13 Best Onsen in Aomori | Best Hot Spring Around Aomori

Aomori is the northern most prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu. Filled with beautiful landscapes, Aomori has everything from volcanic mountain ranges, to oceans, and of course, onsen.

For those who want to experience ancient Japanese historic sites, museums, nature, and everything Aomori has to offer, you’re going to want to know where to stay and go.

In this article, we’ll introduce 13 of the best onsen in Aomori. There is a wide variety of onsen on this list, from historic onsen towns to luxury hotels with onsen. You can decide which onsen is best for you.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Google Maps

Onsen towns in Aomori

1. Asamushi Onsen
2. Dake Onsen
3. Owani Onsen

Ryokan and hotels with onsen in Aomori

4. Sukayu Onsen
5. Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen
6. Tsuta Onsen
7. Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land
8. Dormy Inn Hirosaki
9. Yadoya Tsubaki
10. Nambuya Kaisenkaku
11. HOTEL Jogakura
12. Aomori Machinaka Onsen
13. Ajigasawa Onsen Suigun no Yado

Conclusion

Google Maps

Here is a map of Aomori and all of the onsen that we included on this list. Keep this in mind when deciding where you want to go.

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Onsen towns in Aomori

Onsen towns are areas that are built around a popular onsen source. In onsen towns, you can find many different hotels and ryokan with onsen bath facilities and souvenir shops. These places usually are said to have a popular healing effect, like skin moisturization.

Here are 3 of our favorite onsen towns in Aomori.

Asamushi Onsen (浅虫温泉)

Asamushi Onsen is an onsen town known around Aomori for its proximity to Aomori city, and its beautiful beaches. Asamushi Onsen is very accessible as it takes only 30 minutes of traveling by train or car from Aomori Station. After arriving at Asamushi Onsen’s station, take the west exit to be engulfed with sands and stunning views of the bay, or take the east exit to a relaxed onsen town with over 20 different onsen ryokan. Right outside the station, there is a free onsen footbath to welcome tourists and guests.

The water at Asamushi onsen has no smell but is smooth to the touch and has moisturizing effects. Aomori is famous for its apple production, and we recommend a delicious apple pie slice as a treat on the way to your ryokan or hotel. With over 1,000 years of history as an onsen town, Asamushi is filled with Japanese culture. Often, guests can listen to traditional shamisen players near the station. Consider visiting Asamushi Onsen to experience it all.

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Dake Onsen (嶽温泉)

Dake onsen is a quiet onsen town located deep in the mountains of Aomori, about 80 minutes by car away from Aomori Station. At the foot of Mt. Iwaki, this lowkey town is surrounded by nature and fresh air and is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. You can really slow down and enjoy the sights here. In the winter, look out over fields of white snow. In the summer, enjoy fresh corn grown in the local area. In the spring, there are Japanese cherry blossoms blooming as far as the eye can see.

There are a total of 6 different Japanese-style ryokan and hotels running in this small onsen town. Spend a weekend enjoying refreshing and healing onsen water and a homely atmosphere. The onsen source at Dake onsen has lots of sulfur minerals, and the waters are said to make your skin moisturized while being effective on muscle pain and stiff joints. On clear nights, take walks outside and enjoy the stars far away from the lights of the city.

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Owani Onsen (大鰐温泉)

Owani Onsen is a classic Japanese onsen town located about 50 minutes by car and 1 hour by train. There are traditional Japanese ryokan and hotels throughout Owani along with onsen footbaths and mountain views. As soon as you exit the station, wash off the fatigue from the long journey in the free footbath. Make sure you bring your own towel to dry off afterward. The area has an 800+ year history, but there are plenty of modern places for visitors to stay. In late May, thousands of beautiful flowers will bloom at Chausuyama Park, something that you won’t want to miss.

The waters at Owani Onsen are slightly salty but odorless and colorless. It is said that the water is good for treating nerve pain and muscle pain along with arthritis. After getting out of the bath, it’s hard to cool down. Locals take many onsen baths in the winter as Owani is located in the mountains and gets cold enough for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Owani Onsen is known around Aomori for its famous Ramen made with bean sprouts grown from water high in minerals from the area. Check out Owani below.

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Ryokan and hotels with onsen in Aomori

Next up, this section is going to introduce our favorite onsen ryokan and hotels in Aomori. There are a ton of hotels in Aomori and many places to go, see, and experience, so choose which places will suit your trip to onsen in Aomori. Check the google map we made to best plan your trip.

Sukayu Onsen (酸ヶ湯温泉旅館)

Sukayu Onsen is a large Onsen ryokan located deep in the mountains of Aomori, about 40 minutes away from Aomori Station by car. There is a multitude of reasons to stay at Sukayu. Sukayu is very unique, from its deep culture and tradition to their large mixed onsen bathing areas. That’s right, you can bathe with the whole family at Sukayu in its expansive mixed-gender onsen bath that has water from 4 different onsen sources. They also have two smaller onsen that are separated by gender for those who want to bathe in the most comfortable environment. The mixed onsen bath is open 24 hours a day, but from 8 to 9 P.M. only women are allowed to enter.

