Sukayu Onsen
Aomori Prefecture

At the northernmost part of the Tohoku region in Aomori Prefecture, at the northern part of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, is a hot spring inn on the west foot of Hakkōda's highest peak 900 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by the vast nature with thick forests and alpine plants growing wildly that show the many changes of the four seasons. The wooden inn overflows with the nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. House martins, setting up their nests in attics and flying around the sky, is one of Sukayu's seasonal sights. The hot spring coming from the volcanoes of the Hakkōda Mountains provides an abundance of hot water, making Sukayu Onsen, which is surrounded in beautiful nature, a popular hot spring health resort visited by many people since ancient times.

outside bath

1,000-Person Bath entrance

Signboard

 

History of Sukayu Onsen

In 1684, in the early Edo period, some hunters failed to kill a deer. Three days later, they found the deer, which should have been wounded, running up a rocky mountain and disappearing in an instant. Thinking this was strange, they searched the surroundings and found a gushing hot spring. They noticed that the hot spring has healing effects, and so they gave it the name "Shika no Yu (deer hot spring)" and began using it. The name "Sukayu" came from an alteration of "shikayu".
In 1954, the excellent effects and bountiful water output of the hot spring, vast reception facility, purity of the environment, transportation convenience, and inexpensive fees were acknowledged as one of the few model cases of hot springs in the country, earning it the designation of National Hot Spring Health Resorts No. 1.
The master painter Shikō Munakata, a woodblock artist famous all over the world, also loved this hot spring. He was known to perform toji here while carving numerous works.

Old Japanese scenery

Old Japanese scenery

Sukayu Onsen's Characteristics and Spring Quality

Sukayu Onsen is famous for its 1,000-person Hiba Bath. This large bath is made of Japanese cypress, a type of wood growing in the snowy region that is resistant to water and decay, without a single pillar in its construction, giving an amazing sense of spaciousness and history. The 1,000-person bath has four bathtubs with different water sources: Netsu no Yu, Shibu Rokubu no Yu, Yutaki (waterfall shower), and Rei no Yu (pouring water). The old mixed bathing tradition remains unchanged even today. However, 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. are women only hours. There is also a smaller gender-separated bath, the Tama no Yu.
Sukayu Onsen is a strong acidic sulfur spring. The cloudy water of the spring, the clear air with only a small amount of allergens and UV rays, and the climate of the high grounds work together, making it effective against all kinds of diseases.

1,000-Person Hiba Bath

Hot spring medical treatment consultation room

Spring quality
Acidic sulfur spring (calcium sulfate, acidic hydrogen sulfide spring)
Effects
Nerve pain, rheumatism, skin disease, women's diseases, stomach troubles, hemorrhoids

Netsu no Yu

The water source comes out from the bottom of the bath. Contrary to its name (netsu no yu meaning “hot water”), the water is lukewarm, but it will warm the body to the core, and will maintain the warmth for a long time.

Shibu Rokubu no Yu

Hotter than Netsu no Yu, but retains the warmth for a shorter period. The warmth can be retained for about from 40% to 60%, hence the name (Shibu Rokubu no Yu meaning “from 40% to 60%”).

Rei no Yu (pouring water)

Pour this water before and after bathing. It uses water from a cold mineral spring with a lower temperature.

Yutaki (waterfall shower)

Hot water flows down from a high place. Having this water hit the body gives a massaging effect on the shoulders and lower back.

Tama no Yu (gender-separated)

A small gender-separated bath with enough space to relax. Also equipped with a shower.

How to bathe in Sukayu Onsen

The best bathing method

  • Due to the high amount of minerals and high acidity, pouring the water on the body or soaking in the bath for a short time is recommended in the beginning.
  • As you become used to bathing in the hot springs, it is recommend to soak in the bath three times a day for three days over a ten-day period for good results.
  • Drink plenty of tea, warm water, or water before bathing to promote sweating.
  • Soak in the bath 1 - 2 hours after a meal. Each bath should be 20 – 30 minutes. Take 2 – 3 baths or 5 – 6 baths a day depending on your physical condition. Avoid taking too many baths. The bathing frequency should be reduced in the second half of the toji process.
  • Avoid using soap and makeup during the toji process to let the hot spring minerals seep into your body. It is also recommended to refrain from taking baths for 1 - 2 days after you go home to maximize the hot spring's effects.
  • Do not let the yutaki strike the affected part too strongly from the start. Furthermore, do not let it strike your stomach.
  • Soak parts of your body such as your hands only, feet only, or below the waist only without getting out of the bath.
  • After bathing, quickly return to your room and rest for about an hour on the futon.

