Sukayu Onsen

Onsen

Prefecture

Aomori

Type

Onsen

N/A

0 reviews

¥1,500

Entry Fee

Restaurant

About This Destination

A single mountain inn at about 890 m in the Hakkoda range, known for the Hiba Sennin-buro, a pillarless mixed bath of hiba wood about 160 tatami mats in size, filled with strongly acidic sulfur water. The weather station here measured 566 cm of snow on February 26, 2013, the deepest since JMA's automated stations began keeping statistics in 1979.

The name means "sour hot water", and the water earns it: acidic sulfur water with a pH below 2. Sukayu is one inn at about 890 m on the slopes of the Hakkoda mountains, and tradition dates the spring to 1684. Its main bath, the Hiba Sennin-buro, is a single hall of hiba wood with no pillars, about 160 tatami mats in size, shared by four waters: the hot Netsu-no-yu, Shibu-rokubu-no-yu, the cooler Hie-no-yu and the Yutaki falls. It is mixed bathing, and the rules are firm. You may wear a bathing wrap, but only the inn's own: rented for 500 yen, or sold to women for 1,300 yen. Women-only time is 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning, and if mixed bathing is not for you, the smaller Tama-no-yu is separated by sex. In 1954 Sukayu was one of the first three spas named a national health resort, with Shima Onsen in Gunma and Nikko Yumoto. Then there is the snow. On February 26, 2013 the weather station at Sukayu measured 566 cm, still the deepest any JMA automated station has logged since 1979. Drivers need four-wheel drive or chains, and the road is generally not plowed after 17:00.

Location

Prefecture: Aomori

Address: Aomori, Japan

Nearest Station: Aomori Station

Closed: Open every day, but the whole inn, day bathing included, closes for a few days at a time for maintenance. Closure dates are posted on the official site.

Hours note: Day bathing runs 9:00 to 16:00 with last entry at 15:30, in both the mixed Sennin-buro and the separate men's and women's Tama-no-yu. The Sennin-buro's women-only time is 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning, before day visitors are admitted.

Best time to visit: Winter (January to March) for the deep snow; the bath is open all year

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is day bathing at Sukayu, and what are the hours?

It costs 1,500 yen for junior high school students and older and 500 yen for elementary school children, with preschoolers free. Hours are 9:00 to 16:00, last entry 15:30. Tickets come from a cash-only vending machine, and a bath towel to borrow and a face towel to keep are included.

Is the Sennin-buro really mixed bathing, and can women cover up?

Yes, it is mixed. Bathing wraps are optional, but only the inn's own are allowed: rental costs 500 yen for men or women, and women can buy one for 1,300 yen. Women-only time in the Sennin-buro is 8:00 to 9:00, and the Tama-no-yu bath is always separated by sex.

Can I get to Sukayu in winter without a car?

Yes. The JR bus from Aomori Station runs every day of the year and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. Overnight guests can also book the inn's free shuttle from Shin-Aomori Station.

How deep does the snow get at Sukayu?

Very deep. The Japan Meteorological Agency's station at Sukayu measured 566 cm on February 26, 2013, the highest figure for its automated stations since statistics began in 1979. The inn and the road are cleared, but heavy snowfall can still slow the drive.