Nyuto Onsenkyo
Nyuto Onsenkyo
4.5
About
Welcome to Nyuto hot springs in Akita, JAPAN Situated deep in the mountains of Nyuto in the Akita Prefecture, there is a stretch of onsens that remain nearly undiscovered by tourists. Their views are breathtaking and simply put, each one is a little slice of hidden paradise. There are seven hot springs. For the details,please check the each hot springs's page. - Tsurunoyu - Taenoyu - Kuroyu - Magoroku - Ogama - Ganiba - Kyukamura
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
154 reviews
Excellent
92
Very good
44
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14
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2
tkgox
Oxford, UK37 contributions
Nov 2022
We visited this Onsen briefly using the shuttle bus from our main stay, which I think was a far more authentic and isolated place rather than this somewhat more ‘touristy’ and frequented place. The buildings certainly are wonderfully unspoiled and authentic, and it is easy to visit for an hour or so to wallow in the onsen for long enough.
The pools are large and easy to use .. the ‘mixed’ one was the only available for me (a man) and except for one perhaps brave elderly woman later on, was entirely used by mainly middle aged males. My wife felt much more comfortable using the womens only pool close by, and I think she found there was more sociable chat between the bathers than the wholly dumbfounded group of men in my pool!
Although I wouldn’t be as ‘down’ on this place as one of the other reviewers, I do agree that the loads of day trippers are more off-putting, and the other more private and isolated onsen ryokans offer a far better experience overall.
The pools are large and easy to use .. the ‘mixed’ one was the only available for me (a man) and except for one perhaps brave elderly woman later on, was entirely used by mainly middle aged males. My wife felt much more comfortable using the womens only pool close by, and I think she found there was more sociable chat between the bathers than the wholly dumbfounded group of men in my pool!
Although I wouldn’t be as ‘down’ on this place as one of the other reviewers, I do agree that the loads of day trippers are more off-putting, and the other more private and isolated onsen ryokans offer a far better experience overall.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
neminskii
Singapore, Singapore1,085 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
I came to Nyuto Onsen with the intention of 'onsen-hopping'. Nyuto Onsen is made up of 7 onsens in the region. I bought an 'onsen-hopping passport' for 1550 yen which gave me access to all 7 onsens. The passport was valid for one year but I only had the afternoon and the next morning to visit all 7. The passport was a bound booklet and each time you visit each onsen you get a stamp on it.
If you decide to visit each onsen ala-carte, it will cost 510 yen per onsen.
The onsen day trippers opening hours for each onsen is as follows:
1. Tsurunoyu: 1000 - 1500
2. Kuroyu Onsen: 0900 - 1600
3. Magoroku Onsen: 0800 - 1700
4. Ogama Onsen: 0900 - 1630
5. Ganiba Onsen: 0900 - 1630
6. Taenoyu: 1000 - 1500
7. National Park Resort Village: 1100 - 1700
There is a shuttle bus that will bring you around but you need to ask the receptionist at each onsen to make the booking for you at least one hour in advance.
I would very much like to write this review with the kanji names of the onsen next to the romanized Japanese names but somehow Tripadvisor deems that to be writing the review in 'more than one language' and rejected that version of the review. The bus timetable is in the pictures but you will need to google for the kanji names of the onsens and match it with the names on the timetable.
I managed to visit 5 out of 7 onsens. Taenoyu seemed to be closed for cleaning on Tuesday so sadly I missed that.
Should you have limited time, I would recommend you at least visit Tsurunoyu and Ganiba Onsen, which I will review separately. If you do visit Ganiba Onsen, Ogama Onsen and Taenoyu is just walking distance down the road.
Most of the staff at the onsens can only speak in Japanese except the nice uncle at Kuroyu Onsen.
If you decide to visit each onsen ala-carte, it will cost 510 yen per onsen.
The onsen day trippers opening hours for each onsen is as follows:
1. Tsurunoyu: 1000 - 1500
2. Kuroyu Onsen: 0900 - 1600
3. Magoroku Onsen: 0800 - 1700
4. Ogama Onsen: 0900 - 1630
5. Ganiba Onsen: 0900 - 1630
6. Taenoyu: 1000 - 1500
7. National Park Resort Village: 1100 - 1700
There is a shuttle bus that will bring you around but you need to ask the receptionist at each onsen to make the booking for you at least one hour in advance.
