Nyuto Onsen – Hot Springs in t

Nyuto Onsen – Hot Springs in the Akita Valley
– October 20, 2025

In the quiet autumn foliage of northern Japan, a winding path amid fields and fiery foliage leads us to a straw-roofed village that has remained largely unchanged.

Old wooden houses, thatched with thatch and stacked timbers, resemble the skin of the mountain itself. Surrounded by tall suzuki trees, the autumn leaves sway in the cool breeze. Akita's autumn is filled with the scent of rain-soaked wood and the hum of forest insects. This village is not just a scene, but a glimpse into the real life of the people of "Yukatamura" (湯治村), or healing villages—where locals use natural hot springs to heal ailments and recuperate from travel.

This is Nyuto Onsen (Nyūtō Onsen-kyō), a historic onsen village in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, comprising seven hot springs.

1. Tsuru-no-yu (Oldest, Milky White)
2. Kuroyu (Dark Gray Water) (Distinctive sulfur smell)
3. Magoroku (Small forest pond with outdoor bath)
4. Ganiba (Streamside pond with a tranquil atmosphere)
5. Taenoyu (Valley view, open to the public)
6. Ogama (Forest hot spring with clear mineral water)
7. Kyukamura (Onsen in a national park lodge)

Legend has it that during the Edo period, samurai from the Kuba clan often came to Tsuru-no-yu to heal their ailments. This hot spring was named after the cranes that once stopped to heal their wounds there. People believed that the hot springs from Mount Nyuto were "nature's medicine," healing both body and soul.

So, where did we go to capture some photos and enjoy the onsen? Stay tuned for the next episode! 😀

📍 Semboku, Akita Prefecture, Japan
Recommended time: October — The red leaves and the hot air converge at their most beautiful.

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