This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Among the six Tohoku prefectures, Akita Prefecture has many nationally renowned hot springs and is a treasure trove of hot springs with a variety of water qualities
In particular, active volcanoes such as Hachimantai are lined up from north to south on the border with Iwate Prefecture, and the surrounding area is home to many hot springs known for their therapeutic properties since ancient times
They are also dotted around Mount Chokai, an active volcano on the border with Yamagata Prefecture. In this article, we will introduce three hot springs with particularly good quality spring water
Tamagawa Onsen (Semboku City), a highly acidic spring with many beneficial properties
Records show that it was discovered by Matagi hunters in 1680 (Enpo 8), and from the outlet named Obuke, 9,000 liters of colorless, clear spring water gushes out every minute, making it the largest single source of water in Japan
The spring water isan "acidic, carbon dioxide-containing, iron(II), and aluminum chloride spring,"and is not only a high-temperature spring at 98°C but also highly acidic with a pH of 1.5. While it has a strong stimulating effect, it is also said to be effective for all kinds of ailments.
About 50 years ago, rumors spread that the hot springs could cure cancer, and many visitors from all over the country began to visit. However, cancer is not an approved treatment, and the hot springs are considered contraindicated for cancer (malignant tumors)
Nevertheless, cancer patients seeking a cure visit the hot springs to bathe and enjoy the hot springs on their own initiative, and there are many stories of people who have "lived longer than expected," so there is a constant stream of visitors hoping that the hot springs will have some kind of effect
By the way, the official efficacy of this hot spring is said to be for high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, gynecological diseases, neuralgia, skin diseases, asthma, etc
Furthermore, because this hot spring is highly acidic, it can cause chemical reactions that can discolor precious metals such as watches and rings, and can also cause malfunctions in precision machinery such as smartphones and computers
Please do not bring these items with you, or be careful not to get them in contact with hot water
Tamagawa Onsen: A hot spring inn specializing in long-term stays for therapeutic bathing
There are 11 types of bathtubs made from Aomori cypress, which is resistant to acidic springs, and each has a different hot spring concentration and temperature, so you can choose one depending on your physical condition that day and the purpose of your hot spring treatment
There is a nurse on-site at the inn who can advise you on hot spring therapy, but there is no doctor on-site and they cannot provide medical treatment, so please be careful not to soak in the strong hot spring water for too long and develop a hot spring sickness
The guest rooms are divided into a "self-catering section" for those seeking a cure, and a "ryokan section" where meals are provided like in a regular hot spring inn. The "ryokan section" has both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, and each room is equipped with a TV, refrigerator, and toilet (some rooms have shared toilets)
Dinner menu example from Akita Prefecture official tourism website
Dinner in the dining hall isa "Tamagawa Onsen Cafeteria Style,"where you choose one main dish from either meat or fish, and the rest of the food is served buffet-style. Breakfast is also a buffet style, mainly featuring Japanese cuisine.
The dining hall also offers a wide variety of lunch menu items for guests staying multiple nights, and even non-guests can use the menu by purchasing a meal ticket
Shin Tamagawa Onsen, which draws its water from this source, is located nearby. The building is newer and the water is said to be slightly milder than Tamagawa Onsen, despite having the same chemical composition
Tamagawa Onsen <Information>
Facility name: Tamagawa Onsen
Location: Lake Tazawa, Tamagawa, Shibukurosawa, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
The milky-white, sulfurous-smelling hot spring water that springs from the mountains on the border of Aomori Prefecturea "sulfur-containing (hydrogen sulfide type) sodium chloride spring," with a pH of 6.3 (neutral) and a source temperature of 38.4℃, making it slightly lukewarm and providing a soothing feel on the skin.
From the official Hikage Onsen website
Because it contains many beneficial components, it is highly effective, and it is said that bathing in it for three days will curethe "Three-Day Hot Spring"andthe "Kusatsu of Tohoku,"and is considered particularly suitable for treating skin diseases.
