Discovering the Hidden Hot Springs of Akita's Nyuto Onsen Village in Japan

During the New Year holiday, I visited Nyuto Onsen Village in Akita, Japan, which is said to be a top choice for hot spring enthusiasts. Despite this year's mild winter, the snow in Akita's mountains was impressive. The village has seven inns offering both accommodation and day-use hot spring services. Day-use hours are generally short, and public transport is limited, so staying overnight is recommended for a more enjoyable experience. 🏠 Accommodation: I booked a room at Ogama Onsen through Agoda two weeks in advance, but managed to secure a room at Tsurunoyu Onsen a few days before departure by checking their website frequently. The cost for two people was around 2200 yen, including breakfast and dinner. The room was well-equipped, and the dinner was a lavish kaiseki meal. The service was impeccable, with staff providing traditional kneeling service. Based on reviews and my own experience, this inn offers the best service, while others are more rustic. The room included towels, a basket, a yukata, and warm clothing, along with a bamboo umbrella. Bath products were by Pola, and the scenery was perfect for photos. 🚗 Transportation: Due to limited bus services and safety concerns in snowy conditions, we opted for public transport. Here's a summary of the transportation options: To reach Nyuto Onsen Village, transfer at Tazawako JR Station (about 3 hours from Tokyo) and take a bus from Tazawako Station into the mountains. Buses go directly to Kyukamura, Tsurunoyu, Kuroyu, and Ogama. However, buses do not go directly to Tsurunoyu. There are two ways to reach it: 1) Purchase a loop bus ticket at any hotel front desk for 1000 yen, which allows multiple rides to and from Tsurunoyu and other hotels with Tazawako bus stops; 2) Use Tsurunoyu's own bus service, with a schedule available at the front desk. The last return bus on December 30, 2023, was at 15:20. Plan your time carefully if not driving, or face a 40-minute walk in the cold to the "Tsurunoyu Entrance" bus stop. ♨️ Hot Springs: I visited the three most scenic and highly-rated hot springs: Tsurunoyu, Kuroyu, and Kaniyu. Day-use prices are a few hundred yen, but towels and bath products are not provided. The focus was on outdoor baths with snowy views. Tsurunoyu: The most famous, with milky sulfur springs. It offers mixed bathing (no clothing allowed) and a women-only area. The women's outdoor bath has views as stunning as the mixed bath. Kuroyu: Offers a variety of pools, including a waterfall-view outdoor bath with yellow water. Mixed bathing is allowed with towels. Guests can reserve a private bath with a waterfall view. Kaniyu: Personally, the best scenery with clear water. The largest outdoor bath requires a walk through beautiful snowy terrain. It's a mixed bath with no clothing allowed, but we enjoyed a quick dip when it was less crowded. Overall, staying overnight in the onsen village is recommended for a leisurely experience. #Japan #HotSprings #TravelTips