Nyuto Onsen is a collection of onsen ryokan in the mountains of eastern Akita Prefecture. The area is known for the hot spring baths found at its eight ryokan, some of which are quite traditional and rustic. With a history of over 300 years, Tsurunoyu is Nyuto Onsen's oldest and most famous inn.

The name Nyuto Onsen means "nipple hot spring" and comes from the suggestive shape of nearby Mount Nyuto rather than the milky/cloudy appearance of the area's hot spring water. All the hot spring baths in Nyuto Onsen belong to ryokan, and are not only available to staying guests, but also to day trippers during certain hours and against a small admission fee. Most of the ryokan feature mixed gender outdoor baths, and all have various gender segregated bathing as well.

Part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Nyuto Onsen is a 30 minute bus ride into the mountains above the picturesque caldera lake Tazawako, the deepest lake in Japan. A few other hot spring towns and hiking trails are also found in the area around Tazawako and Nyuto Onsen.

Tsurunoyu Onsen•••

Daytrip Hours: 10:00 to 15:00 (open air bath closed on Mondays)
Daytrip Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: 9,000 to 16,500 yen per person including 2 meals; reservations can be made from the first of the month, 6 months in advance

Tsurunoyu is the oldest operating ryokan of Nyuto Onsen. Some of its rooms date to the Edo Period (1603-1867) and offer a rustic and authentic stay with an irori fireplace. The large, mixed gender outdoor bath is iconic of the region, and there are single gender indoor baths available, as well.

Tsurunoyu Onsen - Yamanoyado•

Overnight Stay: 14,000 to 22,000 yen per person including 2 meals

A more recent addition to Tsurunoyu, Yamanoyado is located along the road to the original inn and includes all the comforts of a modern ryokan. Yamanoyado's baths use water from the same source as Tsurunoyu, and guests additionally have free access to the original inn's famous baths 1.5 kilometers away.

Kuroyu Onsen•

Daytrip Hours: daily 9:00 to 16:00 (closed during winter)
Daytrip Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: 11,000 to 15,500 yen per person including 2 meals

Another rustic ryokan, Kuroyu offers multiple indoor and outdoor baths including a mixed gender outdoor bath with a nice sunset view. Accommodation varies from small spartan tatami rooms with shared bathrooms, to a converted farmhouse located off from the main buildings.

Taenoyu Onsen•

Daytrip Hours: 10:00 to 15:00
Daytrip Admission: 800 yen
Overnight Stay: 14,000 to 23,000 yen per person including 2 meals

Taenoyu Onsen is a modern, well equipped ryokan that sits beside the Sendatsu River. It features a mixed gender outdoor bath overlooking a waterfall, as well as single gender indoor baths.

Ganiba Onsen

Daytrip Hours: daily 9:00 to 16:30
Daytrip Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: 10,000 to 14,000 yen per person including 2 meals

Ganiba Onsen is a modern ryokan with a large, secluded, mixed gender, outdoor bath located a short walk from the main buildings. Additional single gender indoor baths are available as well.

Ogama Onsen

Daytrip Hours: daily 9:00 to 16:30
Daytrip Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: 11,000 to 13,000 yen per person including 2 meals

The main building of Ogama Onsen is a relocated wooden schoolhouse that has been converted into a modern ryokan. It has gender separated baths, and both the men and women's areas include an indoor bath and an outdoor bath. There is also has an ashiyu (foot bath) at its front.

Magoroku Onsen

Daytrip Hours: 8:00 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:00 during winter)
Daytrip Admission: 520 yen
Overnight Stay: 12,000 yen per person including 2 meals

Magoroku Onsen is another rustic ryokan located off the main road between Ogama and Kuroyu Onsen. It requires a short hike to get to and has multiple baths including a large women only outdoor bath.

Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo

Daytrip Hours: 11:00 to 17:00
Daytrip Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: 9,500 to 16,500 yen per person including 2 meals

This modern hotel style ryokan is one of the newer facilities in Nyuto Onsen. It has large indoor baths and covered outdoor baths that are separated by gender. The ryokan is just across the street from a park with nature trails.

Ratings:    best of the best    best of Japan    outstanding

Overnight guests can purchase the Yumeguri Pass for 1800 yen at their ryokan that provides them with admission to the baths of all seven ryokan in Nyuto Onsen. A "light" version of the pass is available for 600 yen and provides access to one bath of your choice. A shuttle bus for pass holders connects all ryokan once every 1-2 hours (reservations required at least one hour in advance).