This type of spring water is extremely rare throughout Japan and"miracle spring."is even called a
Shirakami Yatate Yugenkyo no Yado Hikage Onsen, named after the inn's founder
From the official Hikage Onsen website
The inn's four hot springs flow into an open-air stone bath, two indoor baths made from Aomori cypress, and five free private baths with different atmospheres.The larger indoor bath can be bathed while sitting, and the smaller indoor bath can be used as a reclining bath
There is also a bedrock bath using stones from the source of Hikage Onsen and Bad Gastein ore, which is used in Austrian hot spring resorts, and is popular for its hormesis effect, which improves the immune system and has a detoxifying effect
In addition, the baths in the two special rooms are filled with spring water that is particularly rich in iron, and you can only bathe in this spring water that warms you from the inside out if you are staying in one of the special rooms
The cuisine is made with an abundance of organic ingredients sourced from contracted farmers in Akita Prefecture, and the chef has put a lot of effort into creating a variety of exquisite dishes, all of which are served alongside fine local Akita sake
The breakfast is a Japanese-style meal featuring porridge and smoothies made with freshly picked local vegetables, and is also known for being healthy
Shirakami Yatate Yugenkyo Inn Hikage Onsen ＜Information＞
Facility name: Shirakami Yatate Yugenkyo no Yado Hikage Onsen
Address: 37 Nagahashiri, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
Kisakata Onsen (Nikaho City): Relax in the soothing surroundings of Mount Chokai and the Sea of Japan
Kujukushima Islands of Kisakata (Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site)
Kisakata, famous for being visited by the renowned haiku poet Matsuo Basho who was moved by its scenery and composed a poem about it, and for being a place where you can enjoy rock oysters in the summer,sulfur springsandsodium chloride springsis dotted with natural hot springs that originate from
Sulfur springs, in particular"beauty springs". In addition to the general benefits of hot springs, they are also recognized as being suitable for treating chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, chronic eczema, and epidermal pyoderma.
The clear, colorless water has a sulfur scent and is very viscous, making it pleasant to the touch, so be careful not to soak in it for too long
the nearby"Michi-no-Eki Kisakata" (Roadside Station Kisakata)at"Nemunooka". Located along the coast, this hot spring is a highly saline spring containing iodine, and you can enjoy the unique scent of the reddish-brown, salty water.
"Kisagata Sunset Inn Sannemu Onsen" is a hot spring inn where you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the mountains and sunset over the sea
This inn has two baths: a large public bath on the first floor of the West Wing, which overlooks the Sea of Japan, and an observation bath on the third floor of the East Wing, which overlooks Mt. Chokai. Both baths have large windows so you can enjoy the view while bathing
Because it is a cold spring, the heated water is not poured directly but is instead circulated and filtered, but the water retains its natural components and has a strong sulfurous scent
There are two types of guest rooms: one facing the sea with a view of the Sea of Japan and one facing the mountain with a view of Mt. Chokai. Both rooms offer great views, so please choose whichever you prefer
Meals are served in a semi-private restaurant, where dishes made with seasonal ingredients such as seafood from the Sea of Japan and mountain produce from Mt. Chokai are served. Depending on the season, you can also enjoy rock oysters, abalone, and snow crab
Sannemu Onsen Inn, Kisakata Sunset Inn <Information>
Facility name: Kisakata Sunset Inn Sannemu Onsen
Address: 31-1 Sainokami, Kisakata-cho, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
In addition to the three hot springs introduced in this article, Akita Prefecture has many other unique hot springs, such as Nyuto Onsen, which has an abundance of springs with different water qualities
In addition, there are still many hot springs that we would like to introduce, such as those with the same quality but different colors and scents, so we hope to introduce many more unique hot springs from various perspectives in the future
I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!
![What day is it today? Tohoku Edition [0829]](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/0829-150x150.png.webp "[What day is it today? | Tohoku Edition] What day is August 29th?")
