 Owani Spa |
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There are inns with hot springs along the
clear stream of the Hira River. Although
they stand in a disorderly manner, they exude
a heartwarming atmosphere. The spa has been
popular for a long time as "a back parlor
of Tsugaru."
Owani Spa is said to have originated 800
years ago and was discovered by Shonin Enchi
who on a pilgrimage in the eastern part of
the country at that time. On the way, Shonin
became ill here and prayed to Dainichi-nyorai
for a full recovery. A child appeared in
his dream and said, "You will recover
if you take a hot spring bath at the hour
of the ox (between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.)
on the day of the ox, the hottest day of
the summer." It is said that Shonin
discovered the hot spring according to this
divine message and his disease was cured.
Since then, Owani Spa has been popular as
a place for medical treatment and as a recreational
place during the agricultural off-season,
and has gradually developed over time. Based
on that historical event, an unusual festival
called "the festival of the hot spring
of the ox (Owani hot spring festival)"
is held by placing the statue of an ox on
a statue of Buddha without any resistance.
It is one of the strangest festivals in Japan.
In the early Meiji Era, the number of many
such inns that could respond to guests who
stayed for a short period of time increased
due to the development of transportation
and hot spring resorts were gradually created.
Since the opening of Owani Station on the
Ohu-honsen Line, hot spring resorts have
prospered with many visitors and the pleasure
quarters have flourished for people seeking
entertainment. After the Second World War,
the spa became overcrowded with those who
came to buy rice and apples. The inns along
the river still look just as they did in
those days.
 Temperature |
78Ž |
Properties of the spring |
Spring with sodium chloride and sulfate |
| Medical benefits |
Chronic rheumatism, low back pain, wounds,
hemorrhoids, neuralgia, etc. |
| Transportation |
Near JR Owani-onsen Station, Ohu Line |
| Inquiry |
Owani Hot Spring Resort Inn Association:
0172-48-3141 |
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