[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. Yaishishidake, and Mt. Kurikoma, and there are many hot springs in the surrounding area.

There are a variety of hot springs, including secluded hot springs deep in the mountains that close when snow accumulates, and famous hot springs near the city where families can enjoy a leisurely bath, and many are listed at the top of popular hot spring rankings on the Internet.

Here, we will introduce a selection of hot springs that boast unique spring quality that is slightly different from those found elsewhere.

Very rare hot spring “Morden no Yu” (Appi Kogen, Hachimantai City)

The name of this slightly unusual hot spring located in the Appi Highlands comes from the fact that the source water gushes out from a stratum that contains an ore called ``Morden Zeolite''

This mordenite is rich in silicic acid and is said to be formed in the cavities of igneous rocks created by volcanoes.Its scientific name is ``zeolite'', contains a large amount of sodium, and has the property of adsorbing and exchanging ions. .

The quality of the hot water in Morden is ``sodium hydrogen carbonate spring (hypotonic, weakly alkaline, high-temperature spring)'' , and the slightly alkaline water has a slightly sticky texture.

Just soaking in this hot water is said to have the effect of washing away oil and secretions from the skin, and it is also known as the ``Beauty Bath'' or ``Rejuvenation Hot Spring''

This rare hot spring is found only in Ashiro Town, Iwate Prefecture, where there is a geological formation of morden zeolite in the Tohoku region, and it is a hot spring with a quality that is very rare even in Japan.

``Appi Kogen Mori no Hotel'' where you can enjoy hot springs of Malden

This resort hotel is located in a pension town at the foot of the Appi Kogen ski resort and uses Morden hot springs as its own hot spring source.

You can choose between a Japanese-style room or a Western-style room, and there is a drink service, and there is an open-air bath in the large public bath, so you can enjoy this rare hot spring bath while feeling the four seasons of Appi Highlands.

also two private open-air baths named ` `Iwa-no-Yu'' and ``Ki-no-Yu''

Meals are creative kaiseki course meals, and all courses are served with Iwate's high-quality branded beef, "Maesawa beef," and you can enjoy "Beef from Ogata Ranch," which is considered to be of particularly high quality among Maesawa beef

Appi Kogen Forest Hotel <Information>

• Facility name: Appi Kogen Mori no Hotel
• Location: 605-30 Appi Kogen, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0195-73-5301
• URL: Appi Kogen Mori no Hotel official website

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Emerald green sparkle “Kunimi Onsen” (Shizukuishi Town, Iwate District)

The town of Shizukuishi, where Koiwai Farm is located, is also known for its hot springs all over the town, and Kunimi Onsen is located in the Ou Mountains on the border with Akita Prefecture and is said to be the ``hidden hot spring of the lords of the south.'' This is the secret hot spring I was told about.

The quality of the beautiful emerald green hot spring source changes easily, and the shape and size of the crystals in the ingredients change depending on weather conditions, resulting in a lemon color or a dark green color similar to matcha.

Since the Edo period, the ``sulfur-containing sodium bicarbonate spring'' to cure 100 diseases in just one bath , and is said to be a medicinal hot spring that is effective against gastrointestinal diseases, neuralgia, and skin diseases, and is visited by many visitors for its medicinal treatments.

The source has a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide, and many emerald green hot spring flowers, which match the color of the source, are sold as souvenirs.

Although it is possible to drink the hot spring water, it tastes surprisingly bad, and because the ingredients are concentrated, it is best to take a 20 to 30 minute bath rather than taking a long bath.

As this is a secret hot spring located deep in the mountains, the road is closed in winter, and the two hot spring inns 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, a day-trip bathing facility run by Shizukuishi Town .

As it is located at the trailhead of Mt. Akita Komagatake, it is visited by many mountaineers as well as long-term hot spring guests who are self-catering. However, due to disasters and deterioration, Ishizuka Ryokan is currently no longer offering self-catering overnight stays.

``Mori Sansou'' where pets can also take a bath

There are 15 Japanese-style rooms and 3 Western-style rooms, and you can stay with your pet at the lodge, which can be reserved for private use.In addition to having a private terrace where pets can eat together and a private dining room, there is also an open-air bath for pets. Masu.

The meals are simple, local cuisine, and the seasonal wild vegetable tempura, mushroom dishes, and salt-grilled char are delicious.Char bone wine, lingonberry wine, and rowan wine go well with these dishes.

Kunimi Onsen Moriyamaso <Information>

• Facility name: Kunimi Onsen Moriyamaso
• Location: Kunimi Onsen Ishizuka Ryokan, Hashiba, Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 090-1930-2992
• Business period: Early May to mid-November
• URL: Moriyamaso official website

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“Ishizuka Ryokan” has been around since the Edo period

This long-established inn, which has been in business for 200 years, is a member of the ``Japan Secret Hot Springs Protection Association.''

``Yakushi-no-Yu'' and ``Small Bath'' which are separated by gender , all of which are fed by hot spring water that is neither added nor heated.

The meals use ingredients from Iwate, such as local vegetables, wild plants, and char, and you can enjoy simple, locally produced dishes cooked with spring water from Mt. Komagatake.

Kunimi Onsen Ishizuka Ryokan＜Information＞

• Facility name: Kunimi Onsen Ishizuka Ryokan
• Location: Hashiba, Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 090-3362-9139
• Business period: Early May to mid-November
• URL: Ishizuka Ryokan official website

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Geto Onsen (Kitakami City) is rich in natural hot springs.

one of the top 100 famous hot springs in Japan , has been known as a hot spring spa since ancient times, and the source water naturally gushes out from everywhere along the valley of the Natsuyu River. There are some that are.

The street leading to the open-air baths dotted along the Natsuyu River Valley is lined with buildings for hot spring treatments, shops, and restaurants on both sides, making it look like a hot spring town.

The quality of the hot spring water varies widely, including ``sodium/calcium chloride spring, '' ` `calcium/sodium sulfate spring (hypotonic neutral high temperature spring),'' and ``weak radium-sodium/calcium chloride spring (hypotonic neutral high temperature spring).'' And so on.

, there are dome-shaped rocks made from hot spring sediment called ``Sekkaika,'' which are designated as national natural monuments is ``Tengu no Iwa (or Tengu no Yu).'' The limestone flower named ``is the largest in Japan.

Due to the mountainous area, some mobile phones are out of range, so you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of a secret hot spring, but is closed from mid-November to mid-May when the roads are closed

``Motoyu Natsuyu'' has a group of open-air baths with natural spring water that gives you the feeling of a secret hot spring.

In addition to 70 simple but relaxing Japanese-style rooms (separate bath and toilet), there are also self-catering rooms for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of a spa.

The inn's recommendation is the seven open-air baths along the Natsuyu River, which are baths with 100% free-flowing water from the source.

Because hot spring water gushes out from the bottom and sides, the temperature changes depending on the season, and it may be too hot or too lukewarm, but this gives you the feeling of 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 for women, so you can enjoy bathing with peace of mind.

Natsuyu Onsen Motoyu Natsuyu <Information>

• Facility name: Natsuyu Onsen Motoyu Natsuyu
• Location: 1-22 Iwasaki Shinden, Waga-cho, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 090-5834-5151
• Business period: Mid-May to mid-November
• URL: Motoyu Natsuyu official website

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summary

In this article, we introduced three recommended hot springs in Iwate Prefecture with different spring quality, but in addition to these, Iwate Prefecture has many other hidden and famous hot springs.

It's too much to introduce in this article alone, so I'd like to introduce some recommended hot springs in Iwate Prefecture in the future.