Iwate Morioka City
An inn where you can take in sweeping views of Goshoko Lake from the open-air baths and enjoy the free-flowing natural hot spring at Nanbu Magariya no Yu
"Hotel Shion, Morioka Tsunagi Onsen" is a hot spring hotel in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. Standing on the shore of beautiful Goshoko Lake, it offers superb views of the lake and Mt. Iwate from every guest room. Guests can enjoy pH 9.1 skin-beautifying waters in a variety of baths, including the large public bath "Hitorijime no Yu," which features one of Japan's largest silk baths, and "Nanbu Magariya no Yu," a free-flowing natural hot spring that recreates the charm of a traditional Nanbu magariya farmhouse. The hotel also has a dry sauna, a mist sauna, a cold plunge bath, and a private open-air bath. Savor luxurious bathing time along with local cuisine made with ingredients from the area.
A large public bath in an excellent location overlooking Goshoko Lake. The "silk bath" (silky bath), one of the largest in Japan, uses micro-fine bubbles to remove impurities and leave the skin smooth. It also includes the "open-air hinoki bath" (hinoki bath), where the overflowing water seems to flow directly into Goshoko Lake, creating a sense of unity with the scenery. Due to the gender swap the next morning, staying guests can enjoy both bathing areas.
An exquisite bath area reserved exclusively for staying guests, recreating the atmosphere of a classic Nanbu magariya farmhouse. This luxurious free-flowing natural hot spring bubbles up from a newly discovered source. With a fantastically lit open-air bath featuring an impressive octagonal roof, a standing-style open-air bath surrounded by large rocks with a depth of up to 90 cm, and indoor baths filled with the warmth of wood, guests can fully savor the skin-beautifying waters in a variety of carefully designed baths.
A private open-air bath reserved exclusively for staying guests. Advance reservation is required, and you can luxuriate in the soft free-flowing natural hot spring water together with friends or family in complete privacy. Without worrying about your surroundings, you can enjoy a blissful private bathing experience, savoring the renowned skin-beautifying hot spring in the quiet flow of time.
A private hot spring bath installed in the guest room, available exclusively to guests staying in the Premium Rooms. Each room is equipped with two baths, an open-air bath and an indoor bath, both with luxurious free-flowing natural hot spring water. With the magnificent views of Goshoko Lake and Mt. Iwate right before you, this is an exquisite private space where you can enjoy the silky smooth skin-beautifying waters whenever and as long as you like.
A dry sauna installed in the hinoki bath of the large public bath "Hitorijime no Yu." This compact room, filled with the warmth of wood, offers an authentic sauna experience, with pleasant heat that envelops your entire body. Through the large window, you can look out at the beautiful scenery of Goshoko Lake and enjoy a leisurely sweat in an open, refreshing atmosphere. Due to the gender swap the next morning, staying guests can enjoy it regardless of gender.
A mist sauna installed in the silk bath of the large public bath "Hitorijime no Yu." Gentle, refreshing warm mist envelops your whole body, allowing you to warm up gradually from the core without feeling stifled. It moisturizes the skin while pleasantly easing daily fatigue and tension. Due to the gender swap the next morning, staying guests can enjoy it regardless of gender.
A compact stainless-steel cold plunge bath installed right near the sauna room in the large public bath "Hitorijime no Yu." The crisp, icy water tightens a body heated by the sauna and provides a refreshing cooldown. After the cold plunge bath, you can enjoy an exquisite outdoor-air bath on the bench in the open-air area while feeling the pleasant breeze crossing Goshoko Lake and taking in the magnificent view.
[Day-use bathing] Weekdays 11:00-16:00 (last entry 15:00), Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11:00-15:00 (last entry 14:00). *Only the large public bath "Hitorijime no Yu" is available. Closed on cleaning days.
Iwate
A hot spring hotel nestled in the forests of Hachimantai, with birdsong and the scent of sulfur
Iwate
A lodge on the slopes of Mt. Iwate where you can enjoy natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source through five baths
Iwate
An ultra-cold free-flowing cold plunge bath using stream water and a famous free-flowing spring that leaves the skin smooth and silky
JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA
The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan
64 SELECTIONS
Most of what we surveyed never even made it onto this site. This book is a further cut from what did. Our editor bathed in every onsen and sauna in it, and wrote only what they confirmed on the ground.
