The Fall Foliage Has Finally Arrived in Nyuto Hot Spring Area!

In the most recent updates on fall foliage in Tazawako Area, Nyuto Onsen Hot Spring Area is finally reported to have reached its peak!

Nyuto Area is covered with many different kinds of trees: the best known are beech trees, which shows the brightest shades of oranges in this season. The picture of the spectacular view of Kuroyu Onsen embedded in the bright orange and yellow mountains (see below) is probably one of the most published to represent Nyuto Hot Spring Area.



Kuroyu Onsen （黒湯温泉）



Here are some photos of Nyuto Area from last week when it was at the earlier stage of foliage. The foliage has gotten preceded even further by now; Now the leaves are in much more vibrant colors!

"Nyuto Onsen Map"











In the average year, the foliage is expected to arrive from October 11 and 22. The temperature is already so low today that it feels as if it would start to snow any day - not until mid-November. 

Just imagine yourself being soaked in the hot steamy hot spring bath out in the nature! That’s the experience you could have in Nyuto this week!

A Cup of Tohoku Sake Provided for Free at Nyuto Inns to Support the Faster Recovery

There are lots of ways to support the Tohoku recovery! Donating goods and money would be one way (thank you!) but also the easier and more sustainable way to support is promoting the Tohoku products!

Our local hotels are also trying to support by promoting the Tohoku brands !

The Union of 7 hot spring inns in Nyuto Onsen-kyo Village has started a new campaign from April 29th, in which the inns provide each guest with a FREE cup of Sake from the disaster zones like Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures.

The inns are making efforts to introduce the Sake brands to promote the consumption, hoping to contribute to the faster recovery!

All the Sake bottle were purchased when the Union members visited Rikuzen-Takata City and Kesennuma City to deliver the relief supplies and to cook foods for evacuees at shelters.  (Related article)

A Free Cup of Tohoku Sake for Each Guest at Nyuto Inns. (Photo at Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo)

Each hotel serve the Sake Cup in different way -- a bottle might be placed on the table of buffet corner (photo) or it might be brought to you after your meal – but the guests have been finding it as a good opportunity.

Mr. Ninomiya, president of the Nyuto Onsen-kyo Union, commented, “We would like to continue buying the (safe) seafoods and produces from the earthquake areas and provide to the guests. This is the least we could do, but we hope this can contribute (to the recovery).”

Our Tohoku communities will stay connected! This is only one example of how our Tohoku communities have been helping one another!

Sakura Viewing Spots in Semboku City (2011 Update)

In Semboku City, cherry blossoms will be seen earliest in Kakunodate Town. Then the sakura-zensen (“cherry blossoms front”) slowly moves up through Tazawako area according to the higher elevation and temperature: Lake Tazawa, Tazawako Kogen (plateau), then it finally reaches to Nyuto Onsen area in mid-May.

Kakunodate Town, for example, has been known as one of the most beautiful viewing spots of Japan. This small town, whose population is only about 14,000, is flooded with approximately 1,000,000 tourists only during the sakura weeks from late April to the first week of May.

The visitors look forward to visit two quintessential viewing spots of Kakunodate: Sakura tunnels on the bank of the Hinokinai River and the historical landscape scattered with centuries-old cherry blossoms trees.

Sakura Tunnel along the Hinokinai River

Night Viewing of Sakura amongst the Samurai Houses

The "sakura front" passes through the vast rice paddies of Jindai and Obonai area; then, it reaches to the lake and plateau. Although the viewing spots in Tazawako Area seems rather humble compare to the touristic Kakundoate area, there are many hidden viewing spots where you will most likely enjoy the fresh breeze and quietness in the air!

More info on the approximate viewing dates

are HERE.

より大きな地図で Cherry Blossom Viewpoint in Semboku City を表示

Also, JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) has some more helpful information in regard to the Bloom of Cherry Blossoms across the nation. You can see a map and updated approximate blooming dates in the major cities.

Yumeguri-cho Bus Schedule 2010

If you are staying at one of the seven hot spring inns in Nyuto Area, Yumeguri-go bus is a very convenient bus service that you couldn't miss. The bus ticket book (Yumeguri-cho; 湯めぐり帳) is only 1,500 yen and it also includes the daytrip onsen (higaeri nyuyoku) fees to all of Nyuto Onsen area inns. Read more in English

The ticket is valid 1 year after purchase. You can always come back to Nyuto and use the service anytime you want. Remember there are 7 different kinds of hotsprings in Nyuto, it is not easy to experience all of the locations! Explore all of them and make sure to have it stamped!

The seats are limited -- the "bus" is actually a van ;) -- so that you are required to make a reservation 1 hour prior to your desired time. But do not sweat: you only have to tell the front desk at the inns.

Yumeguri-go Bus Schedule:



Yumeguri-go bus service is operated by Nyuto Onsen-kyo Union.



A Day Trip to Taenoyu Onsen

Onsen-kyo (温泉郷）literally means “Onsen Village,” which typically has only one onsen headspring with hotels and lodges built around it, which makes the area relatively small while sharing the same property of water.

Nyuto Onsen （妙乃湯）is unique in that it has 15 headsprings, which allows each inn to occupy at least one or two springs of different quality. That means there is NO Nyuto Onsen in Nyuto Onsen-kyo; instead, there are 7 hot spring inns scattered in the vast area.

Taenoyu Onsen, one of the Nyuto inns,  is known for its sophisticated modern Japanese atmosphere. It is without a doubt one of the most popular hotspring inns in Japan.  Taenoyu Onsen owns two headsprings on its own-- Kin-no-yu （金の湯）and Gin-noyu （銀の湯）, Golden Water and Silver Water.

