Hidden in the snow: A century-old secret hot spring｜Nyuto Onsen Tsurunoyu

Finally, I visited Tsurunoyu, a place that had been on my bucket list for ages. It’s truly tucked away deep in the mountains of Akita. After taking a bus, transferring, and walking a bit further, I finally arrived. The air, the scenery, and even the flow of time here feel completely different from the city.

The hot spring here is a natural milky-white bath. The moment you immerse yourself, it feels as if the tranquility of the mountains envelops you, and all your worries slowly dissolve into the steam. The coolness of the mountain in July makes soaking in the hot spring perfectly comfortable—not stifling at all. It’s so enjoyable that you’ll want to soak over and over again. The rooms are traditional Japanese tatami-style, with views of the forest outside. At night, the lantern-lit pathways look like scenes straight out of a movie.

This isn’t one of those flashy or Instagram-worthy hot springs; it’s a place where you can truly slow down and experience the charm of "old Japan." If you’re feeling a bit tired and want to hide away for a while, I highly recommend staying here for a night. Doing nothing at all here feels just right.

Post by Jane_Travel | Jul 31, 2025