How to take a bath in the 1,000-Person Hiba Bath

  • Before bathing, pour Rei no Yu over your body and lightly wash yourself.
  • If the water gets in your eyes, it will sting a bit, but the pain will soon be gone. You may use the prepared plastic bag when using the yutaki.
  • Do not occupy the yutaki too long. Make sure to take turns with other users.
  • Do not leer or gaze at the opposite gender, whether you are a man or a woman. The mixed bath offers the finest peaceful bathing conditions, putting great importance on harmony regardless of age and gender.
    *Bathing clothes for women that can be used in the hot spring are sold.
 

Model Plans for Staying at Sukayu Onsen

Sukayu Onsen Suggested Itineraries

A.4-Day Sukayu Onsen Stay and Magical Oirase and Hakkoda World Heritage Trekking

Spring, Summer, Fall

  • Tokyo Station > (Shinkansen) > Shichinohe-Towada Station > (Car/ Rental Car) > Lake Towada (Local specialty Himemasu on rice and Himemasu cutlet on rice Lunch and Walk)…Lake Towada Canoeing > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast)…Mt.Hakkoda Walk (Half or one-day guided climbing course etc.)…Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Shirakami-Sanchi Trekking (5-hour course with guide etc., lunch included) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Oirase Tour> (Car/ Rental Car) > Horse-riding (Towada Horse-Riding Club) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Lunch > (Car/ Rental Car) > Shichinohe-Towada Station > (Shinkansen) > Tokyo Station

Sukayu Onsen Suggested Itineraries

B.4-Day Sukayu Onsen Stay and Japanese Culture/ Tsugaru Life and Tsugaru Big-Three Festival Experience in Aomori

Spring, Summer, Fall

  • Tokyo Station > (Shinkansen) > Shin-Aomori Station > (Car/ Rental Car) > Towada Art Center > (Car/ Rental Car) > (Local specialty Himemasu on rice and Himemasu cutlet on rice Lunch > (Car/ Rental Car) > Oirase Walk > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Hirosaki Castle, Tsugaruhan Neputamura, Fujita Memorial Garden > (Car/ Rental Car) > (Lunch) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Kuroishi, Inakadate Village Tanbo Art > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Tachineputa no Yakata (Coloring Nebuta goldfish experience) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Tsugaru Kanayama Pottery Studio Visit and Lunch or Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum “Shayokan”Visit (Kanagi Genki Club, experience making regional Unpei sweets, old Japanese-style house café lunch) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Aomori City Izakaya (Japanese pub) Experience > (Car/ Rental Car) (if drinking, hire a driver) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Nebuta House Warasse, A Factory…Aomori Tourist Information Center Asupam (Nokke Don Lunch) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sannai Maruyama Site (Jomon life experience etc.) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Shin Aomori Station > (Shinkansen) > Tokyo Station

Sukayu Onsen Suggested Itineraries

C.4-Day Sukayu Onsen Stay and Winter Activity and Experience

Winter

  • Tokyo Station > (Shinkansen) > Shichinohe-Towada Station > (Car/ Rental Car) > Towada Art Center > (Car/ Rental Car) > (Local specialty Himemasu on rice and Himemasu cutlet on rice Lunch > (Car/ Rental Car) > Oirase Walk > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Hakkoda Snowshoe or backcountry (Lunch) Hakkoda Snowshoe or backcountry > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > World Heritage,Shirakami Sanchi Snow Trekking > (Car/ Rental Car) > (Lunch)> (Car/ Rental Car) > Stove Train Experience (departure/ arrival:Goshogawara Station)> (Car/ Rental Car) >Dinner(Aomori City)> (Car/ Rental Car) > Sukayu Onsen (Dinner, Stay Overnight)
  • Sukayu Onsen (Breakfast) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Nebuta House Warasse, A Factory…Aomori Tourist Information Center Asupam (Nokke Don Lunch) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Sannai Maruyama Site (Jomon life experience etc.) > (Car/ Rental Car) > Shin Aomori Station > (Shinkansen) > Tokyo Station

Lodging facilities

Sukayu Onsen Ryokan

Location
50 Minami-Arakawayama, Kokuyurin Sukayuzawa, Arakawa-Aza, Aomori-shi, Aomori 030-0197

Sukayu Onsen Ryokan has the large public Hiba bath, Tamayu bath, the toji building and the inn section as a lodging facility, various types of guestrooms, dining hall and soba restaurant, cafe, karaoke rooms, and a gallery available. There is also a shared kitchen in the toji building. Long-term stays are welcome.

Website

Reservation site

  • Wholesome meals

  • Dining scene image

  • Shared kitchen

  • Guestroom example Inn Bldg. No.7

  • Guestroom example Toji Bldg. No.3

  • Wholesome meals

  • Dining scene image

  • Shared kitchen

  • Guestroom example Inn Bldg. No.7

  • Guestroom example Toji Bldg. No.3