Hijiori Onsen

Welling up in a deep mountain caldera in Okura village of Mogami district, Hijiori Onsen is a historic healing spa said to have opened about 1200 years ago. Down a steep slope the inns huddle together, keeping a strong old-fashioned mood of therapeutic bathing.

Highlights

The water has long been told to help wounds and broken bones, and in the public baths you can soak among the local regulars. Its famous morning market is said to have run for centuries, lined with vegetables and local goods.

Enjoying the Seasons

From spring through autumn the morning market bustles, with wild greens and mushrooms announcing the season. As a heavy-snow region, in winter it takes on a quiet healing-spa charm wrapped in deep snow.

Access and Basic Information

About one hour by bus from JR Shinjo Station. The water is a sodium-chloride and bicarbonate spring, notable for keeping you warm after the bath.

A Quick Tip

The morning market opens only in the early hours, so the real treat is to stay a night in the healing-spa spirit and peek in on a morning stroll.