 Serene Tsuta Spa with a graceful appearance |
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Keigetsu Omachi, a poet of the Meiji and Taisho Eras, introduced the beauty of Towada Lake, which was buried deep in the mountains. One hot spring in a mountainous area, which he loved very much and where he spent most of his life, is this spa of Tsuta. Tsuta Spa was opened by someone from the country of Kai 840 years ago. Up to that point, there had been a natural open-air bath used only by a few people who knew this mountain as a secret, relaxed spa. The present day Tsuta Spa opened in 1909. Its main building was built using horse chestnuts and beech trees in 1918 and its serene appearance still retains the flavor of the old days. The splendid building gives the impression that it was built by master craftsmen and its polished wood finishes are truly expressive, warm and tasteful. Tsuta means bracken in Ainu and this area is literally a growing area for bracken. When the owner of the Tsuta Spa was a child, a bicycle trailer could be fully loaded with bracken after just one trip around the area.
 Its bath was built right above the source of the hot spring, so the hot spring gushes directly out. One of literary men who enjoyed this spa, Kagai Kodama, wrote a poem about it, "When I soak in the bathtub, bubbles rising to the surface of the hot water from the bottom and my skin feels good. You bubbles were born after all in this mountain like a baby for the first time in one hundred or thousand years."
Soaking in beautifully clear hot water, the hot water bubbles and rises from between the boards at the bottom of the tub made completely of wood from the beech trees and tickles the skin comfortably. One can be moved when touched directly by a natural hot spring that comes from the depths of the earth.
 Temperature |
47 |
Properties of the spring |
Sodium sulfate |
| Medical benefits |
Neuralgia, rheumatism, digestive disorders, women's diseases, etc. |
| Transportation |
Near Yakeyama, by bus bound for Towada Lake from Misawa JR Station, Tohoku-honsen Line |
| Inquiry |
Tsuta Spa: @0176-74-2311 |
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 Seven marshes of Tsuta
 Around Tsuta Spa there is a primeval forest of beech trees several hundred years old called the sea of trees in Towada Lake. The deep blue "Seven marshes of Tsuta" quietly lie in dense forest. In order to stroll around the seven marshes of Tsuta, a nature study route is provided from the hot spring. It takes about one hour and visitors can enjoy the relatively easy stroll.  Of the seven marshes in Tsuta, Tsutanuma is closest to the hot spring followed by Kagaminuma, Tsukinuma, Naganuma, Suganuma, Hyotan-numa and Akanuma. In particular, the water in Akanuma is transparent to a depth of 18 meters and presents a mysterious view. There is also a sad legend about this area and visitors may be swallowed in eternal romanticism when walking along the waterside path. Throughout the year, various wild and migratory birds fly over the water and visitors can enjoy this peaceful view of nature.
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| Towada Lake Spa |
| Serene, elegant inns with hot springs |
Towadako Town |
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| Oirase Grand Hotel |
Located at the entrance to the Oirase mountain stream, Towada Lake Spa plays a role as the base for sightseeing Oirase. Because the skiing grounds of Towada hot spring are located on the hilly side of the hot spring resort, many people visit in winter to enjoy skiing and riding snowmobiles. The "Marching tour in snow" held on Mt. Hakkoda in February is very popular among people from the cities and has been a big event since 1991.
Towada Lake Spa is scattered around the area near the Yakeyama bus stop where Aomori Prefecture starts near the Oirase mountain stream and towards Towada City along the Oirase River. Various inns stand in a row, creating a quiet appearance with small streams and deep forests.
In particular, the "Oirase Grand Hotel" standing near the mountain stream is incorporated with the surrounding forests. Its white walls are beautifully harmonious with the log beams. Their panoramic baths offer the best place to relax and enjoy the different colors of the changing seasons. In the lobby, one will be moved by the gigantic fireplace "Forest Myth" built by Taro Okamoto.
| Temperature |
70 |
Properties of the spring |
Hydrogen sulfide, sulfur spring |
| Medical benefits |
Burns, wounds, skin diseases, diabetes, gout, etc. |
| Transportation |
Near Towadako-onsenkyo, by bus bound for Towadako from Misawa JR Station, Tohoku-honsen Line |
| Inquiry |
Towada Lake Hot Spring Resort Inn Association: 0176-74-2231 |
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| Oirase mountain stream |
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