Doroyu hot spring
Hot Spring Overview
Doroyu Onsen is a traditional healing spa located in Takamatsu, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, at the northern foot of the Kamuro mountain range near the border between Akita and Miyagi prefectures. It is said to have been established about 1,200 years ago, and its name derives from the cloudy appearance of the water. In this hot spring area, two ryokans established in the Meiji era—Okuyama Ryokan and Ogura Ryokan—still exist, creating a quiet secluded hot spring atmosphere in a small basin nestled among mountains.
There is an interesting legend about this hot spring: long ago, a young woman suffering from illness was too embarrassed to enter the clear hot spring water, when a tengu (long-nosed goblin) appeared and turned the water white like rice washing water. The woman was able to bathe in the water and her illness was cured, and since then, the waters of Doroyu Onsen have remained cloudy.
Nearby is Kawarage Jigoku, one of Japan's three major sacred grounds, and there are areas around the hot spring where steam and hydrogen sulfide gas still emerge. However, due to a fatal hydrogen sulfide gas poisoning accident in 2005, restricted areas have been established within the hot spring area. It is a place that conveys the power of nature and inspires a sense of awe toward it.
About Secluded Rating
Access (Difficulty to Reach)
15min walk
In terms of location, this hot spring is situated in a small basin in the mountains, approximately 50 minutes by car from Yuzawa Station. Public transportation requires using either a reservation-only shuttle bus or taxi. During winter, road conditions deteriorate significantly, with some routes becoming completely closed, making access particularly challenging.
The hot spring area itself is an extremely small settlement with only two inns scattered about, both established during the Meiji era. Previously there were four inns, but this number has now been reduced by half. Surrounded by mountains, there are almost no commercial facilities, strongly conveying an atmosphere of a place purely for enjoying hot springs.
Regarding water quality, there are multiple naturally flowing hot spring sources, each offering waters with different characteristics. For hot spring enthusiasts, the ability to experience authentic thermal waters drawn directly from the source with minimal water addition or circulation is especially valuable.
The surrounding environment remains pristine with untouched nature, and nearby is Kawaramagejigoku, one of Japan's three major spiritual places. This area features a hellish landscape created by volcanic activity, allowing visitors to experience a primitive atmosphere untouched by human hands.
Visitors are limited, with mostly hot spring enthusiasts and therapeutic bathers, especially on weekdays and during winter months. While recognition has increased in recent years through membership in the "Japan Association to Protect Hidden Hot Springs," it remains a place where large tour buses do not arrive in droves, allowing guests to enjoy the hot springs in tranquility.
However, it is not completely a wild hot spring—accommodations and basic facilities are available, with Okuyama Ryokan undergoing renovation in 2019 to ensure minimum comfort. Day bathing is also accepted, so it is not entirely an isolated location known only to insiders.
Based on these elements, after comprehensive assessment, it has been judged appropriate to evaluate this location as "Level 2: Hidden Hot Spring."
Hot Spring Details
Practical Info
Visit Log
Bath Types
Facilities
Access Information
By public transportation:
Take the JR Ou Main Line to Yuzawa Station
From the station, take the "Komachi Shuttle" bus service that runs directly to the onsen (one-way fare 2,000 yen per person, reservation required)
Alternatively, use a shared taxi (one-way fare 1,400 yen per person, reservation required with Senshu Taxi)
By private car:
From the Tohoku Expressway:
If coming from the Kanto or Miyagi Prefecture side: From Furukawa IC on the Tohoku Expressway, via Naruko, take National Route 108, National Route 13, and Prefectural Road 51 (Yuzawa Kurikoma Park Line) to Doroyu (approximately 160 minutes from Furukawa IC)
From the Akita Expressway:
If coming from the Iwate Prefecture or Sea of Japan side: From Sukawa IC on the Yuzawa Yokote Road, take Prefectural Road 51 (Yuzawa Kurikoma Park Line) and then Prefectural Road 310 to Doroyu (approximately 25 minutes from Sukawa IC)
It should be noted that since the route passes through mountain roads, checking road conditions is necessary, especially in winter. Prefectural Road 51 between Oyasu and Doroyu and Prefectural Road 310 may be closed due to snow or bad weather. It is recommended to check the latest road information in advance.
Also, there are areas around the hot spring where hydrogen sulfide gas emerges, so it's important to never enter restricted areas as they are dangerous. Particularly during the snowy season, there are warnings to avoid climbing on snow as snow caves with accumulated hydrogen sulfide gas underneath may form.
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