Explore the breathtaking volcanic beauty of Aomori’s Hakkoda Mountains with a visit to Jigokunuma Pond, Suirennuma Pond, and the mystical Tsuta Nananuma (Seven Ponds of Tsuta). This trio of aquatic wonders showcases the diverse landscapes of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, from the steaming, sulfur-rich “Hell Pond” of Jigokunuma near Sukayu Onsen to the high-altitude marshlands and alpine views of Suirennuma. Further into the ancient beech forests, the Tsuta Nananuma offer a tranquil hiking escape famous for the fiery “Red Glow” reflections of Tsutanuma. Whether you are a landscape photographer chasing the perfect autumn reflection or a nature lover seeking the healing power of Aomori’s wild scenery, these ponds represent the ultimate scenic road trip through Northern Japan.
While we titled the article as Aomori’s best three hidden ponds (or swamps if you like), there are in fact nine scenic ponds scattered between Sukayu Onsen (famous for its mixed-gender hot spring pool) and Tsuta Onsen Ryokan. Among the nine, seven of them are even linked by a promenade!
Aomori’s Most Scenic Ponds: A Guide to Jigokunuma, Suirennuma & Tsuta Nananuma
- Jigoku-Numa Pond (地獄沼)
- Suiren-Numa Pond (睡蓮沼)
- Tsuta Nananuma Ponds (蔦七沼), which is a collective term for the seven ponds close to each other around and including the Tsutanuma Pond
Refer to our article, “How to Get to the Picturesque Oirase Gorge,” for access information to these beautiful ponds.
Explore Oirase Gorge With a Guided Tour
If you prefer a guide to introduce you to the charms of Oirase Gorge, how about joining one of the following tours?
- Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
- Oirase Gorge & Aomori Fall Foliage Highlights Tour with Lunch
Jigoku-Numa Pond (地獄沼)
Despite its scary name, the scenery at Jigoku-Numa Pond is like heaven, not ‘hell’ (´▽｀*). The name comes from the sulfur-rich gas and onsen squirting out of the explosion crater and the nearby fumaroles. Due to volcanic activity, the water temperature in Jigoku-Numa can reach 90 degrees. So the pond’s surface is usually covered by fog, creating a mysterious atmosphere!
Important: Please don’t go beyond any signboards that say “危険なのでこれ以降立ち入り禁止”. Those signboards are there for a very good reason. If you don’t want your Japan trip to start or end with you being in the hospital or, worse, death, please adhere to the signboards at all costs.
Other Seasons at Jigoku-Numa
As long as you don’t mind the strong sulfur smell, the view of Mt. Hakkoda from Jigoku-Numa Pond is just breathtaking. If you are a morning person, capturing the sunrise at the pond can be another great scenic photo collection!
While many people choose to visit Jigoku-Numa in mid-October for the autumn foliage, we believe the pond surrounded by white snow would be a worthwhile visit as well.
Unlike all the other ponds in the area, this one will never freeze!
How to Get to Jigokunuma
Following the staircases next to the public toilet in Sukayu Onsen’s car park in the photo (the wooden building on the right), Jigoku-Numa is just a 10-minute walk from Sukayu Onsen!
Suiren-Numa Pond (睡蓮沼)
This gorgeous pond is called Suiren-numa for the water lilies that grow on one side of the pond, albeit the flowers only bloom for a very short period in early August. Nevertheless, why not visit the Suiren-numa Pond for this rare scenery? That way, you can avoid the heat in other parts of Japan at the same time (^_-)-☆.
If you can’t make time to travel to Aomori in August, don’t worry, the scenery at Suiren-numa still looks great regardless of what month you visit!
By the time it hits early June, the snow will have melted, and the skunk cabbage will blossom through late June. It is like a relay run, where the mountain azalea’s pink flowers color the lakeshore straight after!
The autumn foliage season at Suiren-numa Lake starts in early October. Depending on the weather, you might be able to get a photo of the Suiren-numa covered in bright autumn color, with the Hakkoda Mountains Range in white snow as a backdrop!
Tip: As the season moves from the warm summer to autumn, it can be quite chilly at Suiren-numa Lake. So you might find that a cardigan or jacket may come in handy when you visit the pond for its beautiful autumn foliage (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
How to Get to Suiren-Numa Pond
Between mid-April and mid-November, you can take the JR Bus Mizuumi-Gō (みずうみ号) and get off at Suiren-Numa Pond (睡蓮沼).
- From Aomori:
To get to Sukayu Onsen, please take JR Bus Mizuumi from either JR Aomori Station’s (青森駅) bus stop no.11 or the bus stop no.1 located at JR Shin-Aomori’s (新青森駅) east exit. - From Lake Towada:
To get to Sukayu Onsen, please take JR Bus Mizuumi from JR Tohoku Bus Nenokuchi Station (ジェイアールバス東北 子ノ口駅)
If you are planning to visit Suiren-Numa Pond from late November to early April, driving is probably the best option. While it isn’t impossible to walk from Sukayu Onsen, it will take you at least a few hours to get there…
Tsuta-Numa Pond (蔦沼) and the Tsuta-Nana-Numa Ponds (蔦七沼)
South of Suiren-Numa Pond, the Tsuta Nananuma Ponds are the most famous spots in the area. Not only are these ponds stunning, but there is also a hiking trail linking them for a relaxing hike. In addition, a ryokan with thousands of years of history is nearby, allowing you to enjoy the astonishing autumn sunrise scenery!
For more information, refer to our Guide to Tsuta-Numa and the Tsuta-Nana-Numa Ponds.
Discover Other Attractions Around the Area
Embark on an unforgettable journey along the Hakkoda-Towada Gold Line, a premier scenic route connecting the majestic Hakkoda Ropeway to the emerald waters of Lake Towada. Starting with the towering Hakkoda Snow Corridor and the healing waters of legendary “secret” hot springs like Sukayu Onsen, before descending into the breathtaking Oirase Gorge. This route is the ultimate way to discover the raw natural beauty of Northern Japan.
For more information, please refer to our article on Hakkōda Mountains!
