Nyuto Onsen Village

"Nyuto Onsenkyo," located in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, is one of Japan’s premier hidden hot spring retreats, boasting over 350 years of history and a dream destination for hot spring enthusiasts. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park and surrounded by virgin beech forest, seven distinctive hot spring inns are scattered throughout the area.

Each inn has its own unique source spring, with different water qualities, colors, fragrances, and benefits. This allows visitors to enjoy a hot spring tour while staying in a single hot spring area, captivating many travelers.

In recent years, it has also gained nationwide attention, having ranked first for two consecutive years in Jalan’s “Most Dreamed-of Hot Spring Destinations” ranking (2023 and 2024).

The Seven Inns and Their Unique Charms
Nyuto Onsenkyo consists of the following seven standalone inns, each with a different type of spring water and atmosphere.

1. Tsurunoyu Onsen
The oldest inn in Nyuto Onsenkyo, this historic property was once patronized by the feudal lords of Akita Domain. The thatched-roof Honjin building is still used as an accommodation wing, giving visitors the feeling of stepping into a period drama. It has four source springs, and its signature attraction is the milky-white mixed-gender open-air bath. The local specialty dish, yama no imo nabe, is also popular and has long been cherished by returning guests.

2. Tae no Yu Onsen
A relatively new inn that opened after the war, it has two source springs known as “Golden Hot Water” and “Silver Hot Water.” The Golden Hot Water is a brownish, cloudy bath rich in iron, while the Silver Hot Water is colorless and clear with a slight sulfur scent. The riverside open-air bath offers a truly extraordinary moment, accompanied by the sound of a waterfall.

3. Kuroyu Onsen
Set deep within virgin forest, this inn preserves the atmosphere of a traditional therapeutic bathhouse. Among Nyuto Onsenkyo’s hot springs, it has especially abundant flow, and its open-air baths blend seamlessly with nature, allowing guests to fully enjoy the atmosphere of a secluded hot spring retreat.

4. Ganiba Onsen
As its name suggests, it was named after the crayfish that once lived abundantly in the nearby stream. Surrounded by deep forest, its open-air baths feel like a hideaway in nature. It is a deeply relaxing inn where guests can enjoy forest bathing and hot spring bathing at the same time.

5. Magoroku Onsen
A simple therapeutic inn also known as the “mountain medicinal bath.” Its mildly warm spring water makes it ideal for long, leisurely bathing, creating an environment well suited to the healing traditions of onsen therapy.

6. Ogan Onsen
A nostalgic, retro inn that makes use of a former wooden school building. Its appeal lies not only in the hot spring itself but also in the history of the building. It offers a special experience, allowing guests to revisit the memories of a schoolhouse together with the soothing waters of the onsen.

7. Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo
A modern inn with well-equipped facilities, popular with families and first-time hot spring visitors. It combines the comfort of contemporary lodging with free-flowing natural hot springs, creating a hot spring inn where modernity and tradition coexist.

How to Enjoy the Hot Spring Tour
The real charm of Nyuto Onsenkyo lies in its “hot spring tour,” or yumeguri, where each inn offers a different water quality and atmosphere. It feels as if you are traveling through several hot spring destinations at once.

The Yumeguri Booklet Is Recommended
With the “Yumeguri Booklet” sold exclusively to overnight guests (as of 2025: 1,800 yen), you can enjoy day-use bathing at all seven inns. It also allows you to ride the shuttle bus that circulates within Nyuto Onsenkyo, making it ideal for an efficient hot spring tour.

* If you bathe multiple times in a day in hot springs with different water qualities, be sure to stay hydrated and rest frequently, and take care of your physical condition.

Spectacular Seasonal Nature and Open-Air Baths
The appeal of Nyuto Onsenkyo is not limited to its hot springs. The beauty of the four seasons, created by rich nature, and the scenery of open-air baths harmonized with it, provide a fresh sense of wonder every time you visit.

Spring: New greenery sprouts, and the refreshing air is accompanied by the murmuring of mountain streams.
Summer: The shade of beech trees brings coolness, making it a popular summer retreat. Enjoy the combination of forest bathing and hot springs.
Autumn: From mid- to late October, the autumn foliage reaches its peak. The open-air baths surrounded by colorful leaves are truly breathtaking.
Winter: Soaking in a hot spring amid snowy scenery is exceptional. Steam rising from the bath and the silvery-white landscape create a dreamlike atmosphere.

Local Dishes Made with Regional Ingredients
By staying in Nyuto Onsenkyo, you can savor seasonal flavors unique to Akita.

Wild mountain vegetable dishes (such as stir-fried zenmai fern, daikon salad, and large-nameko mushrooms)
Akita’s specialty, iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon)
Char-grilled iwana trout cooked over an irori hearth
Onsen tamago, hot spring eggs (at some inns, they are characterized by dark shells and glossy yolks)
In particular, onsen tamago is an easy, casual gourmet treat that can even substitute for a light snack. If you see them at a shop, be sure to try one.

Nyuto Onsenkyo is a one-of-a-kind hot spring destination where nature, history, hot springs, and food culture come together in perfect harmony. There is no other place quite like it, where visitors can experience the differences among seven uniquely charming inns. It is especially recommended for those who want to escape daily life and refresh their mind and body in quiet natural surroundings, or for those who value time spent reflecting on themselves.