Naruko Onsen: Enjoy a variety of spring qualities! Access, sightseeing spots, and hotel information

• Table of Contents
• The charm of Naruko Onsen, one of the three famous hot springs in Oshu
• Recommended sightseeing spots around Naruko Onsen
• How to get to Naruko Onsen from Tokyo
• If you want to enjoy Naruko Onsen to the fullest, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

The charm of Naruko Onsen, one of the three famous hot springs in Oshu

Naruko Onsenkyo is a hot spring resort located in the northern part of Miyagi Prefecture, consisting of five hot spring areas: Naruko Onsen, Higashi Naruko Onsen, Kawado Onsen, Nakayamadaira Onsen, and Onikobe Onsen. Naruko Onsen is counted as one of the three famous hot springs in Oshu.

The hot spring town has a lively atmosphere, with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. Here we will introduce the charms of Naruko Onsen in detail.

Experience the history of Naruko Onsen

It is said that hot springs began to flow at Naruko Onsen after the eruption of Toriyagamori in 826. There is also a theory that the place name "Naruko" represents the roaring sound made when the hot springs gush forth, which suggests that there is an abundance of hot water.

Naruko Onsen has a very long history, and has even appeared in "The Pillow Book" and "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." We recommend enjoying the hot springs while touring the areas that appear in these works.

Heal your body with seven different spring qualities

Naruko Onsenkyo has seven of the ten new spring quality classifications in Japan. Hot spring quality is classified according to the types and amounts of chemicals contained in the hot spring, and is closely related to the smell, color, and texture of the hot spring.

It is rare nationwide to be able to enjoy so many different types of hot springs in the same area. Why not try visiting different hot springs and experience the different types of springs?

Enjoy great deals with the hot spring tour ticket

If you want to enjoy touring the hot springs at Naruko Onsen, take advantage of the "Hot Spring Tour Ticket" which allows you to bathe at a discount.

Hot Spring Tour Ticket Details

Price: 1,300 yen per ticket (6 stickers included)

Sales location: Tourist information center inside JR Naruko Onsen Station

How to use: ● The seven types of tickets can be used in all seven areas ● Hand over the required number of stickers at the facility front desk ● Can only be used for bathing (resting is not permitted)

Source: Explanation of Hot Spring Tour Ticket

Some of the facilities where you can use the Hot Spring Tour Ticket

Facility name Bathing time

Oedo Onsen Monogatari Masuya 14:00-18:00

Naruko Tourist Hotel 12:00-14:00

Naruko Hotel 11:00-15:00

Source: Explanation of Hot Spring Tour Ticket

Please note that bathing times and the number of stickers required may change.

Recommended sightseeing spots around Naruko Onsen

Naruko Onsen is a particularly lively hot spring town in the Naruko Onsen area. There are many restaurants and souvenir shops around the station, but if you walk a little further you can also enjoy the abundant nature.

Here we will introduce in detail the recommended tourist spots around Naruko Onsen.

Naruko Gorge: Spectacular views throughout the seasons

Naruko Gorge is a large canyon that reaches a depth of about 100m. You can enjoy the fresh greenery in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn. Naruko Gorge was designated as a historic site, place of scenic beauty and natural monument in 1932.

Address: 13-5 Hoshinuma, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6832

access

Car: About 10 minutes from Naruko Onsen town

●Train: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from JR Naruko Onsen Station

● Walking: Approximately 60 minutes from Naruko Onsen Station

From the observation deck next to the rest house, you can see the Ofukazawa Bridge spanning Naruko Gorge and the magnificent natural scenery.

"Jigokudani Promenade" where hot springs bubble up

On the Jigokudani Promenade, hot springs gush out from over a dozen places, creating a truly fantastical scene of rising steam. The sight of the hot springs gushing forth gives a sense of the power of nature.

Address: 16 Onikobe Fukiage, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6941

Access: Car: About 30 minutes from Naruko Onsen town

Although it is a little far from Naruko Onsen, it is close to Onikobe Onsen, one of the hot spring resorts in the Naruko Onsen area, so it might be a good idea to visit it while touring the hot springs.

Experience traditional culture at the Japan Kokeshi Museum

The Japan Kokeshi Museum is a facility where you can enjoy kokeshi exhibitions and painting experiences. There is also a kokeshi sales booth inside the museum where you can purchase traditional Naruko kokeshi dolls.

Address: 74-2 Urinomae, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6827

access

By car: About 5 minutes from Naruko Onsen Station

● Walking: Approximately 35 minutes from Naruko Onsen Station

Naruko Kokeshi dolls are a traditional craft that represents Naruko. Even today, craftsmen still handcraft them, and there are many Kokeshi doll shops around Naruko Onsen.

Taste the specialty of Naruko Onsen at Mochidokoro Fukase

Mochidokoro Fukase is famous as the original shop that serves chestnut dango. Chestnut dango is a dumpling filled with a whole candied chestnut and is eaten with plenty of mitarashi sauce.

Address: 24-2 Yumoto, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6823

Access: 2 minutes on foot from Naruko Onsen Station

There is an eat-in space inside the store where you can enjoy freshly made chestnut dumplings.

Souvenirs are one of the best parts of traveling: "A-la-Datena Roadside Station"

If you're looking to buy souvenirs, stop by "A-ra-Datena Roadside Station," which has a wide selection of local products.

Address: 4-1 Shimomiyamichishita, Iwadeyamaiketsuki, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6405

access

By car: Approximately 20 minutes from Naruko Onsen Station

●Train: Approximately 20 minutes from Naruko Onsen Station

You can purchase local sake such as "Narumi's Chestnut Dango," "Special Junmai Sake Moriizumi," and "Junmai Nama Genshu Shibottamanma."

All of Japan's Kokeshi Dolls Gather at the National Kokeshi Festival

Naruko Onsen, the birthplace of Naruko Kokeshi dolls, holds the National Kokeshi Festival every year. You can enjoy Kokeshi doll making demonstrations and painting experiences, and fully appreciate Japan's traditional crafts.

Organizer: Osaki City Naruko General Branch Office Regional Promotion Division

Naruko Onsen Tourism Association

Contact: TEL: 0229-82-211 (Osaki City Naruko General Branch Office Regional Promotion Division)

Why not visit this limited-time tourist spot?

How to get to Naruko Onsen from Tokyo

To get to Naruko Onsen from Tokyo, it is convenient to take a train or a car. Here we will explain how to get to Naruko Onsen from Tokyo.

By train

Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Furukawa Station, then take the Rikuuto Line to Naruko Onsen Station.

Please use the Yamabiko or Hayabusa Shinkansen.

[Route] Tokyo Station → Sendai Station → Furukawa Station → Naruko Onsen Station

[Time required] Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours

For detailed timetables, please check the official JR East website below.

By car

From the Metropolitan Expressway Circular Route, enter the Tohoku Expressway and drive for about 5 hours. Exit at Furukawa IC, enter National Route 108 and National Route 47 and head towards Naruko for about 30 minutes to arrive at Naruko Onsen.

If you want to enjoy Naruko Onsen to the fullest, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

Hotel WAMARE Onikobe is a rental inn with a modern Japanese atmosphere.

You can relax in a carefully designed space with a system kitchen, two baths, and a large balcony with a panoramic view of Onikobe.

It's about 30 minutes by car from Naruko Onsen, which we introduced this time, so it's a perfect location for hot spring hopping. Please feel free to use it when you visit Naruko Onsen.