8 Recommended Day Trip Onsen in Iwate
8 Recommended Day-Trip Onsen in Iwate! From Natural Hot Springs to Private Open-Air Baths
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Iwate has many attractive day-trip hot springs!
Day-trip hot springs in Iwate Prefecture are appealing spots where you can relax in a rich natural environment. You can enjoy a variety of spring qualities, such as open-air baths with free-flowing hot spring water directly from the source and highly concentrated carbonated springs. Some facilities offer bathing while gazing at magnificent scenery, allowing you to feel the beauty of nature in every season. Hot spring facilities also come with extensive amenities, including bedrock baths and dining options. Iwate's day-trip hot springs are perfect for a one-day trip to soothe your fatigue.
8 Recommended Day-Trip Hot Springs in Iwate
"Fusion of Relaxation and Efficacy" Kimori no Yu
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Kimori no Yu, located in the heart of Morioka City, is a natural hot spring facility boasting one of Tohoku's largest highly concentrated carbonated springs and reclining carbonated springs. These carbonated springs are expected to improve blood circulation and skin beauty, making them ideal for relieving daily fatigue. Furthermore, you can enjoy 11 diverse baths and saunas, with the "Bihou no Tsubo" (Beautiful Bubble Jar), making its debut in Tohoku, and the atmospheric open-air rock bath being particularly popular. The aroma bedrock bath area offers unlimited access to five types of bedrock rooms, along with a relaxation space featuring approximately 5,000 comics and reclining beds. With extensive relaxation services, it's a highly recommended hot spring facility for both mental and physical refreshment.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-18-50 Minamisenboku, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Access | Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Senboku Station on the Tohoku Main Line. From JR Morioka Station, take the Iwate Kotsu bus bound for Pastoral Baden at the Tonan Bus Terminal and get off at Kotakabashi. Or, 5km from Morioka Minami IC along Prefectural Road 36 and National Route 4 towards Aomori. |
| Parking | 200 spaces (free) |
| Business Hours | Bathing: 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM the next day (last entry 1:30 AM), Bedrock Bath: 6:00 AM - 1:30 AM the next day (last entry 0:30 AM) |
| Fees | Bathing: Adults 800 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen, Infants 100 yen (Under 3 years old free), Morning Bath: Adults 600 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen, Infants 100 yen (Under 3 years old free) |
"Healing of History and Nature" Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan, located in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, is a renowned hot spring with a history of over 600 years, featuring free-flowing hot spring water directly from the source. It boasts five hot spring sources and has been selected as one of the "New Japan's Top 100 Hot Springs" and a "Japan Hot Spring Heritage." Particularly noteworthy is "Shirahebi no Yu" (White Monkey's Bath), the deepest natural rock bath in Japan, characterized by water welling up from beneath your feet, offering a fantastical atmosphere despite being a mixed-gender bath. The interior, built entirely of zelkova wood, evokes the charm of a bathhouse from the movie 'Spirited Away.' This historic inn, beloved by Kenji Miyazawa, offers a luxurious healing experience with seasonal nature and cuisine made from local ingredients.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 75-1 Nakadaira, Namari, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Access | Approximately 32 minutes by Iwate Kotsu bus from JR Tohoku Main Line Hanamaki Station, get off at "Namari Onsen." Free shuttle bus also available from Shin-Hanamaki Station. |
| Parking | Free parking available (50 spaces) |
| Business Hours | Day-trip: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Reception until 8:00 PM) |
| Fees | Adults 800 yen, Children 600 yen |
"French Luxury" La France Onsenkan
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
La France Onsenkan is a unique hot spring facility in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, utilizing natural hot spring water that emerged in a La France pear orchard. It is known as a "beauty spring" with alkaline simple hot spring water, lauded for making skin smooth. The facility features both Western-style and Japanese-style large communal baths, allowing guests to enjoy spacious open-air baths, rock baths, and cypress baths. Additionally, there's an attached heated swimming pool with an 86-meter-long waterslide (open only on weekends, holidays, and during long vacations). The restaurant, committed to local production for local consumption, offers a taste of local delicacies. Beyond the hot springs, there are also tennis courts and walking trails, making it a hot spring facility where you can refresh both your mind and body.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 90 Shinzaike, Koyashiki, Shiwa-cho, Shiwa-gun, Iwate Prefecture |
