5 Recommended Tourist Spots Around Akayu Onsen, the Town of Hot Springs and Wine!

If you love hot springs but also want to enjoy other things, I highly recommend Akayu Onsen in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. The hot spring town is home to historic ryokan (traditional inns), as well as affordable public baths loved by locals and free foot bath spots scattered throughout. In this article, I will introduce five recommended tourist spots around Akayu Onsen.

About Akayu Onsen

Akayu Onsen, located in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a hot spring with a history of over 900 years, said to have been discovered in 1093 by Yoshitsuna, the younger brother of Minamoto no Yoriie.

The spring's composition includes sodium, calcium, and chloride, and is said to be effective for treating cuts. The name "Akayu" (meaning "red hot water") originates from the story that the water turned red from the blood of soldiers' wounds.

1. Akayu Onsen Public Baths

If you want to enjoy a day trip to a hot spring at an affordable price, the public baths are highly recommended. The public baths in Akayu Onsen are famous for being extremely cheap. The catchphrase "After sweating, go to the hot spring bath cheaper than a can of juice" shows how closely the locals are connected to the hot springs. There are four public baths in Akayu Onsen.

"Akayu Motoyu" is a public bath that was renovated in 2008 by merging "Oyu" and "Tamba-yu." Here, you can enjoy two types of hot springs: one hot and one warm. The lobby is equipped with a TV and chairs, allowing visitors to relax comfortably.

"Akayu Onsen Yukotto," which took over "Towa-no-Yu" and "Azuma-yu," is a new public bath with a popular outdoor bath. It uses universal design with barrier-free bathrooms. The lounge and rental rooms allow visitors to relax after a bath, and a wine and juice server from Nanyo is available, allowing you to enjoy a glass at your leisure.

2. Sudo Winery

In Nanyo City, known as the "Birthplace of Grapes" in Yamagata Prefecture, you can enjoy grape picking from August to October. A famous spot in Akayu Onsen, "Shikin-en," is a private vineyard operated by Sudo Winery. They grow wine grapes and also open it as a tourist farm.

Thanks to the excellent sunlight, well-drained slopes, and a climate with a significant temperature difference between day and night, Shikin-en produces high-quality grapes. Varieties such as Neo Muscat, Alexandria, and Steuben are very popular, and some regular customers even come from far away to buy them.

For those who want to enjoy Shikin-en even more, you can try making wine. The wine-making process at Sudo Winery is done entirely by hand. After aging your homemade wine in the cellar, you can label it with an original design, and it will be delivered to your home around Christmas.

The vineyard is open only in the summer, but the wine-making experience is available year-round, so be sure to drop by when visiting Akayu Onsen. Note that the experience and tours are reservation-only.

3. Uesugi no Miyu Gotenmori

There are various accommodations in Akayu Onsen, but "Uesugi no Miyu Gotenmori" is a prestigious inn with a history as the Uesugi family's villa. It is so famous among Uesugi fans that it is said no one who knows Akayu Onsen's tourist spots would be unaware of it.

The secret to its popularity lies in its unique facilities. The "Hanami no Ashiyu" (flower-viewing foot bath) where you can soak your feet while gazing at seasonal flowers, the "Rooftop Café" offering a view of Eboshiyama, and the "Ryūketsudō" cave, which was once used as a refrigerator, are just a few of the many attractions. The "Ryūketsudō" is dedicated to the dragon god and is also known as a power spot.

Of course, you can't miss the hot springs when visiting Akayu Onsen. The inn has 12 baths, and you can enjoy day-use hot springs from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Be sure to experience special hot springs that can only be found here, such as the "Ryūjin no Yu," Japan's largest stone bath, and the "Aomori Hiba Maruta Bath" made from 450-year-old cypress.

4. Nanyo Sky Park

Akayu Onsen offers more than just hot springs. Surrounded by rich nature, Nanyo City allows you to enjoy a paragliding flight experience. There is a "Tandem Flight Experience" where you fly together with an instructor, making it a great choice for beginners.

From the summit of "Jūbuichiyama," you can take off at a height difference of 300 meters! The vast blue sky and the ground far below might make you nervous at first, but as you get used to it, many find themselves captivated by the sense of freedom. You can also opt for an aerial photo, making it a great souvenir for your trip.

Just before Nanyo Sky Park, there is a scenic spot called "Jūbuichiyama Observatory." From this spot, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nanyo City, where Akayu Onsen is located, all the way to the neighboring Yonezawa City, famous for its beef, while sitting on a bench. The night view here is particularly worth seeing. Whether you're enjoying the activity or spending a romantic moment while watching the night view, Nanyo Sky Park offers an unforgettable experience.

5. Taiyo Pan Direct Sales Store

The local gourmet of Akayu Onsen, "Beta Choco," has been a beloved soul food of Yamagata Prefecture for over 50 years since its creation in 1964. The "Beta Choco" is sold by the long-established bakery "Taiyo Pan," which was founded in 1948. It is located about 7 minutes by car from Akayu Onsen Station, with its headquarters and factory situated in Takahata Town.

This local bread features a buttercream-filled "koppe pan" (Japanese sandwich bread), generously topped with chocolate. In addition to the classic milk chocolate, there are about 15 different flavors such as matcha, banana, blue Hawaii, and cherry. Its colorful and impactful visual has become increasingly popular on social media.

Other tempting products include "Ebi Katsu," a coppe pan filled with a whole shrimp cutlet, "Genmaikko," made from brown rice, and "Wagokoro," which incorporates high-quality chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and brown sugar. There are also limited edition breads available only at the factory direct sales store, so be sure to grab some. It’s perfect as a souvenir from Akayu Onsen!

◎ Summary of Recommended Tourist Spots Around Akayu Onsen

Akayu Onsen offers not only hot spring facilities but also abundant natural beauty, exciting activities, and delicious local gourmet foods. You can choose to relax in the hot springs or enjoy physical activities like grape picking or paragliding. The variety of options makes it a charming place to visit. When you visit Akayu Onsen, use this article as a guide to enjoy hot spring hopping and various experiences!

Search

Customer Support

5 Recommended Tourist Spots Around Akayu Onsen, the Town of Hot Springs and Wine!