The best Onsen in Aomori 2024

Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefecture in Honshu, the Japanese archipelago.

The average temperature is cool throughout the year, in the low teens, and the Tsugaru region is known for its deep snow, especially in winter. Aomori Prefecture is also characterized by the fact that it faces a variety of oceans, including the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the Tsugaru Straits. Various marine products are landed at each of these seas, making Aomori a treasure trove of seafood.

Along with the sea, Aomori Prefecture also boasts an abundance of nature. The prefecture is dotted with national parks, including the Shirakami Mountains, which are registered as a World Natural Heritage site. The Shirakami Sanchi is particularly famous among the places where visitors can see the abundance of nature.

The Shirakami Mountains are located in southwestern Aomori Prefecture and extend into northwestern Akita Prefecture. In 1993, it was registered as Japan's first World Natural Heritage site, indicating that Aomori Prefecture has a very rich natural environment.

Aomori Prefecture is also characterized by a great abundance of Onsen.

The total number of Onsen in Aomori Prefecture is 1,087, ranking 6th in Japan, and the total gushing volume is 138.559 liters per minute, ranking 4th in Japan. In addition to its abundant Onsen resources, Sukayu Onsen, located in Aomori City, is one of the few Onsen designated as a national recreational Onsen resort in Japan. A national recreational Onsen resort is an area where the use of Onsen is expected to be fully effective and excellent as a healthy Onsen resort.

In addition, Aomori Prefecture offers a wide variety of Onsens in various locations, such as the sea, mountains, and lakes, so touring around the Onsens is highly recommended.

Along with Onsens, Aomori Prefecture also offers a rich cultural experience. One of the most famous is the Nebuta Festival. The Aomori Nebuta Festival is known as one of the most famous festivals in Japan, and its beauty and power are breathtaking. Many people from all over Japan come to visit the Nebuta Festival, and the festival draws a great deal of excitement during the period it is held each year.

Aomori Prefecture has many attractive sightseeing spots, many of which are worth visiting at least once.

Hirosaki Park, famous for its cherry blossoms, and the powerful ice trees on Mt. Hakkoda are just a few of the places that are popular among tourists.

Hirosaki Park, in particular, is an extremely beautiful sight with 2,600 cherry trees in bloom in the spring. The park is also lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

Aomori Prefecture is thus an attractive place to enjoy gourmet food, sightseeing, and onsen to your heart's content.

Get to know Aomori

Access

Aomori Prefecture is located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, the main island of the Japanese archipelago, yet is extremely accessible.

There are various means of transportation to reach Aomori Prefecture, with airplanes, bullet trains, and trains being the most convenient.

The main gateways to Aomori used are Misawa Airport and Aomori Airport for airplanes. For Shinkansen and train, the main gateways to Aomori are Hachinohe Station and Shin-Aomori Station.

Aomori is only 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Tokyo by plane, making for a smooth trip. If you use the Shinkansen from Tokyo, you can take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Aomori in about 3 hours.

Aomori Prefecture is also easily accessible from other cities, making it easy to visit from anywhere in Japan.

From Tokyo

<Airplane> Haneda Airport→Aomori Airport (about 1 hour and 20 minutes)
<Shinkansen> Tokyo Station → Shin-Aomori Station (about 3 hours)

From Nagoya

<Airplane> Nagoya Airport (Komaki Airport) → Aomori Airport (about 1 hour and 20 minutes)
<Shinkansen> Nagoya Station → Tokyo Station → Shin-Aomori Station (about 4 hours and 40 minutes)

From Osaka

<Airplane> Osaka International Airport → Aomori Airport (about 1 hour and 30 minutes)
<Shinkansen> Shin-Osaka → Tokyo Station → Shin-Aomori Station (about 5 hours and 30 minutes)

From Sendai

<Shinkansen>Sendai Station→Shin-Aomori Station (about 1 hour and 40 minutes)
<Bus> Sendai Station→Aomori Station (about 5 hours)

History

Aomori Prefecture is a fascinating place that has built a rich history.

Within the prefecture, various historical sites, such as ruins and castles, can be visited and have become tourist attractions.

The Ohira Yamamoto Ruins, located in Sotogahama-cho, Aomori Prefecture, have unearthed earthenware dating back 16,000 years, making it the oldest and most famous earthenware ever discovered in Japan. The Ohira Yamamoto site is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site, indicating that it is a valuable archaeological site.

In addition, Aomori Prefecture was divided into two regions during the Edo period.

The Tsugaru region, which originated on the Sea of Japan side, and the Nanbu region, which originated on the Pacific side, were delivered by different lords and prospered. The governance that divided the prefecture into two parts has different climates, cultures, and specialties, and both are interesting and fascinating.

The Tsugaru region flourished around its ports and built a rich culture as a center of trade. Among its specialties, apples boast the nation's largest production and remain one of Aomori Prefecture's most representative agricultural products.

The Nanbu region is famous for its horse farms and horse production. Like the Tsugaru region, the southern region has also flourished as a port and played an important role as a hub for shipping routes on the Pacific Ocean side.

Aomori Prefecture, which has developed in such a diverse manner, has long been known for its Onsens.

Aomori Prefecture is rich in long-loved Onsen resorts, such as Sangayu Onsen, which has a history of more than 300 years, and Owani Onsen, which has a history of more than 800 years. Including other Onsen resorts established in modern times, Aomori Prefecture is known as one of the best Onsen spots in Japan.

