Soak in natural hot springs and recharge at this atmospheric spa town

Warm up after skiing or unwind after a long day of hiking at Sujiyu Onsen, a hot-spring hamlet in the foothills of the Kuju mountain range. This hot-spring area is located 1,000 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Waita, and only a 15-minute drive from Tadewara Marsh.

Suijyu Onsen’s four public baths each have their own distinctive features. Utase Daiyokujo is the most famous, with 18 hot springs that cascade into it from 2-meters above. Sitting under these streams of water is said to work wonders on climbers’ tight shoulders. There are three other public hot springs in town: Iwanyu, an open-air bath made of stone, Yakushi, a fragrant indoor bath made of cypress wood, and Ikoi, an outdoor footbath.