I would very much like to write this review with the kanji names of the onsen next to the romanized Japanese names but somehow Tripadvisor deems that to be writing the review in 'more than one language' and rejected that version of the review. The bus timetable is in the pictures but you will need to google for the kanji names of the onsens and match it with the names on the timetable.
I managed to visit 5 out of 7 onsens. Taenoyu seemed to be closed for cleaning on Tuesday so sadly I missed that.
Should you have limited time, I would recommend you at least visit Tsurunoyu and Ganiba Onsen, which I will review separately. If you do visit Ganiba Onsen, Ogama Onsen and Taenoyu is just walking distance down the road.
Most of the staff at the onsens can only speak in Japanese except the nice uncle at Kuroyu Onsen.
Written October 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yew Hong Ng
Singapore, Singapore196 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
This was an awesome trip. I had prior to this spent two nights in Tazawako (see my review for Rose Park Hotel), and then before that 2 nights in Kakunodate. In Nyuto, I spent two nights in Tsurunoyu Onsen Ryokan (of which I also submitted a review). This review will focus on the hiking that I did around the area.
There is a hiking trail around the entire Nyuto area. The map is available at the tourism centre in the Tazawako Train Station - remember to visit it. You can also find them and other relevant brochures on the Tazawako Tourism website:
http://ohtazawako.blogspot.sg/p/mapsschedule.html
However, the map that really helped me was on this brochure which you have to get from the tourist centre. I have included this map along with other photos on this review.
Since I was staying at Tsurunoyu, I started on the path from there. The start of the path is right beside the carpark of Tsurunoyu. You will see a huge signboard with a map of the trail, and a flight of stairs up. This path has a name - the "Shin Oku no Hosomichi". Literally it means the "new narrow path to the deep", which is a play on the travel journal "Oku no hosomichi" by Basho. Take note however - some parts of this trail is really narrow. Take the flight of stairs up to see the Tsurunoyu Shrine. From here, follow the path until you see a fallen direction pole - you should turn to the right towards a stream. At this early stage of the hike, if you do not have a hiking pole, it is a good idea to look around for a broken branch to act as one as it would useful at some difficult points of the hike. In fact, I was so grateful to the branch that I found and used as a pole that I placed it at the front of the Tsurunoyu Shrine and bowed to it after I have completed the hike. If you find it and use it, please put it back at the shrine for others to use.
Descend all the way down - there will be a plank for you to cross the stream (see photo). From here on, it is uphill all the way for almost an hour, with parts of the trail being very narrow and overlooking steep slopes. A hiking would be really useful here to test the ground that you are going to step on so that you don't step on anything that will give way and plunge you down the hill.
I almost wanted to turn back, as it was difficult to balance myself with my heavy sling camera bag, but I was glad I persevered. Once you pass this uphill stage, the rest of the trail is quite easy and will bring you to waterfalls, rapids, passing by almost all the onsens in the Nyuto area. Some of the onsens provide lunch - I had mine at the Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo, which has a modern restaurant where you can order a good variety of food.
Along the way, you can visit any of the onsens and pay a nominal fee to enjoy the baths. If you stayed overnight in any of the onsen ryokans, you can also buy a coupon which will allow you free access to any of the onsens in Nyuto. Note that the coupons come in two types - those that include transport, and those that do not. I think it is a good idea to bring a towel. I'm not sure whether you are allowed to but there are points where the rivers and streams turn into a small and safe pond-like area where you can possible dip yourself into. I'd do that if I did the hike in the deep of summer.
My only problem with the trail is around the Wetlands area, where there is a drawing of a plank crossing a lake-like picture. I managed to find the plank, but was unable to find the subsequent path that would have brought me to Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo. Strangely, after I cross the plank, I end up on a T juncture which if I turn left, I end up at the start of the plank again, and if I turn right, it went into a wild road that I gave up on after a while. So I went back and took the paths nearer to the roads instead. Perhaps you will have greater luck.
