8 Must-See Tourist Attractions Around Kuroishi Onsen! Explore the Hot Spring Resort Area Together

Kuroishi Onsen Resort is a collective term for several hot springs located in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, including Ochiai Onsen, Aoga Onsen, Chouju Onsen, Unto Onsen, and Itadome Onsen. In the area surrounding Kuroishi Onsen, you’ll find not only hot springs but also a wealth of tourist facilities such as historically significant temples and the Nakamachi Komise Street.

In summer, the region hosts the famous “Kuroishi Nebuta Festival,” while in autumn, visitors can enjoy vibrant autumn foliage, among many other seasonal attractions. As a result, numerous tourists come to explore Kuroishi Onsen along with its surrounding sightseeing spots. This article introduces eight tourist attractions in and around the Kuroishi Onsen area.

1. Nakamachi Komise (Komise) Street

One of the most popular attractions around Kuroishi Onsen is Nakamachi Komise Street. This street retains the original Edo-period townscape, with traditional architecture designed to protect people from the severe blizzards and summer sun typical of northern regions. Its nostalgic arcade-like appearance is rare in Japan, making it a must-visit spot for both Japanese and foreign tourists visiting Kuroishi Onsen.

Along Nakamachi Komise Street, you can find attractions such as sake breweries offering tastings and residences designated as Important Cultural Properties. In addition, during the summer, the Nebuta Festival (referred to as “Neputa” in Kuroishi) passes through this street, allowing you to fully enjoy an event unique to Kuroishi Onsen.

In the center of the shopping district is “Tsugaru Komise Station,” where live performances of the Tsugaru shamisen are held daily. Be sure to stop by when touring Kuroishi Onsen.

2. Takahashi House

When visiting Kuroishi Onsen, make sure to drop by the Takahashi House, located along Nakamachi Komise Street. Originally a commercial establishment primarily dealing in rice, the Takahashi House was built during the Horeki era (1751–1763) and is a designated Important Cultural Property with a history of over 270 years. Today, it has been converted into a café, allowing visitors to enjoy tea while casually touring this valuable piece of architecture.

Because the Kuroishi Onsen area has not suffered significant damage from major earthquakes or air raids, the Takahashi House has been beautifully preserved. Thanks to the high level of craftsmanship at the time of its construction, you have the rare opportunity to view an original residence with minimal restoration.

3. Tsugaru Traditional Craft Museum

The “Tsugaru Traditional Craft Museum” is a comprehensive tourist facility in Hakkoda that encapsulates the traditional crafts of the Tsugaru region. The large kokeshi doll at the entrance is particularly striking. Inside, you can browse over 1,800 items including kokeshi lanterns, Tsugaru lacquerware, as well as various souvenirs and tourist goods.

There is also a restaurant where you can savor local Hakkoda B-class cuisine such as “Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba,” and you can relax in a natural hot spring foot bath with flowing source water. In the workshop inside the facility, you can participate in experiences such as sharpening Tsugaru lacquer chopsticks or painting Tsugaru kokeshi. When visited during the lantern light-up at night or when there is snowfall, the atmosphere becomes truly magical.

4. Autumn Foliage at Nakano Momiji-yama

Nakano Momiji-yama is one of the most renowned spots for autumn foliage in the Kuroishi Onsen area. In 1803, Tsugaru Yasuchika, the lord of the Hirosaki Domain, sent about 100 varieties of maple saplings from Kyoto, and since then, the area has been celebrated as a prime spot for viewing maples. Nestled within the forest are Nakano Shrine and the ruins of Fudotate Castle, and the nearby stream and waterfall provide a beautiful contrast with the red-dyed maples.

During the maple viewing season, the area is also illuminated at night using LED lights. The breathtaking scenery is one of the must-see attractions in the Kuroishi Onsen area.

5. Roadside Station “Niji no Umi (Rainbow Lake)”

“Roadside Station Niji no Umi,” also known as “Rainbow Lake Park,” is a roadside station built near the Aseshi Ishikawa Dam—one of the largest dams in the Tohoku region—located between Hirosaki City and Lake Towada. The dam lake is also known as “Rainbow Lake.”
Rainbow Lake Park features eye-catching attractions such as the “Jumbo Roller Slide of the Unto Kokeshi,” a large playground facility, as well as a putt-putt golf course for adults, making it a perfect spot for families to relax. You can also create lasting memories of nature through day camping and barbecues.

