutes, and ``Unryu'', which spews a 2~3m geyser every 10-20 minutes.

Unlike the mystical hot steaming place of Jigoku Promenade, here you can see the powerful Kanketsu Spring.

Additionally, this facility is recommended for families and couples as it has a shop, a footbath, and a hot spring egg making experience.

Information

• Location: 12 Fukiage, Onikubu, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Business hours: Opening hours 10:00-15:00
• Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
• Admission fee: Adults 500 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen (tax included) Preschool children free
• Facilities in the park: Hand bath, foot bath, hot spring egg making experience, shop, cafeteria (sasamaki okowa)
• Inquiries: 0229-86-2233

Google Map

Fukiage Onsen Mineunkaku

This place is famous for its natural waterfall hot springs, and you can take a bath in the basin of the waterfall within the facility.

The inn, which is worthy of being called a secret hot spring, can accommodate only 8 groups a day, but day trip bathers are also welcome.

Please note that the indoor baths are separate for men and women, but the outdoor bath under the waterfall is a mixed bath.

Information

• Location: 16, Naruko Onsen Onikobukiage, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Business hours (day trip): 10:00-13:00
• Closed days (day trip): Irregular holidays
• Business period (day trip): All year round
• Bathing fee: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for children (3 years old to elementary school students) 
• Inquiries: 0229-86-2243

Google Map