Located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, Aomori Prefecture is a treasure trove of hidden hot springs blessed with magnificent nature, such as Mount Hakkoda and the Shirakami Sanchi area. From one of Japan's three most famous hidden hot springs to miraculous hot springs flowing from the floor and scenic seaside open-air baths, a diverse array of hot springs is scattered throughout the region. This time, we have carefully selected and introduced Aomori's charming hot springs, from wild baths to hidden hot springs where you can stay overnight.

1. Koganezakifushibushi Onsen (Fuppu Town, Aomori Prefecture)

A seaside hot spring with breathtaking views located at Koganezaki on the west coast of Tsugaru. In 1970, hot spring water began flowing naturally from 200 meters underground, and it is known nationwide as a scenic open-air bath where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sunset over the Sea of Japan. The name of the hot spring comes from the legend that "if you soak in this hot spring and take care of yourself, you will remain healthy forever without aging."

There are two seaside open-air baths: a gourd-shaped mixed bath and an oval-shaped women-only bath, allowing you to enjoy a sense of openness as if you are one with the Sea of Japan. Especially at dusk, the sky and sea are dyed in golden hues, allowing you to enjoy the scenery selected as one of the "100 Best Sunsets in Japan".

• Spring quality: Iron-containing sodium chloride alkaline spring
• Source temperature: 53 degrees
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (Adults 600 yen, Children 300 yen)
• Hours: 9:00-20:00 (Seaside open-air bath 10:30-16:00)
• Accommodation: Available
• Access: 5-minute shuttle bus from JR Wesspa Tsubakiyama Station

2. Sankoyu Onsen (Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture)

This is a famous hot spring with 300 years of history, discovered in 1684, and is one of Aomori's representative hot springs, designated as Japan's No. 1 National Health Resort in 1954. Because it is located at a high altitude of about 900 meters, it is called the "Spiritual Spring Above the Clouds".

Its specialty is the "Hibachi Senjin-buro" made entirely of Japanese cypress, and its vast 160-tatami mixed bath has four different springs: "Hot Water", "Four-Six Water", "Cold Water", and "Water Waterfall". The highly acidic water with a pH of 1.5 has high therapeutic effects and has been loved by hot spring therapy guests since ancient times.

• Spring quality: Acidic, sulfur-containing, aluminum sulfate, chloride spring
• Source temperature: 42-67 degrees
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (Adults 600 yen)
• Hours: 7:00-18:00 (Mixed bath 8:00-9:00 women-only time)
• Accommodation: Available
• Operating period: Open year-round

3. Tsuta Onsen (Towada City, Aomori Prefecture)

This is a hidden hot spring that has been loved by people for about a thousand years, and it is a very rare "source-flowing" hot spring in Japan. The source water flows from the bottom of the bathtub made of beech wood, allowing you to enjoy the "raw source" that has not come into contact with the air. The sensation of colorless and transparent water droplets rising from under your feet is an experience unique to Tsuta Onsen.

Located in the South Hakkoda primeval forest near the Oku-Towada Stream, it has "Hisayasu-no-yu", a gender-alternating bath, "Izumi-Hibiki-no-yu", a separate bath for men and women, and a private bath with local reservations. It is a historic hot spring therapy site that has been recorded in documents from the third year of Hisayasu.

• Spring quality: Simple hot spring (flowing from the floor)
• Source temperature: 44 degrees
• Natural flow (water added for temperature adjustment)
• Day-use bathing: Available (Adults 1,000 yen, Elementary school students 500 yen)
• Hours: 10:00-15:00 (Reception ends at 14:30)
• Accommodation: Available
• Operating period: Late April-mid November

4. Yachi Onsen (Towada City, Aomori Prefecture)

One of Japan's three most famous hidden hot springs, boasting 400 years of history. Located in a single inn in the mountains at an altitude of about 1,000 meters in Mount Hakkoda, it is characterized by hot water flowing directly from under the floor (from the bottom of the bathtub).

You can enjoy two different spring qualities: "Shimo-no-yu", called the spiritual spring at 38 degrees, and the cloudy "Kami-no-yu" at 42 degrees. The soft water that bubbles out is said to be effective for back pain and atopic dermatitis, and it is known among hot spring lovers as a top-quality hot spring.

• Spring quality: Simple sulfur hot spring (Shimo-no-yu), simple hot spring (Kami-no-yu)
• Source temperature: 38 degrees, 42 degrees
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (Adults 500 yen)
• Hours: 10:00-15:00
• Accommodation: Available
• Operating period: Open year-round

5. Lamp Inn Aoko Onsen (Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture)

Located along the stream of Aoko Valley, this is a canyon hidden hot spring that is nationally famous as the "Lamp Inn", which does not use any electricity. Opened in 1931, it offers a complete digital detox space where mobile phone signals do not reach at night.

There are four hot springs with different characteristics in the building, allowing you to enjoy a hot spring tour with the all-Japanese cypress "Kenroku-no-yu", the cypress-scented "Main Building Inner Bath", "Takimi-no-yu" on the opposite bank across the suspension bridge, and the rustic rock-built "Open-air Bath". The open-air bath is mixed, but women-only time is also set.

