12 Best Onsen in Akita | Visit a Snowy Mountain Onsen

Akita Prefecture is located in the northern area of Japan and is known for its high-quality rice and mountainous areas.

Although not the first place that comes to mind when thinking about vacation spots, Akita is enticing to those who want to truly experience the nature that Japan has to offer.

If you are thinking about visiting Akita Prefecture, a trip to an onsen is something that you should not miss out on.

In this article, we will be introducing some of the best spots for onsen in the prefecture. We hope that it will come in handy on your trip.

Table of Contents

1. Onsen Towns in Akita
   • Nyuto Onsen
     • Tsurunoyu Onsen
     • Kuroyu Onsen
   • Oga Onsen
   • Oyasukyo Onsen
   • Oyu Onsen
2. Ryokan and hotels with onsen in Akita
   • Tamagawa Hot Spring
   • Doroyu Onsen Okuyama Ryokan
   • Yuze Hotel
   • Akita Onsen Plaza
   • Iwaki Onsen Minato-no-yu
   • Miyakowasure
3. Conclusion

Onsen Towns in Akita

Being a large prefecture, Akita has many locations where you can find onsen.

The following are some of the most well-known, and also our personal favorites.

Nyuto Onsen (乳頭温泉郷)

Nyuto Onsen is the perfect place for those looking to relax in small-town Japan. It is even referred to as a “secret onsen” by onsen lovers throughout the country. Nyuto Onsen is the perfect place for those who want to be surrounded by nature and it looks the best during the winter when the town is covered in snow.

You will not find any large-scale hotels or modern luxury ryokan like popular tourist onsen towns. In fact, Nyuto Onsen only has seven ryokan; they all use hot springs that have slightly different effects on the body.

Although each individual bath is inexpensive, it would be best to buy a “yumeguri jou,” a ticket available only to those staying at Nyuto Onsen. For 2,000 JPY, it will give you access to all of the onsen as well as free trips on the shuttle bus between each. The ticket lasts for a year so there is no need to visit all seven onsen in one trip.

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Tsurunoyu Onsen (鶴の湯)

Tsurunoyu has the longest history of all the onsen at Nyuto. It is said to have been in operation since around 1688. This is the go-to ryokan when staying in the Nyuto Onsen area, and is more English-friendly compared to others.

You can stay at Tsurunoyu Onsen with prices that start around 9,800 JPY. If you are willing to pay a bit more, there are more spacious rooms available as well. You can expect to stay in a retro Japanese-style room.

Most people visit Tsurunoyu for the mixed-gender outdoor bath that looks great in the wintertime when surrounded by snow. Mixed-gender bathing is a tradition that is hard to find in the cities or populated onsen towns, so this is a way to really experience old Japanese culture. Tsurunoyu Onsen’s outdoor bath is filled with milky white water, making it easier to try out for those who feel cautious about public bathing.

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Kuroyu Onsen (黒湯温泉)

Kuroyu Onsen is the furthest east ryokan in Nyuto Onsen. It is surrounded by the forest so you will be able to take in the sounds, sights, and smells of nature during your stay.

The guest suites are very modest and will give you the experience of living like a local. If you do not mind finding your own meals, the prices can start as low as around 5,000 JPY. On the other hand, if you would like to have some of the local delicacies prepared for you, you can expect to pay around 14,000 JPY.

The baths at Kuroyu Onsen are made of wood and do not feature any of the modern flourishes and designs that many onsen sport today. Here, you will find raw culture and the beauty of Japan’s scenery.

It should be noted that Kuroyu Onsen is only in operation from the middle of April until the beginning of November.

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Oga Onsen (男鹿温泉)

Oga Onsen is located on the west side of Akita Prefecture, overlooking the coast of the Sea of Japan. Operation as an onsen town started in 1947, making it a long-time spot for hot spring vacations.

Oga City is home to the tradition of “Namahage,” which are Japanese demons that visit around the New Year. If you are thinking of visiting Oga Onsen, we recommend that you do so in February when they have a large festival that features the Namahage dancing and wielding fire.

While in Oga you can try the local food called an “Ishi yaki,” fish that was originally a tradition of Oga Hotel and served at dinner parties but can now be eaten at other lodges in the area. It consists of freshly caught fish that is prepared using only a burning hot stone. Being so close to the Sea of Japan, fresh fish is a delicacy you will not want to miss out on.

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Oyasukyo Onsen (小安峡温泉)

Oyasukyo Onsen is an onsen town located in Yuzawa, which is in the southeast corner of Akita Prefecture. It is a great place for hikes, shrines, temples, and old Japanese culture. Many festivals in the area take place from April to June, so we recommend visiting during the spring if you are looking to experience festivals.

There are camping areas in Yuzawa, so if you are looking for a spot to set up tent while in Akita, Oyasukyo Onsen would be a good place to visit. There are a few facilities that offer day-trip onsen visits so you can enjoy the hot springs even if you are out camping. You will also be able to find foot baths and drinkable onsen water.

Yuzawa is famous for its udon, which is thinner than classic udon. At a location called “Sato Yosuke Shoten,” you can observe how it is made and even try your hand at making some yourself.

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Oyu Onsen (大湯温泉)

Like the above Oyasuko Onsen, Oyu Onsen is located in the Yuzawa City of Akita Prefecture. The spring itself is said to have been discovered about 800 years ago. It is the closest onsen town to Lake Towadako, which is the largest crater lake on mainland Japan.

If you are an enjoyer of nature, we recommend that you take walks around Lake Towadako. The area is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing color. Another nature spot close by are archeological ruins called the “Stone Circle,” stones arranged into all kinds of shapes said to date back over 4,000 years ago. If you are interested in ancient history, this is a must-visit.

