Iwate · Sukawa Onsen, Mt Kurikoma
Sukawa Kōgen Onsen – Dainichi-yu open-air bath
須川高原温泉 大露天風呂「大日湯」
One of Tōhoku's highest hot springs, at 1,126 m on the northern slopes of Mt Kurikoma. Some 6,000 litres a minute flow like a stream; the strongly acidic alum-vitriol water (pH around 2) carries white mineral flakes and tingles on the skin. The famous big open-air Dainichi-yu is an open, rock-backed pool; day use 6:00–21:00 (until 20:00 on Wednesdays), ¥900. The indoor baths and the 'oiran' steam bath run 9:00–16:00. Because of the altitude, the road and the onsen close in winter (early November to early May). About 95 minutes by bus from Ichinoseki Station to the Sukawa Onsen terminus; it is also the Kurikoma trailhead, busiest in autumn colour season (late Sept–early Oct).
- Price (adult)
- ¥900
- Hours
- 06:00–21:00 (open-air) / 09:00–16:00 (indoor)
- Closed
- Closed early Nov–early May; Wed until 20:00
- Access
- About 95 min by Iwate Kenkō bus (Sukawa Onsen line, seasonal) from JR Ichinoseki Station to the Sukawa Onsen terminus; 70 min by car from Ichinoseki IC
- Water type
- Acidic spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0191-23-9337
- Official site
- http://www.sukawaonsen.jp ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Sukawa Onsen, Mt Kurikoma. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- 1,126 m up; 6,000 L/min of strongly acidic water
- Big rock-backed open-air bath, ¥900
- Closed Nov to early May
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- Strongly acidic water — rinse off afterwards, avoid long soaks, and remove silver jewellery.
- Ryokan day-use hours are limited and may be suspended in peak season — phone the same morning.
- Open seasonally only — check the official site for operating dates before you go.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Price
Who with
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 ゆる〜と（露天6–21時 水曜20時・大人900円）／一関市観光サイト（内湯9–16時・冬季休業11月上旬〜5月上旬）
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Osawa Onsen Jisuibu Tojiya
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Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan
A wooden ryokan founded in 1841 on the Toyosawa River at the far end of the Hanamaki onsen villages. Its signature is 'Hakuen-no-yu', a self-welling rock pool about 1.25 m deep that you stand in — billed as Japan's deepest rock bath. Five springs feed four bathhouses, all 100% free-flowing. Day use ¥800, 10:00–21:00. Hakuen-no-yu is mixed bathing with women-only hours. Free shuttle from Hanamaki Station by reservation.
Oshuku Onsen Hotel Uguisu
Fifty minutes by bus from Morioka, a family-run hotel in Oshuku Onsen, a 450-year-old spa where legend says a bush warbler healed its wounds. The area is rich in hot water, and the clear alkaline spring flows freely into the indoor and open-air baths — day use just ¥600, 11:00–19:00, half price on the 26th of each month. Easy to add after Koiwai Farm, Shizukuishi ski slopes or Morioka sightseeing.