Tsurunoyu Onsen

Tsuru-no-yu Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Nyuto Onsenkyo and was once used as a therapeutic bath by the feudal lord of Akita.

Located at the foot of Mt. Nyuto, the area is surrounded by virgin beech forests and offers an original Japanese landscape.

There is a ryokan “Tsuru-no-yu Onsen” and an annex “Yama-no-Yado” with a quiet atmosphere equipped with a private open-air bath.

There are four different spring water sources: Shiroyu (hot spring for beauty), Kuroyu (hot spring for children), Naka-no-yu (hot spring for eyes), and Taki-no-yu (hot spring for hitting), and visitors can enjoy the hot spring water in the indoor baths, the hitting baths, and the open-air baths.

The most representative facility of Tsuru-no-yu Onsen is known as a mixed bathing open-air bath. This open-air bath, with white water gushing out from its feet, symbolizes the image of Tsuru-no-yu. It is frequently used as an introduction to Nyuto Onsenkyo and as an image of a hidden hot spring.

There are various types of accommodations, including rooms for hot-spring cures and rooms with sunken hearths.

Meals such as wild vegetable dishes, sweet potato stew, and grilled rockfish with miso are served over an open hearth and can be enjoyed with local sake or hidden hot spring beer.

In addition, private power is generated by a waterwheel.

History

Tsuru-no-yu Onsen is considered the oldest hot spring resort in Nyuto Onsenkyo. It is said to have been discovered in the Edo period (1603-1867) and was initially called “Tazawa-no-yu.

In 1638, Satake Yoshitaka, the second lord of the Akita Domain, once visited the hot spring for a therapeutic bath, and the current building of the main camp is a remnant of that visit. However, it is believed that a guard of honor stayed at this main camp.

This main camp was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2010. The thatched roof is replaced every few decades.

In 1708, a matagi (local hunter) saw an injured crane healing its wounds in the hot spring during a hunt. This is said to be the reason why the hot spring was named “Tsuru-no-yu” from “Tazawa-no-yu” (hot spring in Tazawa).

It was not until later that a single inn was opened, and it has been operated as a therapeutic bath during the off-season for farmers.

In 1967, it was designated as a national recreational hot spring resort as part of Nyuto Hot Spring Village, and in the 1980s, it began to attract attention along with the “hidden hot spring” boom.

Spring Quality

Tsuru-no-yu Onsen has four sources: Shiroyu, Kuroyu, Naka-no-yu, and Taki-no-yu, each with the following spring qualities

Shiroyu: Sulfur-containing sodium-calcium chloride-hydrogen carbonate spring (hydrogen sulfide type)
Kuroyu: Sodium chloride and bicarbonate spring
Nakanoyu: Sodium content and salt hydrogen sulfide spring
Taki no Yu: Sulfur containing sodium chloride and bicarbonate spring