7 Recommended Sightseeing Spots in “Asamushi Onsen,” Aomori!

Asamushi Onsen is a historic hot spring and a popular tourist destination in Aomori. Visitors can tour the various hot spring baths, make onsen-cooked eggs (onsen tamago) along the way, and warm themselves from the inside out by drinking hot spring water. A footbath (ashiyu) that can be enjoyed while wearing your regular clothes is also a popular choice. Each ryokan (traditional inn) offers creative sweets, and there is also a wide variety of gourmet dishes featuring both seafood and mountain delicacies.

Below are seven recommended sightseeing spots in Asamushi Onsen, which is full of must-see attractions.

1. Asamushi Onsen

Said to have been discovered in the Heian period (794–1185), Asamushi Onsen is a popular hot spring where you can enjoy touring the public baths. It is also bustling with visitors, earning it the nickname “Atami of the Tohoku region.” A convenient system allows you to purchase a “Mashi-yu fuda” pass: for 1,000 yen you can visit two baths, or for 1,500 yen you can visit three. This is an especially good deal for those who want to try multiple hot springs.

Beyond the hot springs themselves, you can enjoy “Sweets Tours,” sampling confections made by each ryokan using carefully selected Aomori ingredients, as well as “Treasure Tours,” where you can view each facility’s traditional specialty items. Visitors can experience an extra layer of enjoyment beyond simply soaking in the springs. During the Nebuta Festival season, many people make Asamushi Onsen their relaxing base, traveling to attend the various festivals around Aomori.

In spring, a nearby seaside fishing park opens, so you can enjoy outdoor activities and then warm yourself in the hot springs afterward. In summer, you can even view fireflies here. In addition to the famous Nebuta Festival, there is also a popular fireworks festival during the summer. In autumn, stroll through the colorful foliage, then relieve your fatigue in the hot springs. During winter, snow hiking and trekking are also popular.

Surrounded by nature, Asamushi Onsen is an ideal destination to refresh both body and mind throughout all four seasons.

2. Asamushi Onsen “Onsen Tamago-ba”

Open 24 hours a day, Onsen Tamago-ba is a popular spot where you can make your own onsen eggs in about 18 to 22 minutes. Because the time it takes depends on the weather and temperature, it’s recommended to check with the information center for the best timing to achieve your preferred style of onsen egg.

Onsen eggs are sometimes called “edible hot springs.” Eggs have many tiny pores invisible to the naked eye, and through these, hot spring minerals penetrate to create their distinct flavor. Different hot springs around Japan produce unique tastes in their onsen eggs. At Asamushi Onsen, the spring water has a slight salty taste, so the resulting eggs have a gentle saltiness. Right next to the onsen egg station, there is also a footbath. While waiting for your eggs to finish cooking, you can warm your feet in the bath—one of the recommended ways to enjoy Asamushi Onsen.

3. Drinking Hot Springs (Insenjo)

At an insenjo marked with the characters for “Mashi” (麻蒸), you can drink the same hot spring water that feeds Asamushi Onsen. Ladles are provided, so feel free to use them. The source water is about 72.3℃ (162°F), so be careful not to burn yourself. The slightly salty spring water will warm your body from the inside.

While you’re making onsen eggs at the “Onsen Tamago-ba,” you can also warm yourself from the inside by drinking the hot spring water and from your feet by soaking in the footbath next door—leaving both your body and spirit completely relaxed. It’s a great spot to enjoy the hot spring experience even if you’re not planning to fully immerse yourself in a bath.

4. “Roadside Station” Asamushi Onsen Yu~sa Asamushi

“Roadside Station” Asamushi Onsen Yu~sa Asamushi is a five-story facility plus a market, making it a popular tourist spot. On the top floor (5th floor), there is an open-view hot spring bath called Hadaka-yu. You can enjoy Asamushi Onsen at an affordable price while taking in views of Mutsu Bay and Yunoshima Island—one reason why it’s such a hit with visitors. The bath opens at 7 AM, allowing you to see the sunrise if you go early.

On the 3rd floor, the restaurant is known for delicious local fare from Asamushi Onsen. Try the “Scallop Extravaganza Set Meal (Hotate-zukushi Teishoku)” featuring scallops from Mutsu Bay, among other reasonably priced dishes with a rich flavor. If you love noodles, be sure to check out the scallop-topped Chinese-style soba. You can also order items like grilled scallops on the side.

Additionally, at the snack corner Wasamo, located next to the Yu~sa Market, you can enjoy local Asamushi Onsen gourmet dishes. The most popular item among visitors is the scallop tempura tsukimi soba (a soba dish topped with a raw egg). Grilled squid and grilled scallops are also highly recommended if you’re looking for a quick and tasty way to savor Asamushi’s seafood.

At the Yu~sa Market, you can shop for many of Asamushi Onsen’s most popular products. Asamushi Onsen is known for producing a type of currant (blackcurrants) that can be quite expensive in the Tokyo area; you’ll find ice cream, jams, and other sweets made from them. Since you’re in Aomori, don’t forget to check out the many apple-based products as well—apple vinegar is especially popular among health-conscious visitors.

5. Asamushi Aquarium

Next up is the Asamushi Aquarium, famous for its dolphin shows at the dolphin pool, held four times a day, and its “Dolphin Feeding Time.”

The penguin and seal feedings in the Marine Mammal House are also popular. You can even shake hands with a dolphin at certain events, and there are various monthly events such as night tours.

In the snack corner, you can grab items like soft-serve ice cream, apple pie, or takoyaki. The Asamushi Aquarium is a great spot for parents and children to enjoy together.

6. Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival

Asamushi Onsen is said to be one of the birthplaces of the Nebuta Festival, and its Nebuta Festival draws tourists from all over Japan. The festival features four large nebuta floats, as well as costumed dancers known as “Baketo,” and even visitors can join in the dancing—one of the reasons for this festival’s popularity. Many ryokan (inns) also serve complimentary sake in front of their entrances, further energizing the festivities.

It is held twice: on a Saturday and Sunday in mid-July, and again in mid-August. There are two routes: one starts at the old Asamushi Elementary School and ends in Asamushi Onsen, and the other starts at Hotel Akitaya and ends in Asamushi Onsen.

7. Asamushi Fireworks Festival

Launched over the sea in Aomori, the Asamushi Onsen Fireworks Festival is a popular summer tourist event. Around 4,000 fireworks light up the night sky near Asamushi Seaside Park, which is about a five-minute walk from Asamushi Onsen Station. The festival atmosphere is enhanced by the many food stalls that appear each year.

Strolling through the charming Asamushi Onsen town in your yukata, then enjoying the fireworks before relaxing in the hot springs, is a classic way to experience summer here. Same-day tickets for paid viewing seats are usually available, so consider purchasing them if you want to watch in comfort.

◎Summary of Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Asamushi Onsen

Asamushi Onsen is a historic hot spring area about an hour from Aomori Airport. During the traditional Nebuta Festival, it draws visitors from all over the country.

From spring through autumn, when the weather is mild, early-morning walks listening to the sound of the waves are highly recommended. After the start of the fishing season, Asamushi Onsen is also popular as a place where you can enjoy both fishing and hot spring baths.
In summer, aside from the Nebuta Festival, there is also the Fireworks Festival, another major draw for tourists. You can even see fireflies in Asamushi Onsen at night, making for a magical evening stroll.

Throughout the changing seasons, Asamushi Onsen offers relaxation in its hot springs, while showcasing the bounty of both the sea of Mutsu Bay and the mountains of Aomori—perfect for food lovers. Why not participate in an event (or two) while savoring the local gourmet delights?