In the summer months of July and August, you can find a few festivals in Oyu Onsen. They include Japanese taiko drums and dancing. During the July festival, you can also watch fireworks and enjoy the many food stalls and vendors.

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Ryokan and hotels with onsen in Akita

If you are looking to stay overnight in Akita and want recommendations for accommodations, look no further.

The following section is a list of some of our favorite hotels and ryokan that you can find with an onsen. Some of these locations also offer day trip onsen if you are just making a quick stop in Akita or have already decided to stay somewhere without an onsen.

Tamagawa Hot Spring (玉川温泉)

Tamagawa Onsen holds the record for the most water produced out of a singular hot spring in all of Japan and is known for its many health benefits. Many people visit Tamagawa Hot Spring to help with their ailments such as issues with blood pressure, skin problems, or simple fatigue; Tamagawa Hot Spring is known to heal the body, soul, and mind.

Food is not served like your traditional ryokan with local dishes and fresh seafood, but instead a cafeteria-style dinner and a buffet-style breakfast. This is great for those who are choosier with their foods, as you have free reign over what you want to eat. Just like the hot spring, all the foods are chosen especially to be good for the body.

If you are interested in saving money, you can also choose to cook your own food and just rent out a guest suite. Guests can choose between Japanese-style and western-style rooms when they stay at Tamagawa Hot Spring.

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Doroyu Onsen Okuyama Ryokan (泥湯温泉 奥山旅館)

Doroyu Onsen Okuyama Ryokan is a ryokan situated along the Takamatsu River. This is also within Kurikomakokutei Park, which is a national park. To get there, you can ride a shuttle bus that departs from Yuzawa Station two to three times a day which will cost you 2,000 JPY.

Doroyu Onsen Okuyama Ryokan has multiple outdoor baths, including a mixed-gender bath. Between the five baths total, three different hot springs are used. Most of the guest suites do not have baths, so you will need to reserve the most expensive room if you want a private onsen.

In the area not too far from the ryokan, you can find many nature-related sightseeing spots. One of these is called Kawaragejigoku, which is a path made of boulders where it is said that no tree can ever grow. You can observe geysers, which are a great sight as you hike up to the top.

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Yuze Hotel (湯瀬ホテル)

Yuze Hotel sits along the Yoneshiro River on the eastern side of Akita. The hotel has plans to fit a wide range of budgets, and if you are willing to spend a bit more you can rent a room with a private onsen. These guest suites have very nice views of the mountains.

The public bathing area is spacious, with both indoor and outdoor baths to enjoy. Those who are not staying in an expensive suite but still want to try out a private onsen can rent one for only 1,000 JPY per 45 minutes.

The food at Yuze Hotel is served buffet-style, and one dish you will definitely not want to miss out on is the Akita Prefecture specialty, “Kiritanpo,” which is mashed rice formed into cylinders and then toasted. At Yuze Hotel, they serve Kiritanpo in a hot pot. You can find all kinds of local meats to try at the buffet as well.

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Akita Onsen Plaza (秋田温泉プラザ)

Akita Onsen Plaza is a hotel located not too far from the center of Akita City. There are a variety of guest suites that range in price, so you can save money if you are traveling on a budget, or spend a bit more and upgrade to a nicer room. The most expensive have a loft and a nice bathtub (not a private onsen).

The public onsen is well-praised by guests, with both an outdoor and indoor section. Akita Onsen Plaza’s hot spring water is milky and has healing properties to help the skin. The outdoor bath feels great especially at night when it is lit up.

If you like to drink, we recommend checking out the bar. It is self-serve and all you can drink for just 1,500 JPY per hour. This would be a great way to wind down with friends and family after a long day of sightseeing.

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Iwaki Onsen Minato-no-yu (岩城温泉 港の湯)

Iwaki Onsen Minato-no-yu is a rest stop for those in cars to stop and take a break on their journeys. It is located near the ocean and connects to a bridge with a spectacular view of the Sea of Japan.

You can see the ocean from the onsen as well, which is equipped with an indoor bath, an outdoor bath, a bubble bath, and a sauna. It costs only 500 JPY to use the bath, so this is the perfect spot to stop and refresh yourself if you are taking a long road trip.

Although Iwaki Onsen Minato-no-yu is primarily used as a rest stop, there are options to spend the night. You can choose to rent a cottage or an area to set up a tent and camp. The cottages are a higher price starting at 13,200 JPY, but they can house up to four people, plus you will get free reign of all the amenities.

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Miyakowasure (夏瀬温泉 都わすれ)

Miyakowasure is a luxury ryokan located along the Tama River. A 30-minute drive from Kakunodate Station, it is tucked away in the mountains. During the winter months, the roads are often closed off or dangerous due to weather conditions, so you can organize a free shuttle from the ryokan. The hot spring water used here has been appreciated for many years known for its medicinal properties and healing effects.

There are a total of 10 guest suites, 9 of which have private onsen attached. The other has a jacuzzi bath. If you are interested in trying the large outdoor bath, you can reserve a time slot as well.

The food served at Miyakowasure is high quality and uses local vegetables and meats. You will find different dishes with different ingredients depending on the season that you visit. Local sake also goes well with the meals; because Akita is known for its rice, the sake is not something to miss out on.

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Conclusion

What did you think?

In this article, we covered some of the onsen towns that you can find in Akita Prefecture, as well as accommodations that you might want to consider when booking your trip.

Because Akita is so large, you should take what you want to do and see into consideration when booking a ryokan or hotel. We hope that this article provided information that is helpful to your travels.

Enjoy your adventure in Akita!

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