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Onsen Destinations in Northern Japan

North of Tokyo, crossing up through Honshu Island, the Tohoku region is one of Japan’s most preserved havens. Bridging the northernmost island of Hokkaido and the more visited center of Honshu, made up of the Japanese Alps and the Kansai region, Tohoku can be easily overlooked as an “in-between” region, but doing so ignores one of the country’s most cultural and nature-rich areas. This traditional heritage and the region’s abundant wild landscapes, from snowy mountains to lush forests and rocky shorelines, makes it an ideal destination to enjoy onsen. 

The more northern location of Tohoku also means that winters are relatively colder with more snowfall, making it one of the best environments to enjoy a warm, relaxing onsen! Many volcanoes - and their healing hot springs - can be found throughout the region, which explains the amount of onsen towns that can be found within Northern Japan. 

Northern Japan

This is also true for Hokkaido, both one of Japan’s major islands and an entire prefecture in itself. It is the most northern of the four major islands and has a distinct feel and geography. Indeed, in no other part of Japan is nature more dominant, with wide-reaching fields, white-coated mountains and volcanoes, frozen lakes and heavier snowfall compared to other parts of the country. This climate is ideal for enjoying the warmth of natural onsen, especially in outdoor settings, such as in a rotenburo. 


Onsen destinations in Tohoku

Zao Onsen (Yamagata Prefecture)

The volcanic Mount Zao is located between Miyagi Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture in Tohoku. It is often flocked to by visitors for its 12 quality slopes for winter sports. On those slopes, the so-called “snow monsters,” large trees that get covered with snow during winter and take on a foreboding appearance, are signature landmarks. On the Yamagata side of the mountain, Zao Onsen is one of the most beloved hot spring towns, not just in Tohoku but throughout Japan. 

While winter is the most popular time to go to Zao, it’s a worthwhile destination in summer as well, with the scenery around the famous Okama Crater being vibrant and gorgeous. This is a large crater near the summit of Mount Zao itself with a lake housed within it. Okama (御釜) in this context refers to a traditional type of pot for cooking, as the crater is said to resemble such. The journey up the mountain to the crater is just as much of an attraction for nature lovers!

The Okama Crater

The waters of Zao Onsen are notable for their relatively high acidity and sulfur levels. They’re among the most acidic throughout the archipelago, with a pH level of almost 1! There are a number of classically styled bathhouses throughout the town, each a great way to end a day of skiing or snowboarding down the slopes. 

The Zao area

Ginzan Onsen (Yamagata Prefecture)

Ginzan Onsen looks almost like out of a film, with buildings in traditional Japanese style lining the central river that cuts through the town. Many of these wooden-constructed buildings stack up to three or four stories. During winter, especially, the townscape of Ginzan Onsen is picturesque, with the aesthetic architecture and wooden bridges above the river adorned with crisp, white snow. 

The center of Ginzan Onsen has relatively narrow streets, and it is a pedestrian-only spot that is great for walking around. Visitors can even don a yukata, a traditional piece of Japanese clothing that is akin to a kimono made of cotton, as they traverse around the town for an authentic Japanese experience! 

Ginzan Onsen

The nature around Ginzan Onsen is also an alluring draw. Toward the back of the town is a famous waterfall. Nearby, a historic silver mine can be visited, which was the town’s primary means of economic growth into the Edo Period. There is a nature trail past the waterfall and mine that leads to another section of the mine, though it is not accessible from winter to the early parts of spring due to snowfall. 

Higashiyama Onsen (Fukushima Prefecture)

Higashiyama Onsen is nearby the Aizu Wakamatsu area in Fukushima Prefecture, famous for its strong connections to the samurai culture of Japan from centuries ago. Higashiyama Onsen is a stop on the Aizu Loop Bus, making it a great spot to relax and stay while also being within reach of the castle town for easier exploration!

The ryokans and bathhouses of Higashiyama Onsen are located on the banks of the Yukawa River that runs through the town. The waters of the baths themselves are notable for their high sodium-sulfate content, which is great for the skin and promotes proper circulation throughout the body. Just like many onsen towns in Japan, the autumn scenery viewed from the baths is a true spectacle and one of the best things to experience in rural Japan.

Higashiyama Onsen

Higashiyama Onsen is also home to a traditional geisha culture (known as geigi in the area). Reservations for their performances can be made to witness this unique piece of Japanese culture and history firsthand. The central Aizu Wakamatsu area is only 10 minutes away by car, so checking out the attractions there, such as the castle and other samurai-related activities, is a must when staying at Higashiyama. 


