Things to do in Tohoku, Japan: The Best Onsen Resorts

February 5, 2022 Leida Jutras

The Tōhoku region (東北地方, Tōhoku-chihō), Northeast region, or Northeast Japan consists of the northeastern portion of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. This traditional region consists of six prefectures (ken): Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata.
Restaurants in Tohoku

1. Nyuto Onsenkyo

Tazawako Tazawa, Semboku 014-1204 Akita Prefecture +81 187-43-2111 http://www.nyuto-onsenkyo.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 145 reviews

Nyuto Onsenkyo

Welcome to Nyuto hot springs in Akita, JAPAN Situated deep in the mountains of Nyuto in the Akita Prefecture, there is a stretch of onsens that remain nearly undiscovered by tourists. Their views are breathtaking and simply put, each one is a little slice of hidden paradise. There are seven hot springs. For the details,please check the each hot springs's page. - Tsurunoyu - Taenoyu - Kuroyu - Magoroku - Ogama - Ganiba - Kyukamura

2. Goshougake Onsen

Kumazawa, Hachimandaira, Kazuno 018-5141 Akita Prefecture +81 186-31-2221 http://www.goshougake.com/
Excellent
42%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 52 reviews

Goshougake Onsen

3. Ubayu Onsen Masugataya Day-use Spa

1 Osawa Ubayu, Yonezawa 992-1303 Yamagata Prefecture +81 90-7797-5934 http://www.ubayuonsen.com/hotspring/hotspring.html
Excellent
71%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Ubayu Onsen Masugataya Day-use Spa

4. Tsuru no Yu Onsen

50 Tazawako Tazawa, Semboku 014-1204 Akita Prefecture +81 187-46-2139 http://www.tsurunoyu.com/
Excellent
57%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 164 reviews

Tsuru no Yu Onsen

Reviewed By danielyong - Singapore, Singapore

It is late November but it snowed and turned this into a dreamy place. Took these pictures just after sun rise in the snow and I realized why the place is on everyone’s bucket list - the snow transformed this into a magical place. Water quality may not be high (as compared to say Hiraizumi, Sukayu, Arima or Misasa, but enjoyment is 100%. Tip: stay in honkan main building.

5. Tamagawa Onsen

Tazawakotamagawa, Semboku 014-1205 Akita Prefecture +81 187-58-3000 http://www.tamagawa-onsen.jp/
Excellent
49%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Tamagawa Onsen

6. Kuroyu Onsen

2-1 Tazawakobonai, Semboku 014-1201 Akita Prefecture +81 187-46-2214 http://www.kuroyu.com
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Kuroyu Onsen

7. Tsuta Onsen

1 Okuse, Towada 034-0301 Aomori Prefecture +81 176-74-2311
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 54 reviews

Tsuta Onsen

8. Toshichi Onsen

Hachimantai Onsenkyo, Hachimantai 028-7302 Iwate Prefecture +81 90-1495-0950 http://www.toshichi.com
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Toshichi Onsen

Reviewed By quindra - Morioka, Japan

Day bath hot springs review (not overnight)- If you only have time for one hot springs bath in Iwate, this should be around the top of your list! There is an indoor bath both in the men’s and women’s area that is rustic and beautiful, but fairly standard. What really makes this place unique is the outdoor baths. There are 6 baths outside in an open area, of which 5 are available to both men and women. The baths are thick, cloudy mud baths, fed naturally from below. Walking to them from the building may take some courage if you’re not used to public nudity (you can wrap yourself in a towel), but once you get in, your submerged parts are completely invisible. These outdoor baths vary in temperature, so one’s bound to be just right. Women can purchase a sort of towel-poncho to cover themselves in this mixed bathing area. If you’re there on one of the numerous days when the entire area is shrouded in mists it really feels like you’ve entered another world! This is a really traditional place, so there’s no soap or shampoo available here. Bring that yourself. Also don’t forget to try one of the onsen eggs. It’s sort of a hard-boiled in the hot springs egg that is seasoned to perfection. Just 80 yen each!

9. Osawa Onsen

181 Yuguchi, Hanamaki 025-0244 Iwate Prefecture +81 198-25-2233 http://www.oosawaonsen.com/
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Osawa Onsen

Reviewed By JohnD209 - Leavenworth, United States

I have been to over 300 hot springs throughout Japan and this is the best hot spring inn I have found because of the atmosphere, the people, the management, and the old buildings. Its mixed bathing riverside bath is famous among hot spring aficionados. I first stayed here in 1989 and most recently in 2018. The Osawa Onsen Inn consists of three inns, the Sansuikan (currently closed because the bridge providing access to it is in disrepair, the jisui (cook for yourself) old wooden building where the riverside bath is located, and two newer modern buildings that are for standard guests (higher priced and meals are included). I have stayed in the standard guest rooms and the jisui area. I like the jisui area best. It is a Taisho era building (built prior to 1925) and the restrooms are down the hall from the sleeping rooms, as is a common cooking area/kitchen for guests. I like it because you get to know fellow guests as you meet them in the halls, in the kitchen where all are cooking together or separate small gas stoves, and in the baths. Many people stay in the jisui area for several days. It is about the same price as hostels in larger cities. Sleeping is on futons on tatami floors. I will return. Access via bus from Hanamaki Station bus stop #3. Last visited 27-29 November 2018.

10. Takinoyu

47-1 Narukonsenyumoto, Osaki 989-6823 Miyagi Prefecture +81 229-82-2026 http://www.city.osaki.miyagi.jp/index.cfm/24,1129,107,232,html
Excellent
56%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Takinoyu

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