At Rainbow Lake Rest House and the Yatai Village, you can sample local B-class cuisine from Kuroishi such as Tsuyu Yakisoba. The barbecue area is available for both hands-free enjoyment or for those who prefer to bring their own supplies. Meanwhile, the “Shakuyaku-en” located on the premises features around 700 peonies across 30 varieties, all of which burst into bloom around June. Rainbow Lake Park offers natural sightseeing experiences throughout the year—from the peony garden in early spring to the expansive dam lake in summer, and autumn foliage in the fall.

6. Lamp Inn Aoga Onsen

Lamp Inn Aoga Onsen is a charming traditional inn nestled in the mountains of Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture. True to its name, the inn is adorned with beautifully flickering lamps throughout its premises, creating an enchanting atmosphere where you can fully savor the Kuroishi Onsen Resort experience.

At Aoga Onsen, live Tsugaru shamisen performances are held every Friday, making a Friday stay highly recommended to enjoy the sounds of this traditional Aomori instrument along with delicious meals. (Note: Tsugaru shamisen performances are not held during the winter season.) The main attractions at this inn are its four hot spring baths: the main indoor bath, Kenroku-no-yu, an open-air bath, and Takimi-no-yu. The view from the main indoor bath is especially a point of pride for Aoga Onsen, offering a magnificent vista.

Day-use admission is available for 600 yen plus meal fees, from 10:00 to 15:00. There are also plans available with meals, allowing you to enjoy delightful cuisine featuring fish and mountain vegetables.

*Information as of May 2024.

7. Ochiai Onsen “Kanzen no Shou” (Hana Zen no Shou)

“Kanzen no Shou” is a purely Japanese-style inn with tatami mat flooring, located in the Ochiai Onsen area. The interior of the inn, including the guest rooms and the large public bath, exudes a sense of cleanliness and refinement. The baths are spacious and feature plenty of negative ions, thanks to the abundant use of Towada stone and Aomori cypress, with a simple, colorless transparent spring that is excellent for moisturizing the skin. In addition, guests can choose from a selection of yukata, offering many appealing services for women.

There are no slippers provided; instead, each guest receives a pair of traditional tabi, which is a characteristic of tatami-floored inns. In the dining area with an irori (hearth), you can leisurely enjoy meals while gazing at a garden adorned with seasonal colors. The freshly prepared mountain and sea delicacies grilled over charcoal, as well as grilled rice balls, offer an exquisite dining experience that is both homely and luxurious. With tatami flooring throughout the corridors and even on the elevator, the inn is designed to accommodate elderly guests comfortably. This hot spring inn is highly recommended for those traveling with parents on a trip to Aomori.

8. Iizuka Ryokan

Built during the Taisho era, Iizuka Ryokan was originally a hot spring healing inn located at Unto Onsen, one of the hot spring areas within the Ishikuro Onsen Resort. This inn, with its retro exterior, offers a natural hot spring experience in a nostalgic setting.

When Iizuka Ryokan was first established, it was primarily a self-catering healing inn without private baths, so guests normally used a communal bath. Although it does not provide the modern conveniences found in contemporary hotels, it remains a well-maintained, traditional inn full of historical charm. Just a minute’s walk away is the public bath “Tsuruno Meiyu,” so if you stay at Iizuka Ryokan in the Kuroishi Onsen area, be sure to take advantage of it.

◎ Summary of Tourist Attractions Around Kuroishi Onsen

To escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and fully relax, there is nothing quite like immersing yourself in the extraordinary atmosphere of Kuroishi Onsen. The tourist attractions around Kuroishi Onsen allow you to experience the Edo-period townscape, traditional facades, and overall ambiance that evoke a sense of otherworldliness. Kuroishi Onsen in Aomori is the perfect destination for a leisurely holiday. When you visit Kuroishi Onsen, be sure to also explore the surrounding tourist spots for an even richer experience!

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8 Must-See Tourist Attractions Around Kuroishi Onsen! Explore the Hot Spring Resort Area Together