Onsen destinations in Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen

With its hot springs created by volcanic activity over 10,000 years ago, welcoming visitors in its waters for over 5 centuries, Noboribetsu Onsen is one of Japan’s most revered hot spring town, and arguably Hokkaido’s most famous onsen destination. Dozens of different baths are available, with 10 hot springs feeding them, coming from the Jigokudani Valley - Noboribetsu Onsen lies at the foot of Mount Hiyori, a volcano which created the surrounding landscape called “Hell Valley”, where sulfur steams from the ground and lakes of the area. 

The Noboribetsu area

Dai-ichi Takimotokan is the largest bath establishment in town, and also the oldest. It features 35 onsens with healing waters coming from 5 different sources, and it also boasts perhaps one of Noboribetsu Onsen’s most magnificent baths, which offers stunning views of the Jigokudani Valley. Throughout the town, you will find day-use onsens, as well as ryokans, and multiple rotenburo - outdoor baths where you can bathe in steaming hot water while it snows around you. 


Jozankei Onsen

A stone’s throw from Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city, Jozankei Onsen is another unmissable onsen destination in Japan’s northernmost prefecture. The largest onsen town on the island, it features over 20 ryokans, as well as day-use establishments. Jozankei Onsen lies on the banks of the Toyohira River, in the middle of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, offering gorgeous views of the surrounding natural landscapes. It’s a particularly loved destination in the fall, thanks to the forests overlooking the town turning shades of deep crimson, red and orange. But Jozankei Onsen is an all-year haven, its canyons sporting stunning colors in the spring as well as the winter. 

Lake Shikotsu

The hot spring sources feeding the towns’ baths have been discovered over 150 years ago, and its healing waters have since been praised by visitors. A monk first unveiled the mineral springs of the region, bringing in the sick and the injured for healing. If today, travelers come for the leisure and the beautiful decor, this legacy still paints the atmosphere of this relaxing onsen town, that offers way more than onsen bathing. Around Jozankei, you will find multiple ski resorts to enjoy, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking or canoeing down the river. And if you miss the big city life, Sapporo is barely an hour away!


Yunokawa Onsen

Yunokawa Onsen is one of Hokkaido’s three most famous hot spring resorts, along with the aforementioned destinations. While it’s less scenic than its counterparts, it’s undeniably the most accessible: it’s right in the heart of Hakodate, Hokkaido’s third-biggest city and most importantly the easiest to reach from Honshu, Japan’s mainland. Indeed, the city can be reached by train through a combination of Shinkansen and local train, or by ferry from Aomori in Tohoku. 

Hakodate

Yunokawa Onsen features around 20 onsen establishments, with more than half being open to day-use visitors, and some even overlooking the sea! The healing properties of the hot springs have first been mentioned in writings over 5 centuries ago, but the area didn’t thrive as an onsen resort town until 1886, when more spring sources were discovered, allowing for baths to open to the public. The city of Hakodate developed at the same time, placing this onsen town in a unique location in Japan, steps away from the city’s main attractions. You can enjoy a day of walking around this bustling northern metropolis, and unwind at a natural, rejuvenating onsen afterward: the best of both worlds!

Yunokawa Onsen, credit Hokkaido Tourism Organization

How to get around North Japan?

North Japan stretches over 1,500 kilometers to the north of Tokyo. Needless to say, the region is best explored by train or by plane, though renting a car from a city to then head out into the countryside is also a viable option. 

Yamadera in Yamagata Prefecture

If you wish to travel by train, you can hop on the Tohoku Shinkansen train to major destinations such as Fukushima, Sendai or Aomori. From there, you can transfer to the Hokkaido Shinkansen, which currently terminates in Hakodate, but will soon be extended to Sapporo. Not to worry though, Japan’s northernmost island benefits from an extensive local train network, that will get you anywhere you need. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the JR Hokkaido Pass to travel unlimited on these lines! The Tohoku region also features many local train lines, that can be easily ridden thanks to the area’s available regional passes.

From Tokyo, you can head north by plane, many domestic flights serving the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions. In Tohoku, seven airports can be your gateway into the region, most notably in Sendai, Aomori and Akita. Frequent flights will also get you to Hokkaido, Sapporo being served by the New Chitose Airport, or the Hakodate and Kushiro airports being practical entries into Hokkaido’s many sights and attractions.

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