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[Iwate Prefecture] 3 recommended hot springs in Iwate Prefecture that you can choose based on secret hot springs, famous hot springs, and unique spring quality!
[Iwate Prefecture] 3 recommended hot springs in Iwate Prefecture that you can choose based on secret hot springs, famous hot springs, and unique spring quality!
Iwate Prefecture has many volcanoes in the Ou Mountains, including Mt. Iwate, Mt. Hachimantai, Mt. Yakeishi, and Mt. Kurikoma, and there are many hot springs in the surrounding area
There are a variety of hot springs, including hidden hot springs deep in the mountains far from civilization that are closed off when snow accumulates, and famous hot springs close to town where families can enjoy a relaxing bath, and many of them are ranked highly in online hot spring popularity rankings
Here we will introduce some of these hot springs that boast unique spring water qualities that are a little different from those found elsewhere
A very rare hot spring, "Morden no Yu" (Appi Kogen, Hachimantai City)
The name of this unusual hot spring, located on the Appi Plateau, comes from the fact that the spring water springs from a stratum containing a mineral called mordenite
Zeolite
Mordenite is rich in silica and is said to form in cavities in igneous rocks created by volcanoes. Its scientific name is "zeolite," and it contains a lot of sodium and has the ability to adsorb and exchange ions.
The water quality of Morden no Yu a sodium bicarbonate spring (hypotonic, weakly alkaline, high temperature spring) , and the weakly alkaline water feels a little thick on the skin.
It is said that simply soaking in this water has the effect of washing away oil and secretions from the skin, and because of its excellent skin-beautifying properties, it is also known as the "beauty bath" or "rejuvenating bath."
Appi Highlands seen from the summit
This rare hot spring is found only in Ashiro Town, Iwate Prefecture, in the Tohoku region, where there is a layer of mordenite rock, and its spring quality is extremely rare even in Japan
Enjoy the hot spring waters of Morden at Appi Kogen Mori no Hotel
Located in a pension district at the foot of Appi Kogen Ski Resort, this resort hotel uses its own hot spring water, Morden no Yu
The four seasons of Appi Highlands
Guests can choose between Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, and there is a drink service. The large communal bath has an open-air bath, allowing guests to enjoy this rare hot spring bath while feeling the four seasons of Appi Highlands
Meals are creative kaiseki course meals, and all courses feature Iwate's premium brand of beef, Maesawa beef you can taste Ogata Farm beef, which is considered to be of particularly high quality even within the Maesawa beef
Appi Kogen Mori no Hotel <Information>
Facility name: Appi Kogen Mori no Hotel
Address: 605-30 Appikogen, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
The emerald green glow of Kunimi Onsen (Shizukuishi Town, Iwate County)
The emerald green source of Kunimi Onsen (Wikipedia)
Shizukuishi Town, where Koiwai Ranch is located, is known for the hot springs that gush out throughout the town, and among them, Kunimi Onsen is a hidden hot spring known as the "hidden hot spring of the Southern Lord,"
The quality of the beautiful emerald green spring water is subject to change, and the shape and size of the crystals are said to change depending on weather conditions, making the water sometimes lemon-colored or a deep green like matcha
Since the Edo period, the sulfur-containing sodium bicarbonate springto cure all ailments with just one bath , and it is considered a medicinal bath that is effective against gastrointestinal ailments, neuralgia, and skin diseases, attracting many visitors for its healing properties.
The hot spring has a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide, and a large amount of emerald green deposits appear, the same color as the source, which are sold as souvenirs
Although the spring water is drinkable, it tastes surprisingly bad and is rich in minerals, so it is best not to bathe for long periods of time, about 20 to 30 minutes is recommended
As the hot springs are hidden deep in the mountains, the road is closed in winter and are closed from mid-November to early May
Two hidden hot spring inns: Moriyamaso and Ishizuka Ryokan
has two hot spring inns and Kunimi Sanso,
As it is located at the trailhead for Mt. Akita Komagatake, it is visited by many climbers, as well as long-term self-catering hot spring visitors. However, due to natural disasters and deterioration, Ishizuka Ryokan has currently stopped offering self-catering accommodation
There are 15 Japanese-style rooms and 3 Western-style rooms, and the lodge can be rented out exclusively, allowing guests to stay with pets. There is a private terrace and private dining area where guests can dine with their pets, as well as an open-air bath reserved for pets
The meals are simple local cuisine, including delicious seasonal mountain vegetable tempura, mushroom dishes, and grilled salted rock trout. Rock trout bone sake, lingonberry sake, and rowan sake are also available, which go perfectly with these dishes
This long-established inn, which was founded 200 years ago, is a member of the Society for Preserving Japan's Secret Hot Springs
the Yakushi no and small baths which are separated by gender . All of the hot spring water flows directly from the source without adding water or heating.
The meals use local vegetables, wild plants, trout, and other ingredients from Iwate, and you can enjoy simple, locally produced cuisine cooked with spring water from Mt. Komagatake
the "100 Famous Hot Springs in Japan," has long been known as a therapeutic hot spring resort, with springs naturally gushing out from various places along the Geto River valley, some of which have been turned into open-air baths with natural flowing water.
The road leading to the open-air baths scattered along the Geto River Valley is lined on both sides with buildings for hot spring therapy, shops, restaurants, and other establishments, creating the feel of a hot spring town
The quality of the hot springs varies widely, and includes sodium-calcium chloride springs, calcium -sodium sulfate springs (hypotonic, neutral, high temperature springs), and weak radium-sodium-calcium chloride springs (hypotonic, neutral, high temperature springs) .
Geto Onsen travertine Wikipedia (Geto Onsen travertine, photographed by Sakaori)
On the riverbank, there is a dome-shaped rock made of hot spring deposits called "travertine," the travertine named "Tengu Rock (or Tengu Hot Spring)"
Please note that as the inn is located in the mountains, some mobile phones may not be able to receive signal, allowing you to fully experience the atmosphere of a hidden hot spring; however, the inn is closed from mid-November to mid-May when the road is closed .
Motoyu Geto: A hidden hot spring with a group of open-air baths fed by natural hot springs
In addition to 70 simple yet relaxing Japanese-style rooms (with separate bathroom and toilet), there are also self-catering rooms for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of a hot spring cure
The inn's recommendation is the seven open-air baths along the Geto River, where the hot spring itself is the bathtub and 100% of the water flows directly from the source
Because hot spring water gushes out from the bottom and sides, the temperature changes with the seasons, sometimes too hot and sometimes lukewarm, but this makes it feel even more like a hidden hot spring
Although it is a mixed bathing facility, there are designated times for women only, and there is also an open-air bath exclusively for women, so you can enjoy bathing in peace
Geto Onsen Motoyu Geto ＜Information＞
Facility name: Geto Onsen Motoyu Geto
Address: 1-22 Iwasaki Shinden, Waga-cho, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture
In this article, we have introduced three recommended hot springs in Iwate Prefecture with different spring qualities, but there are many more hidden hot springs and famous hot springs in Iwate Prefecture besides these
It is impossible to introduce everything in this article, so I would like to introduce some recommended hot springs in Iwate Prefecture at another time
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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