Tsuta Onsen, located in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, is a historic hot spring destination surrounded by the beautiful beech forests of the Hakkoda mountain area. With a history stretching back nearly a thousand years, it is one of the region’s most atmospheric hot springs.
Records indicate that a small lodging facility for hot spring therapy already existed here by 1147. For centuries, people have visited Tsuta Onsen to rest, recover, and enjoy the healing atmosphere of the natural surroundings.
Today, visitors can experience traditional Japanese hot spring culture in a peaceful setting surrounded by forests. The historic wooden inn, naturally flowing hot spring baths, and beautiful seasonal scenery make Tsuta Onsen an ideal destination for travelers looking for a quiet and authentic Japanese experience.
One of the most remarkable features of Tsuta Onsen is its rare “gensen yuki-nagashi” bathing system, in which untreated hot spring water rises directly through the bottom of the bath.
Instead of being pumped into the bathtub from above, the clear, colorless spring water naturally bubbles up from beneath the bathers’ feet. The water fills the tub without first being exposed to the outside air.
This is sometimes described as bathing in “raw spring water”. Only a limited number of hot springs in Japan offer this type of experience, making it one of the special attractions of Tsuta Onsen.
As you soak in the bath, you can feel small bubbles of naturally emerging hot spring water rising around your feet. This distinctive sensation provides a direct connection with the underground source of the hot spring.
The spring is classified as a sodium-sulfate, bicarbonate, and chloride spring. The mineral-rich water has traditionally been valued as a therapeutic hot spring.
It has traditionally been associated with relief from conditions such as neuralgia, rheumatism, and certain functional disorders. However, these traditional claims do not guarantee medical benefits for every individual, and visitors with health concerns should consult an appropriate medical professional before bathing.
Tsuta Onsen is home to a single traditional accommodation, Tsuta Onsen Ryokan. The inn’s historic wooden main building dates from the Taisho period and preserves the atmosphere of an old Japanese hot spring retreat.
Staying at the ryokan allows guests to experience a slower style of travel, with traditional architecture, natural surroundings, Japanese cuisine, and hot spring bathing all in one place.
Kuan-no-Yu is one of the signature baths at Tsuta Onsen. Its most distinctive feature is the way the hot spring water rises directly from beneath the bath floor.
The traditional atmosphere of the bath, combined with its simple wooden design, creates a particularly authentic hot spring experience. The bathing areas are operated on a rotating schedule for men and women.
Senkyo-no-Yu was named by the renowned Japanese novelist Yasushi Inoue. Unlike Kuan-no-Yu, it provides separate bathing areas for men and women and offers a more spacious environment for relaxing in the hot spring.
Guests who prefer greater privacy can also make use of a private bath, which is available by reservation at the inn.
The ryokan’s guest rooms overlook the surrounding natural landscape, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing appearance of the beech forest throughout the year.
The inn also offers a restaurant serving traditional Japanese multi-course cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients. A spacious garden provides another peaceful place to relax.
Guests can choose to spend much of their time quietly enjoying the inn, soak in the hot springs, savor seasonal cuisine, or explore the surrounding forests and walking trails.
Tsuta Onsen is surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape, making it an excellent destination for travelers who want to combine hot spring bathing with hiking and nature walks.
One of the most popular attractions nearby is the group of ponds and wetlands known as the Tsuta Nana-numa, or Tsuta Seven Lakes.
Walking trails connect several of these beautiful bodies of water, allowing visitors to explore the forest at a relaxed pace. The Tsutanuma Pond Nature Research Trail and the Birdwatching Forest Trail are particularly appealing to visitors interested in wildlife and scenery.
The quiet forest is home to a variety of birds, and the surface of the ponds can beautifully reflect the surrounding beech trees on calm days.
The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons. Fresh green leaves in spring, deep green forests in summer, brilliant autumn foliage, and snow-covered landscapes in winter each create a different experience.
Oirase Gorge is located approximately 20 minutes away by car. The famous gorge is known for its clear mountain stream, waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, and lush forest.
Walking along the stream provides an opportunity to experience one of Aomori’s most celebrated natural landscapes. The combination of Tsuta Onsen and Oirase Gorge makes it possible to enjoy both a traditional hot spring retreat and spectacular mountain scenery during the same trip.
The Hakkoda Ropeway is approximately 40 minutes away by car. The ropeway carries visitors toward the mountain summit area, where panoramic views of the surrounding Hakkoda mountains can be enjoyed.
The scenery changes with the seasons, making the ropeway attractive throughout much of the year. It is particularly impressive during the autumn foliage season and in winter, when the mountains are covered in snow.
Tsuta Onsen has attracted not only travelers seeking relaxation but also writers, artists, and other cultural figures.
The Meiji-period travel writer Keigetsu Omachi was particularly fond of Tsuta Onsen and the surrounding landscape. He played an important role in introducing the beauty of Oirase Gorge to people throughout Japan.
His attachment to the area was so strong that he eventually moved his registered domicile here and spent his final years in the region. His grave remains on the grounds of Tsuta Onsen, providing a tangible connection between the hot spring and one of the writers who helped make the surrounding scenery known throughout Japan.
Tsuta Onsen was also loved by Antonio Inoki, the legendary professional wrestler and former member of Japan’s House of Councillors. He frequently visited the hot spring with his wife and developed a strong attachment to the area.
He expressed a wish to be laid to rest at Tsuta Onsen after his death, and a grave was established here in accordance with his wishes. Today, the site remains a place where visitors can remember his connection with this historic hot spring.
Tsuta Onsen has also been associated with Japanese popular music. The area is regarded as the setting that inspired the early hit song “Tabi no Yado” by Japanese singer-songwriter Takuro Yoshida.
The connection between the hot spring, literature, music, and the surrounding landscape demonstrates how Tsuta Onsen has inspired people from many different creative fields.
Tsuta Onsen can be reached by car in approximately 90 minutes from the Towada Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.
From Hachinohe Station, take a JR Bus Tohoku service on the Towada-Higashi Line. The journey to Yakeyama takes approximately 90 minutes, followed by a transfer to the Towada-Kita Line for a further journey of about 20 minutes to Tsuta Onsen.
Another option is to travel from Aomori Station by JR Bus Tohoku’s Towada-Kita Line. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes.
Because services can vary according to the season, travelers should check the latest bus schedules before visiting.
Tsuta Onsen is located in an area rich in natural attractions and traditional hot spring resorts. Depending on your itinerary, you can combine your visit with places such as:
This makes Tsuta Onsen a convenient base for exploring the wider Towada and Hakkoda area.
Tsuta Onsen is much more than a place to take a hot bath. Its nearly thousand-year history, traditional wooden architecture, rare natural spring bathing system, and beautiful beech forests combine to create a distinctive Japanese hot spring experience.
The sensation of hot spring water rising directly from beneath the bath, the peaceful scenery of the Tsuta Seven Lakes, and the changing colors of the surrounding forest allow visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Its connections with writers such as Keigetsu Omachi, cultural figures such as Antonio Inoki, and musicians such as Takuro Yoshida add another fascinating dimension to the history of the area.
For international travelers looking for an authentic Japanese onsen experience surrounded by pristine nature, Tsuta Onsen is an excellent destination. Combined with a visit to Oirase Gorge and the Hakkoda mountains, a stay here offers an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, traditional culture, and quiet atmosphere of northern Japan.