The onsen sources used at Sukayu are located 900 meters above sea level and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that are said to be good at treating all kinds of ailments and diseases by promoting blood circulation, raising body temperature, and boosting natural body health. If you plan on driving to Sukayu in the winter, or anywhere in Aomori in the winter, make sure that you’ve got winter tires on your car. Check out Sukayu Onsen below.

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Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen (ランプの宿 青荷温泉)

Lamp no Yado Aoni is amazing. The location and atmosphere around the ryokan are like nothing else. Aoni was founded in 1929 and has a rich history. Explore the old halls and untouched nature waiting for you, then warm up with your friends and loved ones by the fireplace when night falls. Being so old, they actually don’t have power in any of the rooms. On top of that, the signal is very weak. We recommend taking a mobile battery and pocket Wi-Fi device to stay connected on your once-in-a-lifetime journey to Aoni Onsen.

Have a meal in true Japanese traveler style, in a large hall next to other travelers. Put on a provided yukata to feel the tradition. Being located so deep in the mountains, they don’t allow drivers to come to the ryokan in the winter, instead preparing a shuttle bus at the foot of the mountain to take guests on the last leg of the journey. They have 4 different types of onsen baths, including an outdoor mixed onsen bath. There are various rooms and cottage types throughout Aoni Onsen, so check out their website to reserve your room below.

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Tsuta Onsen (蔦温泉旅館)

Tsuta Onsen is a relaxed onsen ryokan surrounded by trees and nature. Located about an hour away by car from Aomori station, Tsuta Onsen is in the middle of Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Be careful and plan your travel ahead of time, as some of the roads may be closed in winter. They describe the time spent at Tsuta Onsen as “Forest time” because time flows differently when spending time here in the natural environment. Book a room with amazing views of the forest and a private onsen bath to get the most time with your loved ones.

Tsuta Onsen’s hot water source is called the “thousand-year secret hot spring”. Because it was an onsen that was tucked away in the forest far from the city. All of the baths at Tsuta Onsen are located directly above the onsen source. You can enjoy hot onsen water that comes from the bottom of the bathtub, fresh and not yet exposed to air. The main onsen bath used to be a mixed system, but has been renovated and changed so that men and women use the bath on a time swap system. Check Tsuta Onsen out below.

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Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land (南田温泉 ホテルアップルランド)

Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land is located in central Aomori, making it great for sightseeing popular apple orchards. Take the train from Aomori Station for about 45 minutes, then take the free shuttle bus from Hirosaki Station, making it super easy to access. You may be asking, why is it called Apple Land? Well, that’s because Aomori prefecture is famous across Japan for the delicious apples that they grow. There is an abundance of apples here and Hotel Apple Land’s most famous bath for their apple baths.

If you aren’t very comfortable bathing with strangers, don’t worry. You can reserve an hour in a private onsen bath. The rooms at Apple Land are floored with traditional tatami mats, so you can experience a traditional Japanese custom. If you don’t want to sleep on the floor, make sure to book a room with western-style beds in it too. For dinner, enjoy a specially prepared Japanese kaiseki course meal made with fresh local ingredients (and apples) from around Aomori. Check out Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land below.

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Dormy Inn Hirosaki (ドーミーイン弘前)

Dormy Inn Hirosaki is another great choice for those who want to explore Aomori, being located about 45 minutes by train from Aomori Station. It’s a classic western style hotel with Japanese elements, including large onsen bathing facilities with natural onsen water. The public onsen baths are on the top floor, so you can enjoy great views of the city and distant mountain landscapes. Head out to the outdoor open onsen and get some fresh Aomori air while looking up at the stars on the roof while in a warm onsen bath.

The guest rooms are pretty basic and all come with western-style beds, so no matter what room you book, you won’t have to worry about sleeping on a futon on the floor. Enjoy delicious and local Aomori flavors and dishes from the restaurant on the second floor. They serve a local favorite, Yonaki Soba, at their restaurant for guests for free. If you’re looking for a budget place to stay and relax while exploring Aomori, Dormy Inn Hirosaki might be a great choice for you. Check them out below.

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Yadoya Tsubaki (宿屋つばき)

Yadoya Tsubaki is a laidback traditional onsen ryokan located in Asamushi Onsen town. They are located only a 3-minute walk away from Asamushi-Onsen station. They provide simple and beautiful rooms along with delicious curry meals in their restaurant. They describe their inn as rustic and traditional, located by the sea and without any luxury. They simply provide a space where guests can relax and get a break from the grind of their daily life. Yadoya has a great location for those who are looking to explore Asamushi Onsen and take relaxing walks on the beach.

The onsen water at Yadoya Tsubaki is from the Asamushi Onsen source and is natural and free-flowing. The waters are said to have a beautifying and skin moisturizing effect, along with making users feel warm even hours after they get out. There is a public onsen bath on the first floor, and 3 private open-air onsen baths available throughout the ryokan. The rooms are traditional with tatami mat floors and have all of the onsen towels that you need. If you want to visit Asamushi Onsen town, consider staying at Yadoya Tsubaki.

