Japan’s Hidden Hot Springs: The Nipple Onsen in the Twin Peaks

By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team, compiled and reported

When thinking about traveling to Japan, soaking in an onsen is definitely an essential part of the itinerary, especially during autumn and winter when it attracts many visitors. There are many uniquely charming hidden hot springs across Japan, and one located in the northeastern Akita Prefecture is known as the “Nipple Onsen,” considered a must-visit hidden hot spring in a lifetime. The Nipple Onsen gets its name because the hot spring sources are nestled between two mountains that resemble the shape of breasts. To reach the onsen, visitors must drive along rugged mountain roads.

Akita Prefecture’s Nipple Onsen Village has a total of 10 continuously flowing hot spring sources, with colors ranging from brown, blue, white to transparent. Within the onsen village, there are seven ryokan (Japanese inns): Ogama Onsen, Resort Nipple Onsen Village, Kanihashi Onsen, Yunotaki Onsen, Myōnotaki, Tsurunoyu, and Nuruyu Onsen. Each inn has its own unique features, but Tsurunoyu is the most popular. Records of Tsurunoyu date back over 300 years ago. Within a 50-meter radius (approximately 164 feet), there are four spring sources, each with different qualities. It is said that Tsurunoyu was discovered when people saw injured cranes bathing their wounds in the milky-white hot spring water, thus recognizing the healing properties of the spring, and naming it Tsurunoyu (Crane’s Hot Spring). Its distinctive feature is the traditional thatched roof. Other buildings also exude a rustic charm, allowing visitors to experience old-world Japanese ambiance.