Nyuutou Onsen: A Hidden Gem for Snow Viewing

As promised, here's an update on Nyuutou Onsen. Known for its unique name, this hidden hot spring is popular among Chinese speakers and is an excellent spot for snow viewing. The northern Tohoku region has entered the snow season, making it a perfect time to visit. Nyuutou Onsen is located on the other side of Hachimantai, near the border of Akita and Iwate, and is actually closer to Morioka. Since you need to transfer at Tazawako Station, it's worth exploring the area (Tazawako is Japan's deepest inland lake, which I'll cover in the next post). The highland area also offers skiing opportunities. Here's some travel information: First, take the Shinkansen to Tazawako Station (1 hour 15 minutes from Sendai Station, 40 minutes from Morioka), then take the Nyuutou Line bus to the onsen village (about 50 minutes, 820 yen). The Nyuutou Line timetable is on page 3, and there's also a bus within the onsen village (timetable on page 4). ⚠️ Friends in Japan recommend driving from Morioka IC (about an hour) as it's quite a hassle otherwise! The onsen village offers a pass (page 5) that includes one-time entry to each onsen and unlimited bus rides within the village (recommended if staying overnight), but day visits usually cost 800-1000 yen, so it's not necessary to buy. The village map is on page 2. Now, let's introduce each onsen: 1⃣️ If you're visiting for the day and don't have a preference for old inns, I highly recommend Nyuutou Kyukamura (page 8, day visit hours 11 AM-5 PM, 800 yen, 1 indoor, 1 outdoor, no mixed bathing). The snow view and indoor facilities are excellent. 2⃣️ For those who love old inns, Tsuru no Yu is recommended (a secret hot spring from the Edo period, famous, day visits 10 AM-3 PM, 700 yen, closed on Mondays, 2 indoor baths, 1 mixed outdoor bath, 1 women's outdoor bath). 3⃣️ If you want a private bath, try Taenoyu, which offers private baths for 3300 yen per hour, as well as gold and silver baths, day visits 1000 yen, 11 AM-3 PM, and lunch is available. It's beautifully located next to a waterfall (pages 6, 7). 4⃣️ For summer visits, Kuroyu Onsen is recommended. Sunroku and Kuroyu are deep in the mountains and closed in winter due to low water temperatures (Kuroyu allows self-catering, day visits 800 yen, 1 mixed bath, 1 indoor, 1 outdoor). 5⃣️ Kaniyu Onsen is also great (named after the abundant river crabs nearby, a deep mountain onsen, day visits 9 AM-4 PM, 2 indoor baths, 1 mixed bath, 1 women's outdoor bath, lunch available), and the Nyuutou Line bus goes directly there. 6⃣️ Ookama Onsen is a converted old school with a foot bath (available only from April to October), 1 outdoor, 1 indoor (day visits 9 AM-4:30 PM, 600 yen). Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions. #LifeInJapan #StudyInJapan #Onsen #Skiing #JapaneseOnsen #SoakTillYouPrune #OnsenHotels #JapanTravel #JapanTravelGuide #NyuutouOnsen