If you like hot springs, instead of the Hahcimantai Aspite Line, take the Hachimantai Jukai Line (八幡平樹海ライン) to the summit of Mt. Hachimantai. As the name of the highway suggests, this highway passes through Hachimantai’s virgin forest. Along the road, you are accompanied by the magnificent view of Mt. Iwate. The scenery along this drive is particularly stunning during the season of fresh green and autumn foliage.
The Attractions Along the Hachimantai Jukai Line
Important: The road is closed from early November to late April.
Tōshichi Hot Springs Saiunso (藤七温泉 彩雲荘)
Driving from the Hachimantain Mountaintop Rest House towards Iwate prefecture via the Hachimaintai Jukai Line (八幡平樹海ライン), you will pass through the highest onsen ryokan – Toshichi Onsen Saiunso.
At an altitude of 1,400 meters, the best thing about this onsen is its open-air bath with a 360-degree panoramic view (though the pools look quite shabby).
Among these outdoor onsen pools, there is one gender-separated pool for each gender. The rest are all mix-gendered. There are also gender-separated indoor pools for those uncomfortable bathing outdoors (but no private pools).
The ryokan sells bath towels for onsen bathing for 1,000 yen (excluding tax).
Similar to Goshogake Hot Spring Hotel, there is a mud pool (*´ω｀).
One incentive for staying overnight at the Ryokan is the potential to catch a glimpse of the fabulous sunrise or the sea of clouds. These views can be experienced whilst indulging in their open-air onsen pools.
- The cost of utiilzing the onsen pools for day visitors is
- 650 yen for adults
- 350 yen for elementary school students and younger
- 1,250 yen for onsen + access to the resting hall
- The onsen pools are accessible for day-visitor from 8 am to 4 pm.
Tip: Remember to let the ryokan know about your special dietary requirements if you have one upon booking your stay. Although dinners and breakfasts are usually buffet styles, when there aren’t many guests, set meals will be provided instead (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Important: The ryokan is closed in winter from the end of October to late April.
For more information, you can refer to their official English website HERE.
How to Get to Tōshichi Hot Springs Saiunso
- The ryokan provides free pick-up and drop-off from Hachimantai Chōjō (八幡平頂上) bus stop at Hachimantai Mountaintop Rest House. If you want to utilize this service, please let the ryokan know at the time of booking.
- Otherwise, it is a 25-minute walk from the Hachimantai Mountaintop Rest House.
- If you need to contact the ryokan for any matters, call them at +81 090-1495-0950.
- The Ryokan provides overnight guests with a free pick-up and drop-off service to Matsukawa Onsen.
- The pick-up time at Matsukawa Onsen bus stop is 3:32 pm. You will reach the Ryokan at around 4 pm.
- The drop-off time from the Ryokan is at 9:10 am. You will reach Matsukawa Onsen at around 9:45 am.
- You can also catch regular bus services operated by Northern Iwate Transportation Inc to get to the ryokan. For more information, please refer to the Access Information to Hachimantai in our Hachimantai article.
Important: The free shuttle bus and pick-up services are only for guests who stay overnight at the ryokan.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions at Hachimantai.
Yakehashiri Lava Flow (焼走り熔岩流)
On the northeast side of Mt. Iwate, there is a patch of barren landscape. Around 300 years ago, when Mt. Iwate erupted, the lava was blown as far as four kilometers, creating this ashen, rocky landscape. A few weeds are growing out among the rocks. However, the standout is the pine tree in the photo (which you will see when you get there). It is a miracle for it to have grown so well in this arid landscape!
Parking your car at the trailhead and following the unique promenade, you will be at the Yashibashiri Observatory (焼走り展望台), which will give you a great view of the beautiful Mt. Iwate covered with greenery that contrasts with the ashen Yakehashiri Lava flow!
Very close to the car park is the Iwate Yakehashiri International Exchange Village (岩手山焼走り国際交流村). You can book to stay overnight here in a cabin or camp at their campsites (you will need to bring your tent).
HERE is the link to their website. You can translate it to English using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar. If you need assistance with booking, you can contact us HERE, and we will get back to you.
- If you are an onsen fan, their hot spring facility is available from
- 9:30 am to 8:30 pm on weekdays
- The last admission is at 8 pm
- 9:30 to 9 pm on weekdays and public holidays
- The last admission is at 8:30 pm
- 9:30 am to 8:30 pm on weekdays
- The cost is:
- 600 yen for adults
- 300 yen for children
- 200 yen for a face towel
- 120 yen to rent a bath towel
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions at Hachimantai.
Matsukawa Onsen (松川温泉)
Matsukawasō (松川荘) and Kyuonsō (峡雲荘) are the three onsen ryokan of the Matsukawa Onsen Resort.
Locating at the back of the Matsukawa Gorge, the Ryokans at Matsukawa Onsen are all surrounded by beautiful nature!
You can utilize their onsen facilities during the day even if you aren’t staying overnight. But do note that none of them has private onsen pools.
Also, just like many of the onsen ryokans in northeastern Japan, at least one of their open-aired pools is mixed-gendered (female guests enjoy having an outdoor onsen pool to themselves).
Tip: For those who don’t eat fish or meat and want to stay overnight at Matsukawa Onsen Resort, Shōfūsō should be able to cater to your dietary requirements. Please let them know at the time of booking to confirm!
Day Trip Onsen Pricing and Opening Hours at Matsukawa Onsen
- Matsukawasō:
- 700 yen for adults
- 300 yen for elementary school students and younger
- Opening hours for day trip customers are 8 am to 6 pm.
- The last admission is at 5 pm.
- If you plan to have lunch at the Ryokan, the restaurant’s opening hours are from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm (last order).
- Kyounsō:
- 700 yen for adults
- 350 yen for children from the age of 5 to elementary school students
- Opening hours for day trip customers: 8:30 am to 7 pm
- The last admission is at 6 pm.
- If you plan to have lunch at the ryokan, please let the ryokan know by 11:30 am and head to the resting hall at around 12 pm.
Tip: If you have valuable items with you, you can leave them at the front desk.
Discover the Attractions in Other Parts of Hachimantai
Now you know the best route to get to the summit, it is time to discover the sightseeing spots at the top of the mountain. You will find one of the most fascinating natural wonders at Hachimantai is the scenery called Dragon Eye (ドラゴンアイ) if you visit the national park from late May to early June each year (*’▽’).
Refer to our Hachimantai article for more details!
Combine Your Visit to Hachimantai with Appi Kogen Nearby
The Appi Kogen (安比高原) is an idyllic plateau located in the western part of the Iwate prefecture. It is great for a relaxing walk from spring to autumn. When the region is transformed into a winter wonderland, many come to Appi Kogen to ski or snowboard on its high-quality snow (Appi Ski Resort is said to be comparable to the resorts in Hokkaido!)!
If you enjoy spending time in nature and love outdoor activities, Appi Kogen is definitely the spot in the Iwate prefecture that you won’t want to miss out on (^_-)-☆.
To know more about where to go at Hachimantai, please refer to our Appi Kōgen article!