When you visit Aomori Prefecture, why not enjoy the Onsen that has been passed down from generation to generation along with its history and culture?

Onsen areas

Sukayu Onsen, Asamushi Onsen, Owani Onsen (Tsugaru area)

The Tsugaru area is located in the western part of Aomori Prefecture, centered around Aomori City and Hirosaki City.

The Tsugaru area is home to some of the most popular Onsen in Aomori Prefecture, including Sukayu Onsen, Asamushi Onsen, and Owani Onsen, which attract many visitors.

In particular, Sukayu Onsen is famous for its large open-air baths, called "Hiba Senjinburo," which are approximately 260 ㎡ in size and have a ceiling height of 5 m. The baths are made of hiba (hiba) wood and are used for bathing. The baths are made of hiba (cypress) wood and have a refreshing aroma that relaxes both body and soul.

The Sukayu Onsen was opened about 300 years ago, and has long been used as a therapeutic Onsen cure. The main benefits include a wide range of conditions such as skin diseases, muscle pain, and sensitivity to cold.

The quality of the Onsen water can be seen from the fact that Sukayu Onsen has also been recognized as the first National Recreational Onsen Resort, which is proof of its excellent Onsen quality. The surrounding area is rich in natural scenery and is a popular place to relax after a long day of skiing during the winter season.

In addition to Sukayu Onsen, the Tsugaru area is lined with some of the most popular Onsen in Aomori Prefecture.

Asamushi Onsen is located on the east side of Aomori City, and a long-established Onsen resort area stretches in the vicinity. If you step to the west of the Onsen resort area, you will find a resort with beautiful ocean views, where you can enjoy shopping and swimming.

Turning to the south of the Tsugaru area, you will find Owani Onsen, which has a history of over 800 years. Owani Onsen's hot water is clear and colorless, excellent for moisturizing and keeping your body cool.

There are many traditional public bathhouses around Owani Onsen, where you can enjoy the Onsen that has been loved for a long time.

The Tsugaru area is a representative area of Aomori Prefecture where you can enjoy both sightseeing and visiting Onsen.

Yagen Onsen, Shimoburo Onsenkyo (Shimokita area)

The Shimokita area is located in the northern part of Aomori Prefecture and is surrounded by the sea on all sides.

Most of the area is covered with forests, and the rich natural environment of the Shimokita area is a treasure trove of gourmet food. The lavish use of locally caught fresh seafood is extremely popular among visitors.

In particular, Ohma is famous for its tuna. The fatty, big-grown tuna from Oma is loved as one of the most famous brands in Japan.

Gourmet food is not the only thing to enjoy here.

The Shimokita area offers attractive Onsen such as Yagen Onsen, where you can enjoy the natural surroundings, and Shimoburo Onsen, where you can bathe while looking out over the ocean.

Yagen Onsen is located near Yagen Stream and offers an open location in the midst of nature. About 2 km further on is Okuyagen Onsen, a secluded Onsen with natural Onsen water, which attracts many tourists from outside Aomori Prefecture as well.

Okuyagen Onsen is said to be good for neuralgia and skin diseases, and is a place where you can refresh your body and soul.

On the other hand, if you head to the coast, you will find Shimoburo Onsen, where you can enjoy ocean views.

Shimoburo Onsen is located in the northernmost village of Kazamaura, with the Tsugaru Straits stretching out before your eyes. On a clear day, you may even be able to see Hokkaido beyond the sea.

All of the hot water that can be enjoyed here is free-flowing from the source, and is characterized by its beneficial qualities for neuralgia and women's diseases. At Shimoburo Onsen, visitors can enjoy the fresh seafood landed in the Tsugaru Straits and the Onsens while enjoying a peaceful time.

Thus, the Shimokita area is an attractive place to enjoy the natural environment of the sea and mountains as well as gourmet food.

Towada Kohan Onsen,Oirase Keiryu Onsen(southern area)

The southern area faces the Pacific Ocean and refers to the eastern part of Aomori Prefecture.

This area is surrounded by abundant nature, including Lake Towada and the Oirase mountain stream, which are famous as sightseeing spots. When visiting the southern area for sightseeing, the Hasshoku Center located in Hachinohe City is also recommended.

Hasshoku Center is a gourmet spot with about 60 stores selling fresh seafood, meat, fruit, and vegetables. It is the best place to enjoy Aomori's gourmet food, with many events such as tuna dismemberment shows.

Onsen in the southern area include the relatively new Towada Kohan Onsen, located near Lake Towada, and Oirase Keiryu Onsen, located along a beautiful mountain stream.

Towada Kohan Onsen was established in 2002 in the Lake Towada Yasumiya area, and is easily accessible. The view of Lake Towada, which is also famous as a representative of Aomori Prefecture, makes a relaxing soak in the Onsen a blissful experience.

On the other hand, Oirase Keiryu Onsen is an Onsen where you can bathe while listening to the murmuring of the mountain stream. Although located in the mountains, there are many hotels and inns in the surrounding area, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the superb location.

If you go further into the mountains, you will find Tsuta Onsen, a secluded Onsen that has existed for about 1,000 years. Tsuta Onsen is a very rare Onsen in Japan, with the spring water gushing out from the bottom of the bathtub.

This hidden Onsen, which has been loved by people since ancient times, will warm your body from the core and relieve daily fatigue.

The southern area of Aomori Prefecture has many onsen that can be enjoyed along with beautiful nature, making it a recommended area for those who want to enjoy a quiet time.