Up in the mountains in the eastern region of Akita, there is a small place called Tamagawa Onsen. Barely accessible in winter, this little hot spring is special, but very out of the way.
Tamagawa Onsen
This was recommended as a good day trip from the city, so we went. It was still surrounded by snow, but the temperature was over 20 degrees. A beautiful day in spring for soaking in a hot spring and relaxing on a volcano. The water bubbles out of the ground at about 98 degrees and has a pH level of 1.2, the most acidic hot spring in Japan. Many people go to Tamagawa to treat illnesses (even severe ones) because the waters are supposed to have healing properties. This is not a hot spring for beginners; the water is saturated with minerals. Also, there is an area where you can lay on rocks that are being heated by the volcanic activity below. I think. I don't really understand the science of rocks.
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| Tamagawa Onsen |
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| Tamagawa Onsen |
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| Tamagawa Onsen, nearby river |
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| Tamagawa Onsen spring; 98 degrees and pH level of 1.2 |
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| Tamagawa Onsen, a good place to get warmed up by hot rocks. |
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| Volcanic activity on the mountain |
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| random lake between Lake Tazawa and Tamagawa Onsen |
On the way home, we stopped at Lake Tazawa for some food and a short walk through the Akita Citizen's Forest, where cherry trees were in bloom.
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| Lake Tazawa |
Overall, a really nice day trip and a beautiful day to take it.
