Step into Tsuchiyu Onsen, a quaint hot spring town located in Tohoku’s Fukushima Prefecture, which is an oasis of relaxation with a secret bubbling under your feet. Thinking about Fukushima, our minds bring up images of the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Tsuchiyu Onsen has been affected by that dramatic event but througn hard work and creativity of the locals managed to turn the situation around and became an example for other hot spring resorts across Japan! People from Tohoku are incredibly welcoming and compassionate, the town took in many evacuees during the events that unfolded and the local hotels overflowed with people in need. Nevertheless, after 2011 Tsuchiyu experienced a drop in visitors and the locals had to do something to change the fate of their beloved town. Rather than give up in face of adversity, they decided to take a step into the future and do something other hot spring towns were afraid to do!
They established a geothermal energy plant using the natural energy which was hiding in the hot spring waters below their feet! It's a long term plan and the town is still not fully self-reliant but they are hoping to change that in the years to come. This was not an easy decision because many onsen enclosures worry that a plant would negatively affect local tourism. We are happy to inform you that the complete opposite happened: Tsuchiyu became a go-to place for people from other hot spring towns across Japan who are considering a similar move!
Tsuchiyu’s charm doesn’t end with the town’s green endeavours - you’ll also find an array of alluring hot spring establishments, quirky inns and the famous Kokeshi dolls. Take a splash in the public bath or stay overnight at one of the local hotels for the full Tsuchiyu experience. We recommend the YUMORI Onsen Hostel which offers a wide array of rooms and where day visitors can rent a private hot spring bath! Exploring the area, give your feet the well-deserved rest in one of the local foot baths. They are free of charge and one of the greatest pleasures of hot spring towns!
Visiting Tsuchiyu you will be enamoured by the locally crafted Kokeshi dolls which tower over roads and hide away in nooks all over this quaint town - it is, after all, one of the top three main producers of Kokeshi! The dolls are made of wood and originated in Tohoku but other areas such as Gunma produce their own versions. However, Tohoku is the only place where they have kept their original shape with an oblong body and a round head with a black circle at the top. All drivers will feel welcomed to Tsuchiyu by a 9 feet tall pair called Kokeshi siblings which are guarding the bridge. Try painting your personal Kokeshi; it’s an unforgettable experience and a meaningful souvenir you can keep to remember your Japan adventures. And it gets even better - Tsuchiyu wouldn’t be a Japanese town if it didn’t have a mascot. One of the local mascots is a Kokeshi doll and you can find merchandise with its likeness all over the area. If you still can’t get enough Kokeshi, head to the local shrine Yakushi Kokeshido which is a celebration of woodcraft and handcrafted dolls.
Hot spring towns all over the world are characterised by a sulphur smell because of the radiant waters flowing through their veins. Tsuchiyu uses these waters to contribute to the sustainability effort, to give you an unparalleled bathing experience, and…to boil the most incredible eggs! Many houses have access to onsen waters floating under the floor so in the past they would just pop cages filled with eggs in to achieve that distinct flavour and consistency. Onsen eggs are served with a splash of sauce that makes them melt in your mouth.
The rejuvenating waters and local cuisine are reason enough to swing by, but the local nature makes it a must-visit destination. In Japan every season has something else to offer. Spring makes the onsen town look like a flowery oasis filled with pinks and reds. We recommend checking which flowers are in season before planning your visit as the classic cherry blossoms are in full bloom from mid until late April, and the renowned mountain Azaleas bloom between mid and later May but that can easily vary from year to year. You can check them on their official page here.
Otherwise, Tohoku is famous for its autumnal beauty bustling with colour while, in winter, the area is hidden under a gentle and romantic blanket of snow that tugs at the heartstrings. Some of the local natural highlights include the Onuma and Menuma ponds, Omoi-no-Taki Falls, and a suspension bridge with commanding views of Tsuchiyu's flora and fauna.
In short, Tsuchiyu has it all: it's an onsen town rich in Japanese traditions whose resilient inhabitants are forging a path into the future with care and reverence for the local environment.
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