• Spring quality: Simple hot spring (low salinity weak alkaline high hot spring)
• Source temperature: 47.5 degrees
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (Currently 500 yen due to construction)
• Hours: 10:00-15:00
• Accommodation: Available
• Operating period: Open year-round

6. Oku-Yakken Onsen Ganso Kappa-no-yu (Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture)

This is a rustic open-air bath located about 2 km up from Yakken Onsen. There are two open-air baths, "Ganso Kappa-no-yu" and "Meoto Kappa-no-yu", about a 5-minute walk away, and it is also known for the "Kappa-no-yu legend" passed down from ancient times.

It has a rustic design made with large stones, allowing you to enjoy the hot spring in the silence of the deep mountains. It is a hot spring with a simple atmosphere like a hidden hot spring and an environment surrounded by nature as its charm.

• Spring quality: Simple hot spring
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (Free)
• Hours: 24 hours (excluding cleaning time)
• Accommodation: Not available
• Operating period: Year-round (May be difficult in winter due to snow)
• Access: About 20-minute walk from Yakken Onsen

7. Shimofuro Onsen Kaikyo-no-yu (Kazamaura Village, Aomori Prefecture)

This is a day-use bathing facility located in Shimofuro Onsen, the northernmost hot spring area of Honshu. It has a scenic location overlooking the Tsugaru Strait, and is characterized by a bathtub, walls, and chairs made abundantly with Aomori Japanese cypress.

A restaurant where you can taste local flounder and anglerfish is also attached, allowing you to enjoy the hot spring and seafood of the sea at the same time. It offers a special experience unique to the northernmost hot spring area of Honshu.

• Spring quality: Sodium sulfate, chloride spring
• Source temperature: 62 degrees
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (General 450 yen, Junior high school students 100 yen, Elementary school students 50 yen)
• Hours: 8:00-20:30 (7:00- from April to October)
• Accommodation: Not available
• Closed: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

8. Ajigasawa Onsen Suigun-no-Yado (Ajigasawa Town, Aomori Prefecture)

This is a seaside hot spring inn located in the port town of Ajigasawa in Tsugaru. The ship-shaped open-air bath, inspired by the "Ando Suigun" that once prospered in the trade of Thirteen Ports, is unique, and you can also enjoy the starry sky at night.

You can enjoy 100% natural flow hot springs with a high salt concentration of "fossil seawater" that is excellent for moisturizing and heat retention, and the indoor bath with the warmth of wood is fully equipped with a sauna. It is loved locally as an inn where you can also taste the seafood of the Sea of Japan.

• Spring quality: Sodium chloride spring (fossil seawater)
• Source temperature: About 40 degrees
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (12 years and older 450 yen, 6-11 years 150 yen)
• Hours: 8:00-21:00
• Accommodation: Available
• Operating period: Open year-round

9. Shirakami Onsen Seikansou (Fuppu Town, Aomori Prefecture)

This is a hot spring inn located at the foot of the Shirakami Sanchi World Heritage site. Surrounded by a beech forest, you can enjoy the hot spring while feeling the great nature of Shirakami Sanchi in a quiet environment.

It is called "Beautiful Skin Water" as an alkaline carbonate spring, and it is reputed that your skin becomes smooth and shiny after bathing. It is an alkaline spring with a pH of 8.5, and has benefits for fatigue recovery, neuralgia, muscle pain, and cold sensitivity.

• Spring quality: Alkaline carbonate spring
• Source temperature: 42 degrees
• pH: 8.5
• Day-use bathing: Available
• Accommodation: Available
• Operating period: Open year-round
• Access: Bus from JR Fuppu Station

10. Aomori Machinaka Onsen (Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture)

Located in the center of Aomori City, it is an urban hot spring facility where you can enjoy an authentic hot spring. You can enjoy 100% natural flow hot springs with a high salt concentration of "fossil seawater" that is excellent for moisturizing and heat retention.

The ship-shaped open-air bath inspired by the "Ando Suigun" that once prospered in the trade of Thirteen Ports is unique, and you can also enjoy the starry sky at night. The indoor bath with the warmth of wood is fully equipped with a sauna.

• Spring quality: Sodium chloride spring (fossil seawater)
• Source temperature: About 40 degrees
• Natural flow
• Day-use bathing: Available (12 years and older 480 yen, 6-12 years 170 yen)
• Hours: 6:00-24:00
• Accommodation: Not available
• Operating period: Open year-round
• Access: 15-minute drive from Aomori Station

Summary

The hidden hot springs of Aomori Prefecture each have their own unique and charming characteristics. From Koganezakifushibushi Onsen overlooking the Sea of Japan to the Lamp Inn without electricity, and the miraculous Tsuta Onsen flowing from the floor, special hot spring experiences that you cannot experience elsewhere await.

The world of hidden hot springs that can only be tasted in Aomori Prefecture, blessed with a rich natural environment, heals both mind and body. Please tour Aomori's hot springs, which show different faces each season, and experience the depth of Japanese hot spring culture.