The paths back to Tsurunoyu, called the kyudo (old path) were beautiful. You will cross a stream with a suspension bridge, and after crossing, I went down to the stream beside the bridge to take photos of the rapids. This path will really give you a sense of what it was like in the past for the nobles and samurais to travel to the onsen.
I started at around 8am, and finished around 2.30pm, spending quite some time along the trail to sit and enjoy the nature, as well as having lunch. After the hike, it was an awesome experience to sit in the onsens of Tsurunoyu to rest my muscles.
There is a hiking trail around the entire Nyuto area. The map is available at the tourism centre in the Tazawako Train Station - remember to visit it. You can also find them and other relevant brochures on the Tazawako Tourism website:
http://ohtazawako.blogspot.sg/p/mapsschedule.html
However, the map that really helped me was on this brochure which you have to get from the tourist centre. I have included this map along with other photos on this review.
Since I was staying at Tsurunoyu, I started on the path from there. The start of the path is right beside the carpark of Tsurunoyu. You will see a huge signboard with a map of the trail, and a flight of stairs up. This path has a name - the "Shin Oku no Hosomichi". Literally it means the "new narrow path to the deep", which is a play on the travel journal "Oku no hosomichi" by Basho. Take note however - some parts of this trail is really narrow. Take the flight of stairs up to see the Tsurunoyu Shrine. From here, follow the path until you see a fallen direction pole - you should turn to the right towards a stream. At this early stage of the hike, if you do not have a hiking pole, it is a good idea to look around for a broken branch to act as one as it would useful at some difficult points of the hike. In fact, I was so grateful to the branch that I found and used as a pole that I placed it at the front of the Tsurunoyu Shrine and bowed to it after I have completed the hike. If you find it and use it, please put it back at the shrine for others to use.
Descend all the way down - there will be a plank for you to cross the stream (see photo). From here on, it is uphill all the way for almost an hour, with parts of the trail being very narrow and overlooking steep slopes. A hiking would be really useful here to test the ground that you are going to step on so that you don't step on anything that will give way and plunge you down the hill.
I almost wanted to turn back, as it was difficult to balance myself with my heavy sling camera bag, but I was glad I persevered. Once you pass this uphill stage, the rest of the trail is quite easy and will bring you to waterfalls, rapids, passing by almost all the onsens in the Nyuto area. Some of the onsens provide lunch - I had mine at the Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo, which has a modern restaurant where you can order a good variety of food.
Along the way, you can visit any of the onsens and pay a nominal fee to enjoy the baths. If you stayed overnight in any of the onsen ryokans, you can also buy a coupon which will allow you free access to any of the onsens in Nyuto. Note that the coupons come in two types - those that include transport, and those that do not. I think it is a good idea to bring a towel. I'm not sure whether you are allowed to but there are points where the rivers and streams turn into a small and safe pond-like area where you can possible dip yourself into. I'd do that if I did the hike in the deep of summer.
My only problem with the trail is around the Wetlands area, where there is a drawing of a plank crossing a lake-like picture. I managed to find the plank, but was unable to find the subsequent path that would have brought me to Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo. Strangely, after I cross the plank, I end up on a T juncture which if I turn left, I end up at the start of the plank again, and if I turn right, it went into a wild road that I gave up on after a while. So I went back and took the paths nearer to the roads instead. Perhaps you will have greater luck.
The paths back to Tsurunoyu, called the kyudo (old path) were beautiful. You will cross a stream with a suspension bridge, and after crossing, I went down to the stream beside the bridge to take photos of the rapids. This path will really give you a sense of what it was like in the past for the nobles and samurais to travel to the onsen.
I started at around 8am, and finished around 2.30pm, spending quite some time along the trail to sit and enjoy the nature, as well as having lunch. After the hike, it was an awesome experience to sit in the onsens of Tsurunoyu to rest my muscles.
Written June 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChiaJoyce
Singapore, Singapore106 contributions
Dec 2015
We stayed at the Taenoyu Onsen which is just a 5 mins walk from Nyuto Onsen and this is the best onsen i have ever gone to!!! the ride from Tokyo was a 4 hour ride via bullet train but it was all worth it!
