Akigawa Valley Seoto-no-Yu

In short

Akigawa Valley Seoto-no-Yu is a hot spring facility nestled in the nature of Akigawa Valley. Welling up from 1,500 meters underground, the spring water has an extremely high alkalinity with a pH of 10.01 and is known as water for beautiful skin. It has been awarded first place nationwide three times in the Beautiful Skin category of the Onsen General Election. In addition to day-use bathing, visitors can enjoy meals and overnight stays in cottages.

• ​The Four Seasons Through the Window​​: Through the large windows of the indoor bath, you can gaze at fresh greenery, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes.
• ​Open-Air Bath Overlooking the Valley​​: The clear stream and lush trees of Akigawa Valley spread out right before your eyes.
• ​Walking Trail from the Suspension Bridge​​: You can visit by walking along a woodland path after crossing Ishibune Bridge from the Jurigi bus stop.

History and Highlights

Akigawa Valley Seoto-no-Yu is a hot spring facility located in Otsu, Akiruno City. Situated in a location that looks down over the vast nature of the national park, it offers day-use bathing as well as dining, shopping, and overnight stays in cottages.

Its hot spring water springs from 1,500 meters underground. The source is named Jurigi Nagatake Onsen, and the spring type is alkaline simple hot spring. It is characterized by an extremely high alkalinity with a pH of 10.01. The water has a slick, smooth feel and is known as water for beautiful skin. In the Beautiful Skin category of the Onsen General Election, it won first place nationwide consecutively in 2019 and 2020. It was also selected for first place in 2022, marking its third time at the top.

The indoor bath uses a free-flowing hot spring system (kakenagashi). Outside its large windows, fresh green foliage unfolds in spring, deep greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy vistas in winter. The open-air bath is surrounded by rocks, allowing you to view the clear stream and trees of Akigawa Valley right before you. Although the saunas are relatively small, unusually for a hot spring facility, they are located outdoors in both the men's and women's bathing areas.

Inside the facility is the restaurant "Ishibune Dining," where visitors can view the deep green of summer and the autumn foliage through large windows. The local market "Asatsuyu" features morning-picked vegetables delivered fresh every morning from nearby farmers, along with specialty products from the sister city of Kurihara in Miyagi Prefecture.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Feel the Texture of the Water​​: The aroma of the hot spring and its slick, soft feel on the skin are the signature characteristics of this hot spring. Its pH value of 10.01 is considered one of the highest in Japan.
• ​View the Valley from the Open-Air Bath​​: From the open-air bath, the clear waters and trees of Akigawa Valley can be seen right in front of you. You can take your time soaking in the bath under blue skies and white clouds on sunny days, or amidst an atmospheric ambiance on rainy or snowy days.
• ​Visit During the Autumn Leaves Season​​: Within Akigawa Valley, the nearby Jurigi area is magnificent for its fall foliage. During the autumn foliage season, you can enjoy the colorful mountains while soaking in the hot spring.

Tips for Exploring

Taking a bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, the terminal of the JR Itsukaichi Line, allows you to get off at the "Seoto-no-Yu" bus stop located right on the premises. You can also get off at the Jurigi bus stop and walk. Cross the road, proceed toward Hinohara Village, cross Ishibune Bridge spanning the Aki River, and walk along the woodland trail to reach the facility in about 8 minutes. There is also a footbath on the grounds. About 50 meters away from the hot spring building are cottages for overnight stays, where at night you can gaze at a starry sky so clear it is hard to believe you are in Tokyo.