9 spots โ sorted by traveller rating
One of Japan's most celebrated onsen destinations โ seven rustic ryokan lodges scattered through the snowy beech forests of the Nyuto mountains, each drawing from different spring sources with distinct mineral compositions and colours. The famous milky-white sulphurous spring at Tsuru-no-yu ryokan, operating since 1638, is among the most atmospheric outdoor baths in Japan.
A vast UNESCO World Natural Heritage primeval beech forest straddling Akita and Aomori prefectures โ the last great untouched virgin beech forest in East Asia. The Aoike (Blue Pond) within Shirakami glows a supernatural turquoise fed by mineral springs. Strictly limited visitor access preserves its extraordinary integrity.
Nestled deep in the mountains near Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen is a cluster of seven rustic ryokan inns each tapping their own distinct spring โ some cloudy white with sulfur, others clear green or amber brown. The most celebrated is Tsurunoyu, a 350-year-old inn with open-air mixed-gender baths surrounded by beech forest, fed by springs at different temperatures. A 'yunใใใ' hot spring hopping pass lets visitors visit multiple baths in a single day.
The Anmon Waterfall trail in Shirakami Sanchi is the most accessible route into the UNESCO beech forest โ a 3 km hike through ancient woodland leads to three cascading falls, the largest dropping 26 m through moss-covered rocks. Spring brings wildflowers; autumn transforms the canopy into a riot of gold and crimson.
The Hachimantai plateau in northern Akita is a volcanic highland of crater lakes, alpine marshes, and steaming volcanic vents. The Aspite Line mountain road (open MayโNovember) traverses the plateau past the stunning Goshikinu five-colour marsh and Hachimantai summit โ one of Japan's great scenic drives.
Kakunodate's Bukeyashiki samurai quarter is one of Japan's best-preserved feudal districts, where six grand samurai residences open their gardens along a street lined with weeping cherry trees. In late April the blossoms hang over the historic earthen walls like a pink waterfall, and in autumn the maples turn brilliant scarlet. The district also houses kabazaiku cherry-bark craft workshops, a unique Kakunodate art form.
The mountains surrounding Lake Tazawa offer superb hiking โ Komagatake (1,637 m) rises directly from the lake's caldera rim with sweeping views over the cobalt water to the Ou Mountains beyond. The route from Tazawako Ski Area via the Hachigougo trail is the most popular, taking 3โ4 hours return.
Japan's deepest lake (423 m) glows a vivid cobalt blue year-round thanks to its extraordinary depth โ it never freezes in winter. The golden statue of Tatsuko, a legendary beauty said to have become the lake's goddess, stands on the western shore. The surrounding caldera provides panoramic views from hiking trails above the rim.
The Oga Peninsula is a globally significant geopark โ its dramatic sea cliffs expose 50-million-year-old volcanic strata, and the famous Godzilla Rock formation at Kanpuzaki is a favourite for sunset photography. The 60 km coastal drive passes sea caves, tidal pools, and fishing villages largely untouched by tourism.
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