It's a small ryokan but very personalised in terms of the service - there are about 6 onsen, 1 private and 1 mixed. Everyday, they change the location of the male and female onsen so you could get exposed to different views while enjoying the onsen. I finally realised why people say that onsen "nourishes" your soul - in the cold winter and when you are out in the open bath in the 42 degrees water, you feel so peaceful and relaxed! It was a wonderful experience and i have never tried onsen during winters and this is certainly one of the best.
Upon check-in, they will give you an overview on the onsen and what time is breakfast served etc.... Our server - Haga-san is patient and this ryokan serves one of the best mochi in Japan! The skin is thin and tender, certainly melts in your mouth.
Dinner is served in the traditional kaiseki style and the kiritanpo here is fantastic - famous hot pot served in Akita during autumn/winter. Chicken and rice sticks on a stick with wild vegetables. The ingredients are so fresh and definitely an excellent experience.
Please do book yourself in Taenoyu Hot Spring when you visit Tazawako the next time. I will be sure to be back.
It's a small ryokan but very personalised in terms of the service - there are about 6 onsen, 1 private and 1 mixed. Everyday, they change the location of the male and female onsen so you could get exposed to different views while enjoying the onsen. I finally realised why people say that onsen "nourishes" your soul - in the cold winter and when you are out in the open bath in the 42 degrees water, you feel so peaceful and relaxed! It was a wonderful experience and i have never tried onsen during winters and this is certainly one of the best.
Upon check-in, they will give you an overview on the onsen and what time is breakfast served etc.... Our server - Haga-san is patient and this ryokan serves one of the best mochi in Japan! The skin is thin and tender, certainly melts in your mouth.
Dinner is served in the traditional kaiseki style and the kiritanpo here is fantastic - famous hot pot served in Akita during autumn/winter. Chicken and rice sticks on a stick with wild vegetables. The ingredients are so fresh and definitely an excellent experience.
Please do book yourself in Taenoyu Hot Spring when you visit Tazawako the next time. I will be sure to be back.
Written January 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom P
Issaquah, WA39 contributions
Aug 2018
The onsen baths are great and relaxing, of course, but we really enjoyed the food. We stayed in one of the older traditional rooms which had the "irori" in the floor. They skewered and cooked trout over the coals right there in the room - very fun and delicious. We had lots of veggies including eggplant, fern sprouts, and mushrooms. Everything was delicious. We went in August - is was hot and humid in Tokyo, but much cooler and pleasant here.
Written September 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaurelPrince
Los Angeles, CA90 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Nyuto Onsen has a very nice location, and nice baths. Service was definitely lacking though, with lack of attentiveness and an almost smug attitude towards guests. [I speak Japanese, so I could sense that perhaps more than one would in English]. Beware that rooms in the buildings lining the entrance is almost primitive, and cannot be locked. Food is reasonably good, but not as good as many other onsen. I had the feeling this place truly does rest on its laurels, and assumes that visitors will come no matter what because of the baths themselves. Be prepared for day-tripping gawkers, sometimes in tour buses, with the occasional lecherous eye checking for nudity in the baths. The best bath is the unmarked private bath right next to the stream; no tourists there.
Bring your own outdoor slippers if you have larger feet. Oddly, management doesn't have any larger ones.
Bring your own outdoor slippers if you have larger feet. Oddly, management doesn't have any larger ones.
Written August 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saldesalsal
Newcastle, Australia65 contributions
Feb 2011 • Couples
My husband and I did a day trip to Ganiba Onsen, specifically to the mixed gender outdoor facilities. Although we were body conscious, we put all of that aside and built up the courage to be naked outdoors with strangers. It was stunning with snow around the onsen, and we found the entire experience to be liberating, relaxing, and traditional. The facilities at Ganiba were very clean and tidy, though with no romaji and kanji only utilised, even someone with a basic level of Japanese can find small moments of confusion. For instance, the outdoor onsen at Ganiba does not require the expected washing prior to entry. The female side of the change room is on the left too.