| Access | Approximately 5 minutes by car from Shiwa IC on the Tohoku Expressway. Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Shiwa-Chuo Station. Also accessible from JR Morioka Station, with a free shuttle bus available (advance reservation required). |
| Parking | Free parking for 250 cars available |
| Business Hours | Weekdays 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Weekends & Holidays 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Last entry is 8:15 PM on weekdays, 9:15 PM on weekends & holidays) |
| Fees | Adults 800 yen, Children (3 years old to elementary school age) 400 yen |
"Urban Oasis" SPA Sento Yukko Morioka
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
SPA Sento Yukko Morioka is a Nordic-style spa public bath in Morioka City, a healing space where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Renovated in 2022, it offers an authentic sauna experience with a 78°C dry sauna, a soft-water steam sauna, and a spacious 16°C crescent-shaped cold bath. Additionally, a variety of bathtubs including silk baths, carbonated springs, jet baths, and open-air baths are available for complete mind and body relaxation. The facility also features extensive relaxation areas such as a library lounge, nap rooms, and a premium lounge. With a resting plan available until morning (from 2,780 yen), and access to esthetic treatments and massages, it's an ideal hot spring facility for tourists or after work.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-10-8 Kami-do, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Access | Immediately after getting off at "Kami-do 4-chome" by Iwate Kotsu bus from JR Morioka Station. Approximately 15 minutes on foot from IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway "Kuriyagawa Station". |
| Parking | Free parking available (no large vehicles) |
| Business Hours | Morning Bath 5:00 AM - 9:30 AM, Bathing 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM (last entry 12:30 AM) |
| Fees | – |
"Healing in Nature" Osawa Onsen Tojiya
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Osawa Onsen Tojiya is a hot spring resort in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, with a history of over 200 years, and a famous hot spring beloved by Kenji Miyazawa. You can enjoy a luxurious hot spring experience surrounded by nature in "Osawa no Yu," a mixed-gender open-air bath overlooking the Toyosawa River valley. Several other hot springs, including the charmingly retro "Yakushi no Yu," are also available. With fully equipped self-catering facilities, it's also ideal for long-term stays. The in-house restaurant "Yahagi" offers local delicacies. With dedicated times for women, it's comfortable for everyone. This hot spring is recommended for those who want to experience traditional hot spring culture and spend quiet time in a natural setting.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 181 Osawa, Yuguchi, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, 025-0244 |
| Access | 15 minutes from Tohoku Expressway Hanamaki-Minami IC via Prefectural Road 12 towards Hanamaki Minami Onsenkyo. 26 minutes from JR Hanamaki Station by Iwate Kotsu bus bound for Shin-Namari Onsen, get off immediately at "Osawa Onsen". |
| Parking | Available (free) 120 spaces |
| Business Hours | Day-trip bathing 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (last entry 8:30 PM) |
| Fees | Adults 700 yen, Children 400 yen |
"Harmony of Hot Springs and Nature" Toshichi Onsen Saiunso
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Toshichi Onsen Saiunso is a secluded hot spring at the highest elevation in Tohoku, situated at 1,400m above sea level. It is a single inn surrounded by the majestic nature of Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, where you can enjoy milky-white, free-flowing hot spring water. The inn features two indoor baths and eight open-air baths, with the mixed-gender open-air bath offering exceptional openness. There are also women-only hours, making it easily accessible. Due to its limited seasonal operation (late April to late October), it is recommended to visit during this period. The hot spring is effective for atopic dermatitis and sensitivity to cold, and the spectacular views of the sea of clouds and Mount Iwate are captivating. It is an ideal hot spring destination to forget the hustle and bustle of the city, engage in a digital detox, and enjoy as a summer retreat.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Kitano-mata, Yoriki, Matsuo, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Access | 1 hour 50 minutes by Iwate Kenpoku Bus bound for Hachimantai Horaikan from JR Morioka Station, get off immediately at Toshichi Onsen. 27km from Tohoku Expressway Matsuo-Hachimantai IC via Prefectural Roads 45 and 23 towards Hachimantai. |
