Onsen · Tohoku

Naruko Onsen

Osaki, Miyagi♨ Sulfur springs, green vitriol springs, salt springs, sulfate springs, bicarbonate of soda springs, acidic springs and others (varies by source)

Overview

The central hot spring town of Naruko Onsenkyo, counted among the Three Famous Hot Springs of Oshu. Each inn has its own prized source, and you can also enjoy hopping between public baths. About 1 hour from Sendai by train.

Naruko Onsenkyo, made up of five hot spring areas (Naruko, Higashi-Naruko, Kawatabi, Nakayamadaira and Onikobe), has seven of the ten spring types. The town’s public bath, Taki no Yu, is a traditional wooden bathhouse that you can enter for ¥300. Autumn is a popular time to visit, combined with the autumn leaves of Naruko Gorge.

Location: Osaki, Miyagi
Best time to visit: The autumn leaves at Naruko Gorge usually peak from mid-October to mid-November
Official website: https://www.naruko.gr.jp/

Nearby area

Ginzan Onsen & ObanazawaWeather and what to wear in Ginzan Onsen & Obanazawa →

Tickets & tours you can book in advancePR

PRKlookNaruko Gorge Autumn Leaves and Ginzan Onsen Day Bus Tour (from Sendai)Departs from and returns to Sendai. Visit Naruko Gorge in autumn and stroll around Ginzan Onsen in one dayView on Klook

Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

Public baths, day-use spas and foot baths open to non-staying visitors.

Public bath

Taki no Yu

Price: Adults ¥300, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 7:30–21:00 (last admission 20:30)
Note: A small, traditional bathhouse; when crowded, you may be asked to keep your bath short. Buy a bathing ticket from the machine at the entrance
Official site: https://www.city.osaki.miyagi.jp/kanko/atatamaru/1/5543.html

Public bath

Hare Onsen (Higashi-Naruko Onsen)

Price: Adults ¥650, children ¥350 (as of October 2026)
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 9:00–17:00, Friday–Sunday and holidays 9:00–19:00
Closed: Thursdays
Note: A public bath in Higashi-Naruko Onsen, part of Naruko Onsenkyo
Official site: https://www.naruko.gr.jp/%E5%85%B1%E5%90%8C%E6%B5%B4%E5%A0%B4/

Public bath

Kawatabi Onsen Public Bath

Price: Adults ¥300, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (from 13:30 on Mondays and Fridays)
Note: A public bath in Kawatabi Onsen, part of Naruko Onsenkyo
Official site: https://www.naruko.gr.jp/%E5%85%B1%E5%90%8C%E6%B5%B4%E5%A0%B4/

Prices and hours are as of the date shown and may change, with occasional closures. Check each facility’s official website before you go.

🖋 If you have tattoos

Varies by facility, so please check with each one. Some facilities allow bathing if tattoos are covered with cover stickers

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Sulfur springs, green vitriol springs, salt springs, sulfate springs, bicarbonate of soda springs, acidic springs and others (varies by source)

According to the tourism association, indications listed for the various spring types include poor circulation, recovery from fatigue and stress-related symptoms

Etiquette

Bathing etiquette

✓Rinse yourself with hot water (kakeyu) and wash your body before getting into the bath
✓Do not put your towel in the bath water
✓Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water
✓Do not take photos in the bathing area

Sights

Nearby sights

Naruko Gorge

A gorge about 100m deep. The autumn leaves usually peak from mid-October to mid-November. About 10 minutes by taxi from the station

Japan Kokeshi Museum

Displays about 5,000 traditional kokeshi dolls. Doll painting experiences are also available. Closed January–March

Tips

Good to know

!Waseda Sajikiyu has been closed for the time being since September 2026
!Route 47 tends to get congested in the autumn leaves season, so the train is convenient
!Bathing admission ends 30 minutes before closing

Access

Nearest station / bus stop: Naruko-Onsen Station (JR Rikuu East Line)
From major cities and airports: Sendai: Tohoku Shinkansen to Furukawa Station, then transfer to the JR Rikuu East Line (About 60 minutes (excluding transfer time))
Tokyo: Tohoku Shinkansen to Furukawa Station, then transfer to the JR Rikuu East Line (About 180 minutes (excluding transfer time))
Sendai: Highway bus (Miyako Bus Sendai-Naruko Line) (About 1 hour 30 minutes)

Open in Google Maps ↗

Getting There

Getting there from major cities

Tokyo → Sendai

Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 30 min (example timetable: Hayabusa 5)

🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus

Travel Passes

Travel passes for getting there

🚄 JR

Japan Rail Pass

Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed

From ¥50,000

🚄 JR

JR EAST PASS

Tohoku ・ 5 or 10 consecutive days from the first day of use

From ¥35,000

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Naruko OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Naruko Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Onsen

Onsen towns in Tohoku

♨ Onsen

Ginzan Onsen

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♨ Day use Adults ¥500, elementary school students and younger ¥200 (as of October 2026)

♨ Onsen

Nyuto Onsenkyo

Tohoku ・ Semboku, Akita

♨ Day use Adults ¥700, children ¥300 (as of October 2026)

Private baths

♨ Onsen

Zao Onsen

Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Yamagata

♨ Day use Adults ¥300, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)

♨ Onsen

Aizu Higashiyama Onsen

Tohoku ・ Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima

♨ Day use Adults: weekdays ¥1,000, weekends and holidays ¥1,100, peak days ¥1,650; elementary school students ¥500–¥700 (as of October 2026)

Private baths

See all onsen towns →

Prices, hours, tattoo policies and spring types are based on official facility, municipal and tourism association information. They can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

Naruko Onsen

Overview