Close to Tsuta-numa pond, there is a ryokan, Tsuta Onsen Ryokan (蔦温泉旅館). It is the best and only accommodation to stay in the area if you want to see the famous Tsuta-numa sunrise scenery. In addition, its onsen pool which is directly built above the source of the onsen. So unlike most of the onsen pools in Japan, you will see a lot of bubbles coming right from the bottom of the pool, which we think is quite exciting!
Tsuta Onsen’s Hot Spring Facility
Tsuta Onsen currently has two bathing areas. The Kyuan no Yu (久安の湯) is the area that you may want to watch out for because each gender for use is allocated to specific timeslots. Please check with the reception for the timeslots to avoid any potentially embarrassing moments…(´▽｀*).
Senkyo no Yu (泉響の湯) has a high ceiling. The vertical distance between the hot spring pool and the ceiling is 12 meters. So the the water sound echoes nicely here.
The ryokan also has a private bath you can rent. It costs 3,300 yen per hour. Please speak to the reception staff if you are interested upon arrival.
- If you are a day visitor, it will cost 800 yen to bathe at Tsuta Onsen (500 yen for elementary school students).
- A hand towel costs 250 yen to purchase
- A bath towel costs 500 yen to rent.
- You can bathe between 10 am to 3 pm.
- The last admission is at 2:30 pm.
What to Watch Out for Before Making a Booking
There are quite a few different types of rooms at Tsuta Onsen. Some are equipped with Western bedding, and some only have Japanese futon beds.
The other thing to note is that before you book, there are only 3 room types (with the luxurious ones containing a private bath). So if you don’t want to share your relaxing bathing time with strangers, you may consider reserving the luxurious ones (‘ω’)ノ.
HERE is the link to their official English website. Please also find below information that may be useful if you do decide to make a reservation (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
About Tsuta Onsen
- Tsuta Onsen is closed from late November to the end of March.
- There is free pick-up (at 3 pm) and drop-off (at 9:30 am) services to and from Shichinohe Towada Station (七戸十和田駅). The meeting point is at the Shichinohe Town Tourism Information Center (七戸町観光交流センター), located at the station’s south exit.
- If you want to be surrounded by fireflies, consider visiting Tsuta Onsen in July.
- Please don’t bring in food when you stay at Tsuta Onsen. Bringing your own drinks will be allowed, but this will incur extra charges.
Tip: If you are a vegetarian like us, don’t forget to inform them of your dietary requirements when you book (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Traveling South to Oirase Gorge
Your visit to Hakkōda shouldn’t just end around the northern part of the Hakkōda Mountains. Further down south is where Aomori Prefecture‘s most beautiful destination, Oirase Gorge, is located.
And before you reach there, there are a couple more breathtaking attractions that you might want to stop by.
For more information, please refer to our Hakkōda Ropeway to Yakeyama, the Prelude to Oirase Gorge article!