Written June 28, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pogsie
South San Francisco, California58 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
We went on an “Onsen-hopping” in the area, and Nyuto Onsen was our last stop out of the three places we stayed. Although we only stayed for one night, it was enough for us to experience the lack of authenticity of this place. There’s also smugness amongst the workers, less customer-friendly compared to the rest. At check-in, the “reception” was unwelcoming.
There’s also tons of day-trippers.
The room we stayed at, though clean, had clear marks of wear and tear (specifically the stained tatami). The most disappointing part are the onsen baths. For men, there are two -three small indoor baths that can probably fit two people. The best one is the mixed-bath or the private baths.
Food was good, at least. Dinner was served in the room, and breakfast in a common area.
Would I go here again to stay? No. It lacks the welcoming atmosphere that we’ve experienced at other Ryokans. Are the baths worth it? No. Is the surrounding area beautiful? Yes. Visit maybe as part of the Onsen bath tour, but keep it at that. If you want superb experience in the area - try Taenoyu instead.
There’s also tons of day-trippers.
The room we stayed at, though clean, had clear marks of wear and tear (specifically the stained tatami). The most disappointing part are the onsen baths. For men, there are two -three small indoor baths that can probably fit two people. The best one is the mixed-bath or the private baths.
Food was good, at least. Dinner was served in the room, and breakfast in a common area.
Would I go here again to stay? No. It lacks the welcoming atmosphere that we’ve experienced at other Ryokans. Are the baths worth it? No. Is the surrounding area beautiful? Yes. Visit maybe as part of the Onsen bath tour, but keep it at that. If you want superb experience in the area - try Taenoyu instead.
Written December 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reflectorgo
Cork, Ireland560 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
This was so charming and beautiful. We visited in November when the leaves were red but the weather was warm to be outside comfortably. I wish very much we'd had time to walk in the surrounding forest. The road to the onsen was very narrow and I would have been afraid to drive it by myself but luckily our friends were driving the car. There's a charming waterwheel and such silence and peace in this wonderful forest. The onsen is very simple, it can't have changed much in 100 years.
Written October 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EndlessVoyage
California1,134 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
The room was booked for us by a good friend and from all accounts we were lucky to have accommodation in the older section. It was a beautiful traditional room, with an area in the floor where our dinner was cooked before our eyes. This was my husbands first Olsen experience, and my first mixed Olsen experience. As the previous reader wrote, it was not intimidating and actually a bit less so than more modern settings. The mixed onsen at night was memorable and women can enter without concern of exposing themselves by a small canal to the side. We went to the older mixed onsen at about 8 pm after dinner and had the entire place to ourselves (3 of us) until 3 others came along, but they were at the far end. This is a family, primarily older, oriented onsen and very comfortable if you are new to onsens. The outdoor setting is very pretty and rustic. Everyone we met was especially warm and welcoming. The food was quite good and the area has nice hiking. The onsen is 24 hours a day, allowing for everyone. You absolutely must arrange to have your meals here as there is nothing nearby.
Written September 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingNyuto Onsenkyo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Nyuto Onsenkyo
- Hotels near Nyuto Onsenkyo:
- (0.28 mi) Nyuto Onsenkyo Taenoyu
- (0.27 mi) Kyukamura Nyuto-Onsenkyo
- (0.29 mi) Ookama Onsen
- (0.79 mi) Tsurunoyu Onsen
- (0.45 mi) Ganiba Onsen
- Restaurants near Nyuto Onsenkyo:
- (0.06 mi) Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo Restaurant
- (1.37 mi) Bekkan Yama No Yado
- (2.20 mi) Jingisukan Dining
- (2.17 mi) Cafe Buna No Mori Fuu
- (2.46 mi) Komakusa
- Attractions near Nyuto Onsenkyo:
- (0.02 mi) National Park Resort Village Nyuto Hot Spring
- (0.45 mi) Ganiba Onsen
- (0.79 mi) Tsuru no Yu Onsen
- (0.66 mi) Kuroyu Onsen
- (2.12 mi) Tazawako Kogen Onsenkyo
Nyuto Onsenkyo Information
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Very Good Reviews | 44 |
Nyuto Onsenkyo Photos | 191 |