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Nambuya Kaisenkaku (南部屋・海扇閣)

Nambuya Kaisenkaku is an onsen ryokan located in Asamushi Onsen town, less than a 5 minutes walk away from Asamushi Onsen station. Nambuya Kaisenkaku is well known for 2 main things; the gorgeous views of the bay from their onsen baths and their live shamisen performances every night. In traditional Japanese fashion, Nambuya has a plethora of different shamisen artists and a live and sophisticated traditional shamisen performance every night from 8:30.

The views of the bay from the top-floor onsen bath are amazing. While the healing waters wash away your fatigue, look at the panoramic views and amazing sunsets. The water is said to be good at treating sore muscles, stiff joints, and nerve pains. At Namnbuya Kaisenkaku, there are two types of rooms, Japanese-style and western-style. If you want great ocean views and are okay with sleeping on tatami mats and futons, book a Japanese-style room. If you prefer views of the onsen town and beds, book a western-style room. Check out everything Nambuya Kaisenkaku has to offer below.

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HOTEL Jogakura (ホテル城ヶ倉)

HOTEL Jogakura is a mountain lodge getaway located on Hakkoda Mountain. If you’re looking for something more European-style with Japanese elements and Japanese onsen baths, you’re in the right place. There are plenty of amazing mountain landscapes, perfect for getaways in the summer or backcountry skiing in the winter. The rooms are full of warmth and have a theme of natural wood and European lodge design. Surround yourself in nature with HOTEL Jogakura’s large open-air public onsen, open year-round. You can enjoy lively greenery in spring and summer, bright orange and red trees in fall, and white snow-topped trees in winter.

There are no private onsen baths for rental, but there are private onsen baths in some of the rooms. If you prefer to bathe in private, you’re not alone. Make sure to book a room with a private onsen bath attached. The meals at Jogakura are carefully prepared by the head chef, who hand-picks each ingredient from morning markets in Aomori, fulling utilizing the delicious local meats and vegetables of Aomori every day. Kick back and relax in comfort while touring Aomori at HOTEL Jogakura. Check them out below.

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Aomori Machinaka Onsen (青森まちなかおんせん)

Aomori Machinaka Onsen is an onsen spa located conveniently about 5 minutes away from Aomori Station. This makes it the perfect location for those who want to relax and relieve the fatigue of everyday life without going too far away from civilization. They have everything that you need to relax and get cleaned up, including a barber shop. Even though Aomori Machinaka Onsen is an onsen spa, they partner with the connected Aomori Center Hotel to create a relaxing spa in the city.

Machinaka Onsen is great for first-timers, as the place has a welcoming atmosphere, plenty of different indoor and outdoor onsen baths with a variety of different temperatures, and a sauna. After you’re done in the onsen bath, buy a glass of Aomori milk from the vending machine and enjoy it to partake in a classic post-onsen bath tradition. Bring your own towels or rent one when buying your ticket from the vending machine in the front. Before heading home after your adventures in Aomori, stop by. If Aomori Machinaka Onsen interests you, book a room at the nearby hotel to complete your stay. Check out Machinaka Onsen below.

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Ajigasawa Onsen Suigun no Yado (鰺ヶ沢温泉 水軍の宿)

Ajigasawa Onsen Suigun no Yado is a Japanese onsen ryokan with amazing onsen facilities located about an hour away from Aomori Station, on the west coast of Aomori Prefecture. If you want to explore the city of Ajigasawa on the shores of the Sea of Japan, consider staying at Suigun no Yado. They have large public onsen baths and some private onsen baths attached to guest rooms. The onsen water here is said to be seawater that was trapped underneath the earth’s crust 300,000 thousand years ago during an earthquake. It’s filled with minerals and healing salts that are said to be perfect for healing stiff joints and shoulders along with muscle and nerve pains.

The rooms at Suigun no Yado are very traditional and beautiful. Every detail throughout the entire ryokan has been thought over and perfected. After your onsen bath, put on a traditional yukata and explore the premise. They offer guests a “Shampoo Buffest” where guests can choose their favorite scents with their desired effects for washing their hair in the bath. If you prefer to sleep on a bed, make sure to book a room with a bed. Most rooms have Japanese tatami mats in them, so you can be sure to experience traditional Japanese culture no matter what room you book. Check out Ajigasawa Onsen Suigun no Yado below.

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Conclusion

Have you found what onsen you want to go to while in Aomori?

When exploring Japan, one thing that you have to do is explore everything Japan has to offer. Why not eat some of Japan’s most delicious fruits and vegetables on your journey? Aomori is a huge prefecture with tons of onsen and has some of the best fruits and vegetables in the world. These onsen are just a few places that you may want to check out when planning your trip.

If you’re unsure about the rules and etiquette of public onsen baths in Japan, check out our other article.

• Onsen Etiquette

If you have tattoos, or just prefer to enjoy Japan’s onsen baths in private, check out our article on private onsen in Japan.

• 21 Best Ryokan with Private Onsen in Japan 2022

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