Carefully Selected from 660 Hot Spring Areas! 18 Popular Hot Spring Destinations in Tohoku

This historic hot spring destination is said to have opened around 340 years ago. According to legend, it was originally called Shikanoyu, or Deer Bath, because an injured deer healed its wounds in the spring, and over time the name changed to Sukayu Onsen.
Sukayu Onsen is especially famous for its large all-hiba wood bathhouse, “Hiba Sennin Buro.” Built with Aomori hiba wood, this massive bathhouse measures 160 tatami mats in size and consists of five bathing areas: Netsu no Yu, Rei no Yu, Shiburokubu no Yu, Yutaki, and more.

This hot spring ryokan is located at the foot of the Shirakami Mountains. The name Furofushi Onsen reflects the founder’s wish that “if you recuperate here, you will not grow old or weak.”
Many guests come for its open-air bath right by the waves, just 1 meter from the sea. Bathing while gazing at the sunset, as far as the eye can see turned golden, is especially exceptional.

Yachi Onsen in Aomori Prefecture boasts a history of over 400 years and is counted among Japan’s three great hidden hot springs, along with Iya Valley Onsen in Tokushima Prefecture and Niseko Onsen in Hokkaido.
This hot spring inn retains the atmosphere of a traditional therapeutic bath retreat and stands at the foot of Mt. Hakkoda, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains. Its location, surrounded by the great natural beauty of the Yachi Marshland area, is another part of its appeal.

Nyuto Onsenkyo is the collective name for the hot springs located at the foot of Mt. Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
It consists of seven standalone inns: Tsurunoyu, Taenoyu, Kuroyu, Ganiba, Magoroku, Ogama, and Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo.
Scattered through primeval beech forests, these hot springs are highly regarded as hidden gems, and they also attract many fans for their natural beauty, the atmosphere of the inns, and the high-quality cloudy waters.

A small hot spring village in the scenic Yuze Gorge, located almost midway between Lake Towada and Hachimantai, two of northern Ohu’s leading sightseeing spots.
It is said to have been named after hot spring water bubbling up from the shallows of the Yoneshiro River. The abundant spring water is well known as a beauty bath, said to leave the skin more moisturized with repeated bathing, and lotions made using this hot spring water are also available.

Tamagawa Onsen, home to Japan’s most acidic hot spring with a pH of 1.2, is known as a place for “recuperation and healing.”
From the spring outlet known as Obuki, water gushes out at a temperature of 98 degrees Celsius and a rate of 9,000 liters per minute, overwhelming other hot springs in scale as well.
The spring water is a strongly acidic, colorless, transparent sulfur spring with a strong sterilizing effect and radium content, and it is said to be powerful enough to dissolve a kitchen knife overnight.

Hanamaki Onsenkyo is a hot spring area where springs are scattered mainly along the Dai River and the Toyosawa River flowing through the quiet mountain region in western Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.
It is called “Hanamaki 12 Onsen” because it includes 12 hot springs, such as Hanamaki Onsen, Dai Onsen, and Osawa Onsen. All of them have long histories, and each spring source is said to have been discovered 300 to 400 years ago.

Tsunagi Onsen is located in a relatively accessible area, about Approx. 30 minutes by bus from central Morioka, one of Iwate’s most popular sightseeing cities.
It is also close to the scenic Goshoko Lake at the foot of Mt. Iwate and is sometimes called “Morioka’s inner retreat.”
With a history of 900 years, the hot spring area has a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
Large amounts of hot spring water gush from six different sources, and because all of them are high in temperature, the baths remain comfortably warm even in cold winter weather.
Another attraction is the spring quality, which is rich in moisturizing ingredients and is said to be good for the skin, earning it the nickname “natural toner.”

This hot spring destination opened 450 years ago. It is said to have been named after a bush warbler seen soaking its injured leg in hot water flowing from between the rocks.
About Approx. 30 minutes by car from central Morioka, the hot spring town is set in a mountain village upstream along the Oushuku River, with a wide range of accommodations including resort hotels, guesthouses, and even inns where therapeutic stays are possible.

A hot spring town located along the gorge of the Natori River in western Sendai, lined with accommodations ranging from luxury ryokan to budget lodgings with no meals.
It is also easy to access, about Approx. 30 minutes by car from central Sendai, and the surrounding area offers plenty of leisure activities. At Futakuchi Gorge upstream on the Natori River, you can enjoy mountain climbing, canyoning, camping, and more.

Naruko Onsenkyo is a hot spring area made up of five districts: Naruko, Higashi-Naruko, Kawatabi, Nakayamadaira, and Onikobe.
One of the key features of Naruko Onsenkyo is the variety of distinctive spring waters you can enjoy. It is known as one of Japan’s leading hot spring destinations because seven of the country’s 10 spring water types (according to the Ministry of the Environment’s “Basics for Safe and Secure Hot Spring Use”) can be found here.

Located about Approx. 40 minutes by car from central Sendai, Sakunami Onsen has long been known as Sendai’s inner retreat.
It is also said to have been a hidden hot spring used by successive lords of the Sendai domain, and since opening in 1796, many people have visited, including cultural figures such as Masaoka Shiki.
Its skin-friendly spring quality, abundant hot spring water, and the chance to enjoy a variety of baths gradually made it popular as a “beauty-making bath.”

A naturally flowing hot spring said to have opened in 110. Its strongly acidic sulfur spring has antibacterial effects on the skin and helps strengthen the skin, and it is known as a bath for “beauty-making.”
Zao Onsen boasts an abundant supply of 8,700 tons of hot spring water per day from 47 spring sources, and the hot spring town is dotted with three public baths, four footbaths, and five day-use hot spring facilities.

A hot spring destination whose history developed alongside the mining of the Nobesawa Silver Mine, which flourished in the Edo period.
The vivid relief decorations called kote-e on the exteriors of the chic ryokan are also worth seeing, and the hot spring town has footbaths and public baths as well.
The spring quality is a sulfur spring with a faint salty taste. It is also appreciated for being effective for skin problems, women’s health issues, and sensitivity to cold.

Kaminoyama Onsen is considered one of the “Ou Sanrakukyo,” alongside Yunohama Onsen in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, and Higashiyama Onsen in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture.
Its gentle waters are suitable even for babies, and the spring quality is known for its excellent heat-retaining and moisturizing effects, earning it the nickname “beauty bath.” The water is colorless, transparent, and smooth to the touch.

A hot spring destination located almost in the center of Fukushima Prefecture. It lies along the Gohyaku River and is also called “Koriyama’s inner retreat.” With convenient access not only from within the prefecture but also from outside it, this hot spring resort is popular as a sightseeing base in Fukushima.
Bandai Atami Onsen has a history of more than 800 years and has long been cherished as a famous hot spring for beauty-making.
The reason is the unique silky, thick feel of the water, which leaves the skin smooth.

Known as “Aizu’s inner retreat,” Higashiyama Onsen is a historic hot spring village said to have been discovered about 1,300 years ago when the monk Gyoki was guided there by a three-legged crow.
Although it is only about Approx. 15 minutes by car from central Aizuwakamatsu, it is surrounded by rich nature and is popular as a quiet hot spring destination where you can forget the noise of the city.

A hot spring destination located halfway up the Azuma mountain range, with a history of about Approx. 400 years since opening.
Alongside Zao and Shirabu, it is known as one of the “Oshu Three Takayu” and is also popular for its excellent location at the entrance to the Bandai-Azuma Skyline, making it ideal for sightseeing.
The hot spring, long bustling as a therapeutic bathing spot, is a sulfur spring known for its distinctive smell and milky cloudy water.