Akinomiya Onsenkyo Takanoyu Hot Spring, Akita Prefecture Vol. 32 The Charm of "Local Hot Springs" from a Hot Spring Master

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2025/04/21

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The charm of "THE ONSEN" is revealed!

The most enjoyable part of traveling is the local cuisine, the spectacular scenery that changes with the seasons, and of course, the hot springs! Did you know that there are many hot springs in eastern Japan that are called "ji-onsen," or "local hot springs," and have been loved by local people for a long time? Once used as therapeutic hot spring baths, and even today, there are many hot spring resorts that offer healing and comfort to visitors. In this interview, we introduce the charms of "local hot springs" that warm the body and soul!

What is a "Yumamori"?

The word "yumori" means "guardian of hot spring water. In other words, a "yumori" is a caretaker of a hot spring. They are in charge of controlling the amount and temperature of the hot water. The traditional hot spring baths that have taken root in each area and are the pride of the yumori of the "local hot springs" introduced in this project have been protected by them throughout their long history.

Takanoyu Onsen, a hot spring with a spectacular view of a riverbank and clear water

In this 32nd installment of our series "Ask a Hot Spring Master about the Charms of Local Hot Springs," we introduce you to Takanoyu Onsen in Akita Prefecture. We asked Mr. Oyamada, the hot spring guardian, about the hot spring.

Spend a relaxing time at an isolated inn along a mountain stream

What kind of place is Akinomiya Onsenkyo, said to be the oldest hot spring in Akita Prefecture? What are its attractions and features?

Mr. Koyamada, the hot spring guardian
Akinomiya Onsenkyo is located on the border of Akita, Miyagi, and Yamagata prefectures, and each has its own hot spring source. Currently, there are five inns scattered throughout Akinomiya Onsenkyo. The inns are located deep in the mountains, so you can spend a quiet and relaxing time here. Takanoyu Onsen, in particular, is a one-house inn located along a mountain stream, where you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the bathtub while listening to the murmuring of the river. I hope you will enjoy the rich natural scenery of the four seasons.

Takanoyu Onsen and Yakunai River flowing in front of you

Enjoy the bathtub of your choice on a petit hot spring tour

Please tell us more about the standing baths in the large public baths that are a specialty of Takanoyu Onsen.

Koyamada-san, Yumamori
The standing bath in the large bathroom (basically for men) is 130 cm deep. It is a rare deep standing bath that you enter standing up. Since you can enter the baths standing up, you can do walking exercises and soak slowly standing up, which will make your body warm to the core. If you stay at the hotel, there is time to switch between men and women, so women can also experience standing baths.

In addition to the standing baths, there are various other hot springs such as open-air baths and open-air baths with a great natural location.

Koyamada-san, Yumamori
There are 11 baths at Takanoyu Onsen, including footbaths. Each has a different view, so you can enjoy the scenery of each of the four seasons. The temperature of each bath is adjusted according to the bathtub, so you can enjoy a "petit yu-meguri," or "hot spring tour," to find the bathtub that suits your taste. A water bath is available in the large bathhouse. It is said that alternating from cold to warm water improves blood circulation. The open-air baths and footbaths are available only in summer and closed in winter.

The open-air baths are very popular because they allow visitors to feel nature directly, aren't they? The source is 100% free-flowing and the water is lukewarm, so you can enjoy nature while soaking in the hot spring.
The "Notenburo" is a mixed bathing experience, and visitors are allowed to wear swimsuits.
The "open-air baths" are available only in summer. It may be closed even in summer due to weather or source conditions.

Enjoy seasonal meals prepared with local ingredients

Please tell us about your specialties for dinner.

Mr. Koyamada, Yumamori
uses local ingredients and allows you to enjoy the flavors of each season. Rare char sashimi and char grilled with leek miso are served throughout the year. We hope you will enjoy these dishes, which you can only taste when you come to the mountains. In winter, you can enjoy Kiritanpo nabe, a specialty of Akita. The soup of the hot pot is Takanoyu's original soup made from scratch from the chicken bones of Hinai Jidori chicken. The soup is so popular that customers end up drinking all of it.

