 Sukayu Spa |
|
|
Since designated as the first hot spring
in the private sector in 1954, Sukayu Spa
has been among the greatest spas in Aomori
Prefecture. The inn with its hot spring has
a history of about 300 years and has been
popular since the Edo period.
As regards the discoveries of old hot springs,
they usually have a legend attached to them
whereby a hunter discovered such beasts and
birds that cured their wounds with hot springs.
Sukayu Spa also has such a legend about a
deer that got injured and the spa has also
been called the " deer spa" for
a long time. There have been many visitors
to the spa looking for a hot-spring cure
since the Edo period. It is said that during
the Edo period people climbed the roads of
seven and a half ri in spring only when the
snow became hard , built a hut thatched and
walled with rushes and went to bathe in the
hot-spring, the cold-spring, the spa with
40% hot water and 60% cold water and the
deer spa. They took an open-air bath at that
time. In order to prevent getting rough,
dry skin from wind, snow and direct sunshine,
they wore white underwear.
 |
| Bath for 1,000 bathers |
The spa is famous for its big "bath
for 1,000 bathers" of 80 tsubo and it
is made completely from Japanese cypress.
Mixed bathing is natural in the bath where
young and old of both sexes bathe together
to enjoy its medical benefits. However, the
hour from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM is for women
only.
 Temperature |
43 |
Properties of the spring |
Acid, sulfur spring |
| Medical benefits |
Neuralgia, rheumatism, digestive disorders,
asthma, women's diseases, constipation, diabetes,
etc. |
| Transportation |
About 80 minutes by JR bus from Aomori Station
to Sukayu-onsen-mae |
| Inquiry |
Sukayu Spa: 017-738-6400 |
|
|
|
 Scenic spots around Sukayu Spa
 |
| Mt. Hakkoda |
Sukayu Spa is located in a cool hilly area
about 900 meters above sea level at the western
foot of the highest peak "Odake"
of Mt. Hakkoda in the northern part of Towada
Hachimantai National Park. The change of
the seasons is quite noticeable in this region.
Because the region is close to the border
of areas where beech trees and Aomori fir
trees spread, there are many kinds of alpine
plants. The beauty of its nature is also
academically highly rated. This region plays
a great role as the base for sightseeing
Mt. Hakkoda. The region is used as accommodation
for a team of snow-removal workers, who provide
passages through accumulated snow before
spring, and also as the start of the trail
to moors like Kenashitai and Tamoyana that
lead to North Hakkoda and the mountainsides.
Sukayu Spa still retains the purity and simplicity
of old times. House martins have built nests
in its attics and their flying in groups
in the sky is a familiar scenic sight. |
|
Jigokunuma
This hot spring gushes out from a crater
created an after explosion. The area is filled
with the offensive odor of sulfur and steam
and presents a unique view. The temperature
of the spa reaches 98. |
|
|