What type of hot spring water does Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village have?

The village has sodium-chloride spring water with source temperatures of 60-70 degrees Celsius. The waters are known for their skin-softening properties.

Can I visit the hot springs without staying overnight?

Yes, many ryokan and public bathhouses in the village offer day-use bathing options for visitors not staying overnight. Day-use fees typically range from 500-1,000 yen per person. This allows travelers to experience the onsen facilities while based elsewhere or during a day trip to the area.

How do I get to Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village from Tokyo?

Take the JR Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo to Tazawako Station, which takes approximately 3 hours. From Tazawako Station, local buses run to the highland hot spring area with journey times of 15-20 minutes. Note that bus frequency varies by season, so checking schedules in advance is recommended.

What is the best season to visit Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village?

The village operates year-round with two distinct peak seasons. Summer offers hiking opportunities and pleasant highland temperatures, while winter from December through March attracts visitors for the nearby Tazawako Ski Resort and the experience of bathing in outdoor hot springs surrounded by snow. Spring and autumn provide quieter periods with seasonal scenery.

Is Lake Tazawa close to the hot spring village?

Lake Tazawa is located approximately 10 kilometers from the highland hot spring village. The lake, which is Japan's deepest at 423 meters, can be reached by local bus or car and makes a popular side trip for visitors staying in the hot spring area. Many travelers combine bathing at the highland onsen with sightseeing around the lake.

Akita

Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village

4 (1365)HotelResort HotelLodgingRestaurantFoodPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Apr 8, 2026

Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village, known locally as Tazawako Kogen Onsen-kyo, is a mountain resort area situated at approximately 600 meters elevation in the highlands of Senboku City, Akita Prefecture. The hot spring village developed during the latter half of the 20th century as part of regional tourism expansion around Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake. The area capitalizes on its proximity to both the famous caldera lake and the natural geothermal activity characteristic of the Tohoku volcanic region.

The village's thermal waters are classified as sodium-chloride springs, drawing from underground sources heated by residual volcanic activity. The waters typically maintain temperatures between 60-70 degrees Celsius at the source and are noted for their smooth texture and skin-softening properties. The highland setting provides visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding Ou Mountains and seasonal landscapes, from spring cherry blossoms to winter powder snow that supports nearby ski operations at Tazawako Ski Resort.

Visitors come primarily for the traditional onsen bathing experience available at several ryokan (Japanese inns) and public bathhouses throughout the village. The facilities range from large communal indoor baths to outdoor rotenburo pools that allow bathing while viewing mountain scenery. Many accommodations offer day-use bathing options for non-overnight guests. The village serves as a base for exploring Lake Tazawa, located approximately 10 kilometers away, and for accessing winter sports facilities during the snow season from December through March.

Access to Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village requires traveling to Tazawako Station on the JR Akita Shinkansen line, which connects to Tokyo in approximately 3 hours. From the station, local buses operate to the highland area with journey times of around 15-20 minutes, though service frequency varies seasonally. Visitors with private vehicles can reach the village via National Route 341. Most onsen facilities charge day-use bathing fees ranging from 500-1,000 yen per person, while overnight accommodation rates vary by establishment and season.

Phone

+81 187-46-2016

Website

tazawako-lakeresort.com

Overview

Address

Shimotakano-82-117 Tazawako Obonai, Semboku, Akita 014-1201, Japan

Places & attractions near Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village

A traditional Japanese house is surrounded by lush greenery and blooming cherry blossom trees. A wooden gate stands at the entrance, and sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Kakunodate's Bukeyashiki-dori Street

Dakigaeri Valley, Senboku

Akita Museum of Art

Hotai no Taki

Places & attractions near Tazawako Highland Hot Spring Village

Kakunodate's Bukeyashiki-dori Street

Dakigaeri Valley, Senboku

Akita Museum of Art

Hotai no Taki

Frequently Asked Questions

Traveler reviews

Beautiful traditional-style rooms, with a stunning view. Set back from the main town a little so not the easiest to access but there is a local bus route (to nyuto onsen) that runs from the station and stops at the bottom of the access road. The walk from there is uphill and takes about 12 minutes (which feels more with luggage). We hired a car on day 2 of our trip and it made everything so much easier - would definitely recommend, especially if you're heading to the onsen in the area (tsurunoyu is highly recommended but a taxi will cost you ~¥10,000 from here! The public bus will take you about halfway but there's not much else up there so unless you fancy a long trek, the car will be both cheaper and more convenient) The hotel itself is lovely, scrupulously clean and with nice facilities. The hot springs are very relaxing, and in the chillier weather the outside baths are even nicer with the contrasting temperatures of cold air and 42/44°C water. The food served is nicely made and presented, with several local specialities included. The menu is broadly the same each day, so if you want variety then this is about the only place it falls down. All in all, a lovely place to stay. Staff were all extremely polite and courteous and despite a bit of a language barrier (we speak only very basic Japanese, they speak some English), they went out of their way to ensure we understood what was being said, and how the hotel worked. Note: there was a small accommodation fee (they called it a 'spa fee') which is not unusual in Japan but we hadn't realised in advance as we booked through a tour company. It was only ¥300/person, which at today's rate was about £1.47 each. Negligible amount but worth knowing

Rich Harle

Oct 25, 2025

A little walk from the bus stop but we didn’t mind it. It was nice to see some of the snow views. Lovely clean Onsen. Outdoor Onsen was great and intimate. Dinner buffet was really delicious. There were so many options, high quality.

Its a very family type of resort. The room is clean, toilet is clean though has some stains probably through use. Good view of snow and white powdery snow on the hill. A 10 mins walk to the bus stop. Buffet is great and a highlight of our stay.

I liked the food but the hot springs could be improved. In particular I liked the scallop sashimi at the dinner buffet, and the opportunity to try a wide variety of other Japanese foods whose names I did not know. For the onsens themselves, unfortunately for one of them, the temperatures of the outdoor pools were less than stated - for example, the 44 degrees pool was only 40 degrees according to thermometer beside it, and based on feeling it definitely felt less hot than the 42 degrees indoor pool.

While the resort offers a fantastic onsen and the food (both breakfast and dinner) is excellent and fresh, note that its proximity to the lake is limited. You will definitely need a car to get around. The service from the staff was very good.