Secret Hot Springs: Nyuto Onsen Village

During the Golden Week of 2022, I boarded the Akita Shinkansen Komachi with my family,





and my journey began while drinking kaki-meshi (oyster rice) from Akkeshi, which has nothing to do with Akita.





We arrived at Tazawako Station in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture.

The destination this time is the legendary secret hot spring overlooking Lake Tazawa, which has the deepest water in Japan at 400m.

Speaking of Lake Tazawa, do you know about the Tatsuko Statue?

It is known as one of the three disappointing spots in Akita or that couples break up when they see it, and to top it all off, it is said that it wanders around alone at night—quite a reputation for Princess Tatsuko.

Here is the Tatsuko Statue, standing gracefully by the shores of Lake Tazawa.





Oh! How wonderful!

Only those who understand this atmosphere can be considered true adults.





Near Lake Tazawa, there is a drive-in with a place to observe Akita dogs, and it was quite crowded.

Akita dogs are so cute. All of them were sound asleep.

From Lake Tazawa to the inn, we took the bus from our beloved Ugo Kotsu, which is also known for the model corner!

A feeling of remote wilderness on the bumpy mountain road led us to discover our accommodation today!!!

It is the Nyuto Onsen Village "Tsuru-no-Yu".





Whoa! This place is full of charm!





The fragrance of sulfur lifts my spirits.

The outdoor bath is a mixed bath!!

For details about the bath, please check the link to Tsuru-no-Yu above or see for yourself.





Steam rises from the hot spring towards the mountains. This scenery enhances the travel atmosphere.


The building also has a lovely charm. If I had come in winter, the snow would have looked even more beautiful.





The hearth and oil lamps give a sense of the extraordinary.

The children were also curiously looking at the hearth.





My phone lost signal, but the inn had Wi-Fi, so I had no trouble.





It's meal time! Salt-grilled yamame (trout) and tempura of wild vegetables!





And the yamanoimo pot. A local dish passed down in the Senboku region.

The yamanoimo pot is a specialty of Tsuru-no-Yu, packed with plenty of grated yam (a type of yam from the Dioscorea family, commonly known as Yamato yam).

When enjoyed with iwazake (sake made with the bones of mountain trout), it is exquisitely delicious.





This is the specialty Iwazake!!





The taste is similar to hirezake and has a rich flavor, almost like a thick soup.

I wanted to check it again and again, saying “One more cup, one more cup.”

Oh no, this makes me drink too much.





“Yuki no Basho” is my favorite sake. Akita sake is definitely the best.




The night deepens.


The dimly lit thatched-roof room is comfortable, and the sound of the river can be heard.

The staff was kind, and when I told them that I didn’t need breakfast the next morning due to the Shinkansen schedule, they gave me some rice balls to take with me.

I want to see the snow scenery next time.

I vowed to return in winter.