Japan Hot Spring Pilgrimage 07: Nyuto Onsenkyo (Part 1)

Happy New Year! 🎍🎍 The hot spring guide continues ♨️ Among the many famous hot springs in the Tohoku region, I chose Nyuto Onsenkyo because of the term 'secret hot spring.' Hidden in the deep mountains of Akita Prefecture, it is a coveted yet hard-to-reach sanctuary. Nyuto Onsenkyo consists of seven natural open-air hot springs, each with different spring qualities and functions. Except for Kyukamura, which is a modern building, the other six are rustic wooden structures scattered in the snow-covered beech forest. Although there are women-only baths, the tradition of mixed bathing is still preserved. Naturally, this is also a pilgrimage site for Japanese hot spring enthusiasts. Devoted hot spring lovers might choose to stay for a night or two and use the Yumeguri hot spring pass to experience all seven springs. I was also drawn by its mystery and primitive charm and wanted to explore it. If you can drive or join a tour, that's great. But even if you're traveling alone, relying on public transportation and walking, you can still enjoy two or three different hot springs. Public transportation: From Sendai, take the Akita Shinkansen Komachi for about 1 hour and 20 minutes and get off at Tazawako Station. From the bus terminal in front of the station, take the Ugo Kotsu bus towards Nyuto Onsen, which takes about 40-50 minutes. The bus runs approximately once an hour, so check the schedule in advance to avoid long waits. Information and locations of the seven hot springs are easy to find. Choose 2-3 based on your preferences to decide where to get off. I remember the bus stops at Tsurunoyu and Kyukamura, but I'm not sure if my memory is reliable, so rely on the in-bus announcements or ask the driver. Another important point is to confirm whether these seven inns are open to day visitors and the cut-off time for outside guests. For example, on the day I went, Tsurunoyu closed at 3 PM, so I missed its famous large white bath. Getting off at Kyukamura can be the start of your hot spring journey. However, since it's the most convenient and next to the station, making it the last stop is also a good idea. Stay tuned for the next part~ #JapanTravel #SoloTravel #TravelGuide #NyutoOnsen #JapanHotSpring