Kawatabi Onsen

Sitting at the southernmost point of the Naruko hot spring village, Kawatabi is a quiet spa welling up amid broad rural scenery. Long known as a healing ground, its soft greenish water has a reputation for being gentle on the skin and has been loved by locals for generations.

Highlights

Carrying a faint scent of sulfur, the water warms the body slowly from within. Peaceful fields spread all around, and the charm lies in relaxing far from the bustle of the city. The Aikawa River flows nearby, and a stroll along its banks makes for a pleasant interlude.

Enjoying the Seasons

In early summer the paddies fill with water, their mirror-like surfaces reflecting the sky. Autumn brings golden rice ears rippling in the wind, and winter unfolds snowscapes wrapped in silence. Bathing while gazing at the changing face of the countryside is a special pleasure.

Access and Basic Information

Kawatabi Onsen Station on the JR Rikuu East Line is the nearest stop, though there is some distance from the station to the spa area. By car, follow the national route northwest from the Furukawa interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.

A Quick Tip

There are few flashy tourist facilities, so this place suits a stay spent soaking leisurely and savoring the quiet time of the countryside. Be sure to stop by the local farm produce stands nearby.