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Kawarage Jigoku is located southeast of Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, near the border with Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. It is located about 22 km from Yuzawa Station on the JR Ou Main Line, right next to Doroyu Onsen, a famous hidden hot spring
It has long been considered one of Japan's three most sacred mountains (the others being Mount Osore and Mount Tateyama). The mountain's surface has turned white due to the influence of volcanic gases. You'll feel as if you've entered another world
The area is known for its stunning desolate scenery, which has been called hell on earth. In contrast, there are hidden hot springs nearby where you can experience paradise
This time, we will be introducing Kawarage Jigoku in particular, as well as the hot springs in the surrounding area
In 807, the monk Gesso built the Reitsuzan Zenyu-ji Temple in Kawarage Jigoku, and in 829, the Jikaku Daishi Ennin dedicated a Jizo Bodhisattva to the temple
Since the Jizo Bodhisattva was established, the Kawarage Jizo Festival has been held every year. It is a ceremony to commemorate those who lost their lives in the sulfur mines. Many monks and local residents participate. It is short, lasting about 30 minutes, but its significance is great
The hell area is filled with a desolate and eerie atmosphere, and the view is enveloped in a contrast of white and blue. This feeling matches the Buddhist worldview, and so it remains a place of worship and a living object of worship as a place of ascetic practices
Hell's Mecca
Kawarage Jigoku is located at an altitude of 800m. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the parking lot from Yuzawa Station
There is also the Sanzu River. Walking through this area is called a "Hell Tour," but it is impossible to see all of the hells
There are many restricted areas
This is because there are "No Trespassing" signs everywhere
The reason it is prohibited is because toxic volcanic gases are spewing out from various places, and there are also points where boiling water is spewing out
The pure white mountain surface, surrounded by the smell of sulfur, makes you feel as if you are wandering through an endless hell. But if you keep walking, the altitude will gradually decrease. Then, the breath of life will gradually drift around you
Plants begin to fill the area, and you can really feel like you've returned to the real world
Kawarage Oyu Falls is located downstream, opposite the hell where steam rises. There is a path next to the restroom hut in the parking lot, and you can head down the slope from there to get there
After walking along the mountain path for about 15 minutes, Oyutaki Falls will come into view. The waterfall itself is hot water, and the pool at the bottom is the hot spring. The waterfall splits into two parts, flowing down on the right and left sides, and there are bathtubs at various points
To get to the base of the falls, you have to climb up unpaved rock faces, which can be a thrill, so proceed carefully and slowly
Please wear a swimsuit when entering. There is a simple changing room nearby
The river below the waterfall is also a hot spring, so you can lie down or play in the river
This is a spot where you can enjoy the waterfall baths that are directly drawn from the source. The difference in elevation between this place and Kawarage Jigoku is about 170m. It is a paradise-like place, completely different from hell
Oyutaki Falls is a natural place, so of course, it's free to use. You can visit it all year round, but the best time to visit is from July to September, which is surprisingly short. Before summer, the water temperature is cold, so be careful
In particular, from early November to early May, the road to Kawarage Oyutaki Falls is closed due to snowfall. It is a time when walking, including to visit the Hells, can be dangerous, so it is best to avoid this period
Some people go directly under the waterfall and enjoy the sensation of being splashed with water like a monk. The 200m drop is quite shocking, but it's well worth it. However, the water from Oyutaki Falls is acidic, so it will hurt if it gets into your eyes
Many people visit to take photos, so even if there are no people nearby, please refrain from entering completely naked. Men, women, and children should wear swimsuits and enjoy the pool as if it were a hot spring pool
INFORMATION
name
Kawarage Hell Kawarage Oyutaki Falls
location
Takamatsu Yujirizawa, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture
For those who want to get naked and enjoy a relaxing bath, we recommend Doroyu Onsen, a hidden hot spring spot located right next to Kawarage Jigoku
Doroyu Onsen is said to have first been opened about 1,200 years ago, and there are several inns offering hot spring water from different sources
The hot spring at Ogura Ryokan is the exact color of mud
We recommend Ogura Ryokan. You can enter the baths, so you can stop by after touring the hells and enjoy the hot springs
Doroyu Onsen is located within Kurikoma Quasi-National Park. As a result, the surrounding area has not been developed and is enveloped in a very tranquil, natural atmosphere
The spring water at Ogura Ryokan is also acidic. The most distinctive feature is the color of the water. It has a deep ochre color, which is why it is called a muddy hot spring
It feels as if the mud is just dissolving. In fact, it's not the mud that gives it that color; it's the magnesium and other iron in the water that gives it that color. The acid in the water is said to remove dead skin cells from the skin when you bathe, leaving it smooth and beautiful
Ogura Ryokan closes in the winter, so the best time to visit is in September when you can smell the autumn air
INFORMATION
name
Ogura Ryokan
location
Takamatsu Doroyuzawa 25, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture
This time, we introduced the famous spots in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture: Kawarage Jigoku, Oyutaki Falls, and Doroyu Onsen. The tour of the hells involves walking through a pure white, desolate area where no plants can grow due to the influence of volcanic gases
Exercising your body in an unfamiliar environment can be extremely tiring. Afterwards, be sure to soothe your exhausted body at Oyutaki Falls and Doroyu Onsen, a heavenly haven that has been transformed from hell
The recommended way to enjoy a tour of Hell is to fully experience both Hell and Paradise
A web writer who loves sightseeing. He is dedicated to exploring local gourmet food. Recently, I've been researching famous Japanese sweets shops such as manju and dango. Going around the basements of department stores is my daily routine.
![4550228_m](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "Hot springs gush out in a place where there are no volcanoes! "Yuzawa Geopark" where you can see the mystery of the earth up close [Akita Prefecture]")
![4550228_m](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4550228_m-150x150.jpg.webp "Hot springs gush out in a place where there are no volcanoes! "Yuzawa Geopark" where you can see the mystery of the earth up close [Akita Prefecture]")
![30422261_m](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/30422261_m-150x150.jpg "A trip to Doroyu Onsen in Akita Prefecture, depicted in the 31st trip of the manga "That's Journey" [Akita Prefecture]")
