Kawarage Jigoku

Kawarage Jigoku is said to still bear the remnants of volcanic activity, with its mountain covered in ash-white lava. The bizarre rocks erupting with steam and volcanic gas are popular, with steam rising from various parts of the rocky surface. These rocks, which spew steam and volcanic gas, are one of the amazing sights woven by nature, and when visiting Akita Prefecture, why not take a trip to see them?

While the area boasts a desolate, hellish landscape, a hot spring flows from a stream in the middle of Kawarago Jigoku, and it is this water that cascades down to form Kawarago Oyu Waterfall. The waterfall itself is a natural hot spring, and there is a free open-air bath in the basin. Bathing is only available during the summer, but in the fall, the autumn leaves are beautiful and depending on the weather, you can also enjoy a foot bath. There are other places where hot springs flow besides Kawarago Oyu Waterfall, but some of these places can be dangerous due to high temperatures, so caution is advised. We recommend visiting Kawarago Oyu Waterfall as well when you visit Kawarago Jigoku in the fall, as you can enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves and foot baths.

The observatory at Kawara-machi Jigoku is located on the south side of the Kawara-machi Jigoku. From the observatory, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains. In addition, you can feel the power of nature by experiencing the strange rock formations and the smell of sulfur from the Kawara-machi Jigoku. The observatory is about a 10-minute walk from the Kawara-machi Jigoku parking lot. Parking is free at the Kawara-machi Jigoku parking lot. However, the view from the observatory is not very large as the main attraction is the Kawara-machi Jigoku. Also, depending on the weather, there may be fog or the view from the observatory may be obstructed, so it is recommended to check the weather in advance. From the observatory, you can enjoy views of the Yuzawa cityscape, mountains, strange rock formations and the smell of sulfur from the Kawara-machi Jigoku, and feel the power of nature. As you can also enjoy the nature and scenery around the Kawara-machi Jigoku, it is recommended to visit with plenty of time to spare.

Koan-kyo Onsen is a historic hot spring that has been used as a therapeutic spa since the Edo period. The hot spring is located in a valley and has four sources, with two different types of water quality. One of its characteristics is that it produces hot water at a high temperature of 95 degrees Celsius. Located in the Koan-kyo valley, it is also known as a tourist attraction where you can enjoy the beauty of nature in all four seasons. In spring, you can see fresh greenery, in autumn, you can enjoy the autumn leaves, and in winter, you can see large icicles called "shigakko" hanging from the cliffs. In addition, there are other hot spring towns such as "Oyu Onsen" around the Koan-kyo area, which is blessed with geothermal energy. There are also inns where you can enjoy handmade, additive-free dishes made with local ingredients that change with the seasons, and the artisans themselves provide hospitality. Koan-kyo Onsen, with its rare water quality and beautiful valley, is a must-visit destination after visiting Kawara-machi Jigoku.

Akino-miya Onsen is known as one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Akita Prefecture, and is an extremely luxurious hot spring resort where each accommodation has its own source. The hot spring resort and its surroundings are also certified as a geosite of the Yuzawa Geopark, called "Akino-miya Onsen". It's also famous as a hot spring cure, and you can feel the atmosphere of a utopia while listening to the sound of the stream from the open-air bath. Among them, "Innoshima Onsen", a famous inn from the Showa era, was loved by many cultural figures and celebrities, and has been revived as a high-quality hot spring inn of Kyoritsu Resort. Each accommodation has its own unique hot spring, making it a very attractive spot for travelers. Why not stay and be healed by the hot springs when visiting Kawara-machi Jigoku?