| Parking | Available (free, capacity for 50 cars) |
| Business Hours | Late April to late October, day-trip bathing is 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Fees | Day-trip bathing fee: Adults 650 yen, Elementary school students and younger 350 yen |
"Charm of Tradition and Hot Springs" Kunimi Onsen Ishizuka Ryokan
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Kunimi Onsen Ishizuka Ryokan is a historic secluded hot spring located midway up Mount Akita-Komagatake, on the border between Iwate and Akita Prefectures. It has been cherished as a hot spring cure resort since the late Edo period, and its tradition is still upheld by the 6th and 7th generation owners. Its most prominent feature is the unusual hot spring water that changes from emerald green to yellowish-green. It is a 100% free-flowing hot spring with two beneficial qualities: sulfur and bicarbonate springs, and drinking the spring water is also possible (known for its unique taste). The ryokan boasts several bathhouses, including a mixed-gender open-air bath, and is popular as a base for climbers. It operates only for a limited period from mid-May to early November. This hot spring inn is ideal for hot spring cures and rest in a tranquil environment surrounded by grand nature.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-5 Tatsukawa-yama, Hashiba, Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0582 |
| Access | Approximately 35 minutes by taxi from Shizukuishi Station, approximately 50 minutes by car from Morioka IC |
| Parking | The area in front of the inn also serves as a parking lot |
| Business Hours | Mid-May to early November (closed in winter) |
| Fees | Day-trip bathing: Junior high school students and above 700 yen, elementary school students and below 350 yen |
"Secluded Highland Hot Spring" Sukawa Kogen Onsen
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Sukawa Kogen Onsen is a secluded hot spring located at an elevation of 1,126m, spreading across the northern foothills of Mt. Kurikoma in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. Boasting an abundant flow of 6,000 liters per minute, it has been cherished as a "famous hot spring of Michinoku" since the Edo period. It features a rare strongly acidic "Myoban Ryokuban-sen" (alum vitriol spring) with a pH of 2.2, allowing visitors to enjoy large open-air baths surrounded by magnificent nature, and the famous "Oiran-buro" steam bath. Operating for a limited period from late April to early November, it is also popular as a base for climbing Mt. Kurikoma. Nearby is the free Sukawa Campground, making it possible to enjoy camping and hot springs together. Believed to be effective for chronic digestive disorders and rheumatism, it is a highland resort where you can refresh both body and mind.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 46 Rinban To, Yamakokuyurin, Genbicho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, 021-0101 |
| Access | Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by bus from Ichinoseki Station, approximately 57 minutes by car from Ichinoseki IC |
| Parking | Parking available with capacity for 300 cars |
| Business Hours | Late April to early November (closed in winter) [Large/Medium Baths] 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM [Large Open-Air Bath] 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Fees | Large bath or open-air bath: Adults 700 yen, elementary school students 350 yen |
Enjoy Iwate's popular day-trip hot springs!
A trip to Iwate's recommended day-trip hot springs will be an ultimate experience for anyone seeking nature and healing. A diverse range of options is available, from natural hot springs to private open-air baths. Iwate's hot springs are the perfect place to refresh your mind and body amidst beautiful nature. By visiting for a day trip, you can take a temporary break from your busy life and enjoy a pleasant time. You can also enjoy seasonal scenery and local cuisine. In the winter snowscapes, spring greenery, autumn foliage, and the lush nature of summer, you can experience the charms of each season while enjoying the hot springs. Visiting Iwate's recommended day-trip hot springs will allow you to heal your soul with nature and gain new energy when returning to your daily life. Please do visit once.