Akinomiya Onsenkyo: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices

At the foot of Mount Kurikoma, with inns scattered along the Yakunai River, Akinomiya Onsenkyo is a historic spa said to be among the oldest hot springs in Akita. Legend holds that the Takanoyu source was discovered by the monk Gyoki about 1,200 years ago. Far from the bustle, time flows gently as you soak to the murmur of the river.

Highlights

Many sources bubble up along the Yakunai River, so abundant that it is said hot water appears if you dig into the riverbed. The area is credited with some forty sources, and hot water is even piped into local homes. Inns such as Takanoyu, Inazumi, and Yunotai each have their own distinctive open-air baths, and bathing while gazing at the mountain stream is exceptional. Nearby Yuzawa is the birthplace of Inaniwa udon, so you can also enjoy the famous smooth, slender noodles.

Enjoying the Seasons

Early summer glows with fresh greenery and clear water, autumn blazes with foliage, and winter welcomes travelers with quiet snow-viewing baths.

Access and Basic Information

About 25 minutes by car from JR Yokobori Station on the Ou Main Line via Route 108. The old local bus route was discontinued in 2011, so today the reservation-based shared taxi Komachi Shuttle, linking Yokobori and Yuzawa stations, is convenient. It is also well connected via the Yuzawa Interchange on the Yuzawa-Yokote Road and serves as a base for touring Mount Kurikoma. The waters are mainly simple and chloride springs, and many inns offer day bathing, though hours and fees vary by inn, so check ahead.

Practical Travel Notes

For quiet spring-hopping, aim for early summer greenery or mid-October foliage. Because the inns are spread along the river, a car or the reservation-based shared taxi makes getting around easier. Day bathing is often accepted until early afternoon, with fees in the low hundreds of yen. Worth pairing are Doroyu Onsen and the Kawarage Jigoku field, about 20 to 30 minutes by car, and the udon town of Yuzawa. Budget roughly 2,000 yen for a day trip with a bath and lunch, or from the low tens of thousands of yen for one night with two meals.

A Quick Tip

Nights grow cold in the mountains, so bring warm clothing and settle in for an unhurried stay paired with Inaniwa udon. As the shared taxi runs by reservation only, arrange your arrival-day transport early for peace of mind.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Spring quality (Akinomiya Sanso): Sodium chloride spring. The source temperature is 98 degrees and the flow rate 350 liters per minute; the water is colorless, transparent and odorless
• Indications (Akinomiya Sanso): Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, joint stiffness, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, and recovery from fatigue
• Spring quality (Takanoyu Onsen): Chloride spring. The indications specific to this spring quality are cuts, peripheral circulatory disorders, sensitivity to cold, depressive states and dry skin
• How the water is used: Akinomiya Sanso uses a circulating filtration system
• Day-use bathing at Akinomiya Sanso: 10:30-20:00. The rest room is available 10:30-15:00 free of charge. Bathing hours change depending on reservations, so check the business calendar on the official website
• Fees at Akinomiya Sanso: Following the revision on April 1, 2026, 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for elementary school students (both including bathing tax)
• Towels at Akinomiya Sanso: Bath towels can be rented for 300 yen, and face towels are sold for 300 yen
• Payment at Akinomiya Sanso: Due to a fault with the card payment terminal, credit cards cannot currently be used and payment is by cash only
• Baths at Akinomiya Sanso: Open-air bath, lying-down bath, jacuzzi bath, large bath, sauna and cold-water bath
• Address and phone of Akinomiya Sanso: 1-1 Tonokami, Akinomiya, Yuzawa City / 0183-56-2400
• Day-use bathing at Takanoyu Onsen: Saturdays and Sundays only, 10:30-14:30 (last admission 13:30). Closed every Wednesday, plus irregular closures
• Fees at Takanoyu Onsen: Following the revision on April 25, 2026, 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for elementary school students (before the revision, 700 yen for adults and 400 yen for elementary school students)
• Closure at Takanoyu Onsen: Closed in winter. In 2026 it resumes overnight stays from March 26 and day-use bathing from April 4
• Address and phone of Takanoyu Onsen: 1 Tonokami, Akinomiya, Yuzawa City / 0183-56-2141 (phone reception until 20:00)
• Access (by train): By car from Yokobori Station on the JR Ou Main Line. The Akinomiya route of the reservation-only shared taxi "Komachi Shuttle" is also available
• Road information (1): The Akinomiya-Oyasu Onsen route is fully closed from May 10 to November 30. You cannot pass through to Akinomiya Onsen village from the direction of Doroyu Onsen, and must instead take National Route 108 via Sukawa IC and Ogachi-Komachi IC
• Road information (2): National Route 108 near Arao Kohan Park has been fully closed since August 2, 2026 due to a landslide and fallen trees caused by heavy rain. From the Miyagi side, a detour via Shinjo is being advised
• How long to allow: 1 hour if you only bathe, or about 2 hours if you include taking in the mountain stream views and resting in the rest room
• Worth visiting as well: The town of Yuzawa, home of authentic Inaniwa udon, and the Oyasukyo Daifunto geyser

Information Sources

Its standing as the oldest hot spring resort in Akita Prefecture, the story of how it was loved by literary figures such as Saneatsu Mushanokoji, and the list of inns in the hot spring village were confirmed on the Akinomiya Onsen village page of the Yuzawa City website. The fact that there are more than 40 hot spring sources, the spring quality, source temperature of 98 degrees, flow rate of 350 liters per minute and health benefits, the use of a circulating filtration system, the hours, fees and towel charges for day-use bathing, and the fact that credit cards cannot be used come from the official website of Spa & Resort Hotel Akinomiya Sanso (its natural hot spring / day-use hot spring pages and its notices of April 2 and August 5, 2026). Takanoyu Onsen's 139 years in business, the tradition that it was discovered in the Nara period, the days, hours and fees for day-use bathing, the winter closure and the closure of the Akinomiya-Oyasu Onsen route were confirmed on the top page of the Takanoyu Onsen official website and in its notices of March 30, April 13 and April 19, 2026. The spring quality and quality-specific indications of Takanoyu Onsen are taken from the hot spring resort database of the Japan Spa Association. Opening hours, fees, closing days and road restrictions are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.