I was surprised to learn that you serve iwana (char) as sashimi, and I would like to try it. Akita Prefecture is known for its delicious sake. What is the "Iwana Bone Sake" that can be ordered for dinner at Takanoyu Onsen?

Koyamada-san, Yumamori
Iwana (char) bone wine is available by reservation only. A grilled char is placed in Yuzawa sake and steamed for a short while. You can enjoy the savory aroma and taste of this dish. The flavor is enhanced when the char inside is loosened.

The flavor of the char is transferred to the sake from Yuzawa, giving the sake a different taste. Sake made with one grilled char seems extravagant.

Retro Japanese-style guest rooms facing the river

Please tell us more about the building and rooms.

Koyamada-san, Yumamori
Takanoyu Onsen is built in the traditional way and is not barrier-free. There are no elevator facilities and many stairs to the rooms and baths. Because of the horizontal length of the building, it is almost 90 meters from the entrance to the covered open-air baths. All rooms face the river and are Japanese-style rooms (with toilet and washroom).

I see that I have to walk a lot of stairs and corridors to get to the rooms and baths. If you are worried about moving around the building, please contact the inn in advance.

An inn where you can spend time with your dog

Please tell us about the facilities and services that dogs can enjoy in the hotel.

Mr. Koyamada, Yumori
Some of our guest rooms are dedicated to accommodate your dog. There is an indoor dog run and an outdoor dog run (closed in winter). In summer, we also receive a small space for your dog to enter the hot spring. The rooms are equipped with dog gauges. We also provide meals in a private room so that you can bring your dog with you and not share the room with other guests.

It is a wonderful service that your dog can enjoy the hot spring bath in a dedicated space. Shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer, etc. are also provided. Please check the Takanoyu Onsen website for more information about the facilities and equipment for dogs and precautions to take when staying with your dog before making a reservation.

*For more details, please visit "Takanoyu Onsen/Lodging with your dog"

Enjoy nature with your own footbath while taking in the scenery

In addition to the hot springs, are there any other things to do in the area that you recommend?

Koyamada-san, the hot-spring guardian
There is a "Kawahara no yukko" about 5 minutes by car from Takanoyu Onsen. It is an unusual place where you can dig the river using a shovel placed there, and hot spring water will come out and you can make your own footbath. In addition to this, the area is rich in nature, so you can enjoy wild birds and seasonal scenery. Kamuro-san (Mt. Kamuro) and Torageyama (Mt. Torage) are also nearby.

It is a very valuable experience to be able to make your own footbath by adjusting the temperature with hot spring water you dug yourself and water from the river.

Finally, please tell us about your commitment to Yumori and your message to our guests.

Koyamada-san, Yumamori
We hope to provide a relaxing space for everyone. We hope you will enjoy the petit hot spring tour to find a bathtub of your favorite temperature in the hot spring that is the pride of Takanoyu Onsen, as well as the local cuisine. We look forward to welcoming you to Takanoyu Onsen in Akinomiya Onsenkyo, a hot spring resort full of nature.

Enjoy a relaxing time at "Takanoyu Onsen," a secluded hot spring located alongside a clear stream

How was it? In this issue, we asked you about Takanoyu Onsen. Why don't you visit Takanoyu Onsen to soak in the clear and soft water surrounded by nature as far as the eye can see and relax from your daily fatigue?

Location

1, Akinomiya-denjo, Yuzawa, Akita 019-0321

Access

JR Ou Main Line "TakanoyuTake the Komachi Shuttle Akinomiya Line and get off at Takanoyu Onsen Iriguchi (about 45 minutes from Yuzawa Station).

Take the JR Ou Main Line "Yokobori Station" and get off at "Takanoyu Onsen Iriguchi" by "Shared Ride Taxi - Akinomiya Line" (about 50 minutes from "Yokobori Station").

The "Komachi Shuttle" and "Shared Ride Taxi" are operated by Yuzawa Taxi (advance reservation required). For details and reservations, please contact Yuzawa Taxi. For more information and reservations, please refer to the respective websites.

*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.

*All images are for reference only.

Interviewed by: Takanoyu Onsen

◆Next notice

Please enjoy a luxurious time surrounded by nature at Lamp Inn Takamine Onsen! Please look forward to the next installment.
If you would like to know more about "Ji-onsen", please click the link button below.

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