Matsukawa Onsen, one of Japan's hidden hot springs
This historic hot spring is said to have been opened in 1743.
Matsukawa Hot Springs is a hidden hot spring located near Matsukawa in Towada Hachimantai National Park. There are two inns operating here, and their baths are supplied with the milky sulfuric water of Hachimantai.
Just upstream is the Matsukawa Geothermal Power Station, which is a historic geothermal power station that started commercial operation for the first time in Japan.
Relaxing Bath Time in the Forest
The spring season at Matsukawa Onsen begins in April once the two scenic highland routes, the 17-kilometer Hachimantai Jukai Line and the 27-kilometer Hachimantai Aspite Line, are cleared of the long months of heavy snow. A drive through these famous snow corridors with their towering white walls of plowed snow leads to mountain valleys where sprouting plants and the calls of bush warblers announce spring’s arrival.
Summer brings the spreading green canopies of oak and beech leaves and the fun of watching fireflies at night. Fall, of course, is all about the trees’ brilliant tapestry of reds and golds.
And soaking in a steamy hot-spring bath in the quiet hush of winter with snow all around is surely one of the best Zen moments to be experienced in all of Japan. The restorative hot springs here are welcome respite for hikers and skiers, too.
Three trailheads are located at Matsukawa Onsen. One leads to Mount Iwate via Ubakurayama. Another goes directly to Mitsuishi after passing the Mitsuishi Lodge. A third takes a circular route, with jaw-dropping views of Mount Iwate from the peaks of Gentagatake, Ofuka, and Mitsuishi before heading back to Matsukawa Onsen.
The two lodging facilities in the Matsukawa Onsen area welcome day trippers and overnight guests. The milky water of this volcanic belt comes from sulfur springs. They have a typical mineral deposit called "Yubana", which has a distinctive smell reminiscent of boiled eggs. Also, do not be surprised that fresh eggs for onsen eggs made in the hot spring are on the light meal menu. These eggs, called "Onsen Eggs", are cooked with geothermal energy and are popular snacks and souvenirs at hot spring resorts all over Japan.
In addition, you can take home the hot spring mineral called "Yubana" as a souvenir and reproduce a full-fledged hot spring experience in your home bath.
Visitors can enjoy hot outdoor baths right on the Matsukawa River and even spend a day hopping from one lodging’s baths to the next. The pleasing sounds of a rushing mountain stream and the meditative effect of wind rustling through trees enhance relaxation. The sterilizing capacity of these sulfur springs aids the healing of skin ailments, while the chemical properties of sulfuric waters help to improve circulation. Moreover, sulfur springs are commonly known to improve bronchitis and neuralgia.
After a soak, siphon-brewed coffee or a tall glass of craft beer brewed with beech-tree yeast await. The meals served for overnight lodgers incorporate plenty of locally grown produce, including wild sansai plants, always a treat when visiting rural inns.
Matsukawa Onsen Matsukawa-so
Matsukawa Onsen Kyoun-so
Matsukawa Onsen Geothermal Plant
The Geocolor Dying Studio in Matsukawa Onsen Area
The birthplace of the first geothermal power plant in Japan, Hachimantai Matsukawa Onsen, has given birth to "geothermal dyeing".
The dyeing method using geothermal steam, established through trial and error, is a technique unparalleled in the world.
It is truly dyed with blessings from the earth.
Brilliantly colored scarves, furoshiki wrapping cloths, handkerchiefs, handbags, and even dresses by the textile artisans of Geocolor are another unique souvenir of a stay in Matsukawa. The pigments are set with pure hydrogen-sulfide steam piped directly into the studio from the earth below, yielding designs with softly gradated greens, blues, pinks, purples, and gold. These one-of-a-kind works recall nature’s own rich spectrum found in the forests, wetlands, alpine highlands, valleys, and hot springs of Hachimantai.
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