Taenoyu Onsen

 

The Sendatsu River

The entrance

Upon entering, please remove your shoes.

A beautiful seasonal display.

The front desk. Pay here.

For guests on daytrips: 700 yen to enter. S small towel (300 yen) and a bathtowel (500 yen).

Welcome. An antique phone greets you.

Overnight guests are able to purchase Yumeguri-cho, a book of tickets that allows you to enter 7 different hotsprings in Nyuto area. The book includes fares of multiple rides on Yumeguri-go, the circulating shuttle bus that connects Nyuto inns. It is available for the overnight guests only!!

If you would like to hop around and explore different types of waters in Nyuto, this bus is the most convenient! The book is valid for one year. Considering that entry fees to all the 7 onsens in Nyuto would cost you at least 3,700 yen, this 1,500 ticket book with the bus fares is incredibly reasonable. Don’t forget to ask for it at your hotel.

Since we had a Yumeguri-cho book, which allowed us to enter with no additional charge! After we had it stamped, we were friendly guided to the changing rooms.

Available only at the Nyuto inns.

Yumeguri-cho

Have it stampted!

Every little details of the display is beautiful.

The baths are beyond the curtain.

Red is for woman. Blue is for man. The baths are swapped daily.

A certificate of component analysis made in 1956.

The safety box is located in front of the red and blue curtains.

More certificates to show how authentic and aesthetic this place is.

The changing room.

If you are not familiar with Japaneses customs, this poster might help you know the etiquette in the public bathing area.

Make sure you know it as a courtesy to the others!

Kin-no-yu is named after the reddish brown color—rich in calcium, magnesium, and sulfuric acid—and said to be effective for skin disease and arteriosclerosis.

Kin-no-yu, Golden Water is in this shallow neyu (reclining tub).

 Gin-no-yu is, on the other hand, is clear with no color and categorized as a simple hot spring. It is said to be affective for rheumatism, anemia, and many women’s diseases.

A hotbath called "Taenoyu"

Myoken-no-yu is an outdoor mixed bathing bath. Women can enter with a bathtowel.

As long as the time allows, you can take a long relaxing moment here. You will never get bored with their variety of hot baths (7 in total), especially the outdoor bath with a river flowing alongside. Get soaked up and enjoy as much as you want but make sure you are not boiled up. ;) To ease your thirst, have a drink from the tap-- the spring water is so fresh and mild that it sooths you well.

Located on the hallway. You acn purchase a bottle at the front desk.

You can rest here. Ask them for a cup of tea, if you like.

The resting area is available for daytrippers until 14:30 p.m.

Little drawers full of good souvenirs! Pay at the front.

Okami in a beautiful paiting.

On the hallway a few paintings and photos are displayed. We found a water-color painting from which a illustration of Okami Sembei was taken from. A beautiful painting!

All the onsen inns in Nyuto welcome visitors on an onsen daytrip (higaeri nyuyoku). Remember it is available until a certain time of the day. You are recommended to check the hours and bus schedule and plan ahead!

TO ACCESS:
If you are coming from JR Tazawako Station, take a bus on the Nyuto Line (Nyuto-Sen;乳頭線） and get off at Taenoyu bus-stop.

The inn is located on a corner. Drive carefully.

The bus stop of Ugo-kotsu bus company, Tatsuko-go, and Yumeguri-go.

Yumeguri-go stop.

Yumeguri-go shuttle bus (more like a van, though.)

The parking lot is located 50m up after the Taenoyu building.

TAENOYU ONSEN （妙乃湯）

OPEN HOURS FOR DAY TRIPPERS: 10:00 a.m. -15:00 p.m.

TEL: 0187-46-2740

All-You-Can-Eat and Onsen in Nyuto

Finding the right kind of meal could be difficult in Japan, especially when you have a special preference for philosophical or religious reasons. Or, maybe you find the Japanese portion too light or small for you.

Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen-kyo solves everything, offering a buffet with various items for all-you-can-eat!

What makes Kyukamura buffet so special is that they offer items in various cooking styles --from regional cuisine to typical Japanese and western style-- while using locally-grown, freshest ingredients!

Kyukamura offers special deals for an overnight accomodation, starting from 10,700 yen, including two meals both at the buffet. They also offer a special deal for day-trippers: an all-you-can-eat dinner with a dip in Onsen for only 2,000yen.  

Considering the bathing for day-trippers ("higaeri nyuyoku") is 500 yen and until 5p.m., a buffet and onsen for this price is very reasonable! If you are interested, please let the hotel know before you arrive. The buffet is available between 17:15-20:30 p.m. and allows you enter until 19:30 p.m.  

Kyukamura stands inside beautiful beech forest as a part of Towada Hachimantai Quasi-National Park.You would definitely enjoy walking around the hotel.

Calorie per serving is written. They have Chinese, Japanese, and Western Style dishes.

Scallop and Chinese Cabbage Chop Suey

Crabs! Digg in!

Ayu, Sweetfish, broiled here.

This day's Tempura is hatahata (Sandfish) and maitake, leafy mushroom known for its aroma.

Tempura of Maitake

Fresh vegie sticks with Miso. Simple but delicious!

Kiritanpo Nabe (Pot of Kiritanpo):

Akita's #1 specialty-- local rice steamed, kneaded, broiled, then cooked in broth of local broiler.

A bowl of Kiritanpo Soup

Another specialty of Akita: Inaniwa Udon, one of the 3 major udon of Japan.

The noodles is skinnier but has an elastic texture.

Tuna rolls.

Various kinds of pickled vegies:

 Iburi-gakko (smoked and picked radish) and Budo-zuke (radish picked with grape)

Michi (sweet rice paste) with various flavour

Selection of Akita's Sake brands. Available at the shop.