Brompton hill climb: Ubayu Hot Spring in Yamagata Prefecture

Last Sunday I climbed up toward the end of the mountain trail in another part of Azuma Mountain Range located over Northeast Japan to enjoy hot spring which has cured local people for 500 years.  The name of the hot spring is "Ubayu Onsen". Ubayu's Uba means a mountain witch and Yu means hot spring. 

The hill climb ride is supposed to be  8.45 km in distance and 527 meters to ascend.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/7516310950

Early in the morning I took a bullet train from Tokyo to Fukushima Station to change to a local railway running through mountain range between Fukushima Prefecture and Yamagata prefecture.

Local railway line starts at Fukushima station to go through a dozen of tunnels and bridges in the deep mountain range.

Finally arriving in Toge Station. The name "Toge" literary means "Mountain Pass" in Japanese. Very simple name because the station is located just on the Pass. The station was built in the age of steam for switch-backs to tackle one of Japan's toughest climbing railway routes; even after electrification for a while (now the yamagata Shinkansen and local trains run without switch-backs.)

Brompton and I started from Toge Station. The trail continues narrow and steep but I can enjoy such a view everywhere.

The trees provide shades all the way through Ubayu hot spring.

The slope is getting steeper grade in the last half way to the destination.

Still 2 kilo meters to go.

Experiencing extra steep slope of 22%.

Even a wagon vehicle struggles at one of the sharp bends with extreme slope.

Suddenly the valley of the hot spring appears in my sight. Famous Ubayu hot spring comes from that half-cup crater.

Upon arrival, I checked in at Ubayu Hot Spring Inn for bathing. It only costs 600 Japanese yen. (approx. 5 US dollars)

What fresh hot water it is!

The location is dynamic. It is surrounded by a trace of large scale volcanic eruption of 15,000 years ago. Volcano is still active. Hot water gushes out from the naked mountain surface. The hot spring is bluish white and smells like sulfur. 

Lying on the shallows of this hot spring pool and looking up a volcanic crater. It's nice and healing.

It was a great day in fall after hard hill climb ride with Brompton to be soaked and healed in the best "hidden bath" ever.

 

Brompton hill climb: Nuruyu Hot Spring in Fukushima Prefecture

 Last Sunday I climbed up toward the end of the mountain trail in Azuma Mountain Range located over Northeast Japan to enjoy hot spring which has cured local people for 300 years.

The name of the hot spring is "Nuruyu Onsen". Nuruyu means relatively low temperature water of about 30-40 degree Celsius. 

The hill climb ride is supposed to be 9.5 km in distance and 762 meters to ascend.

[data]

Distance 9.51 km

Time 1:18:43

Average Speed 7.2 km/h

Total Ascend 762 m

Equipment M6L-X 38T chainring

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/7472747300

An hour later, I reached Nuruyu Onsen Nikaido Inn. The historic buildings are registered tangible cultural property.

A lovely cat welcomed me and Brompton.

The hot spring is famous for curing. The spring directly comes from the earth beside the bath house. It is not at all oxidized, very fresh hot water. Japanese hot spring enthusiasts believe that fresh onsen maximizes efficacy to cure  illness, injury and fatigue.

Wow. Nuruyu of 31.8 degree Celsius cools my overheated legs and cures muscle pain.

On the way down, I looked over Mt. Azuma, beautifully sitting there with the September blue sky. It is one of the best rides after my return to Japan.

Why not to go to the beautiful Tohoku, Japan, with Brompton

Let's go to the beautiful Tohoku, Japan, with your Brompton. There are full of wonderful culture, beautiful nature and fantastic hot springs.

All of Tohoku has already recovered from the disaster. You can see beauty of Zao Ski Resort, a Lake Inawashiro, a modest factory of traditional red cow toys in Aizu, an atelier workshop of Mage-wappa lunch boxes in Akita, Nyuto Onsen hot springs and Sanriku Kaigan, all of where I frequently visited to be moved.


The following link shows you one of the best hot springs in Tohoku.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONSEN IN JAPAN | Tsuru no Yu 

Related Brompton Anywhere articles:
Secret springs hunting before summer is over in Hachimantai (vol.2)
Secret springs hunting before summer is over in Hachimantai
Hot spring experience after a volcanic mount trail ride
Go over the ridge again: Tsuchiyu Pass
Nyuto Onsen Hot Spring
Ubayu Hot Spring - An ultimate onsen

Hot spring experience after a volcanic mount trail ride

A day before yesterday Brompton and I went to Kurogane Onsen where the fresh hot spring is gushing out from the earth of Mount Adatara, an active volcano located in Fukushima Prefecture.

How to get there?

1. Take Tohoku Shinkansen (departing JR Tokyo Station at 6:04 am) to JR Koriyama Station
2. Change to a local train (Tohoku Line, north bound) then get off at Nihonmatsu Station
3. Take Bus (departing Nihonmatsu Station at 8:15 am) bound for "Okudake"
4. Get off the bus at "Okudake," the last stop
5. Unfold Brompton and enjoy a trail ride to Kurogane Lodge which is 5km away

［ride data］
Distance: 15.5 km (from Okudake bus stop to Kurogane Lodge 5 km, Kurogane Lodge to Dake Onsen 10.5 km)
Max. difference of an elevation: 810 m
Gained elevation: total ascending 415 m and descending 813 m

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zVh_vanqLQwc.kkSLnKhqDK7M&usp=sharing


Get on Shinkansen at Tokyo Station. It takes an hour to get to Koriyama Station then change to local train to Nihonmatsu Station. 

At Nihonmatsu Station, get on the bus bound for OKUDAKE.

You have arrived at OKUDAKE, the final stop. You start a ride here to Kurogane Hot Spring. 

A part of the forest has started to change its color for fall and winter.

A view from the mid of Mount Adatara was nice.

The trail is only permitted to hikers, bikes and a Land Cruiser with permission.

See. There is Kurogane Lodge located between the mountains. What a stunning view!

Brompton and I hurried to the lodge, thinking of good feeling and smell of the hot spring.

I dipped myself into this fresh and excellent hot spring gushing out from the nearby volcano.

I washed all the sweat out and enjoyed the view and cool wind from the window, drinking a bottle of cold mineral water.

The source of the hot spring is just nearby the lodge. Please note that the place was dangerous for poisonous gas and some volcanic activities.

Today's mission completed. I love this mission.

Secret springs hunting before summer is over in Hachimantai (vol.2)

Summer is short. Last week, Brompton and I visited the Toshichi Onsen hot spring in Hachimantai for a part of the secret hot spring hunting.

Then we headed to other hot springs in Akita prefecture, crossing a prefecture border lined on the ridge from Iwate prefecture side. There are a lot of famous and historical hot springs.

Brompton and I hurried toward the next secret hot spring, cutting the thick fog covering Hachimantai Skyline Road.

After 20 minutes of downhill, suddenly big white steamvapor got into my sight. That must be!

Then I went down from the main road to the Obuka Onsen hot spring through a narrow trail.

We arrived at Obuka Onsen!

What an amazing environ and hot spring!

I enjoyed Onsen for an hour, chatting with another visitor. It's time to go to the last one. Fukeno-yu hot spring is located at the other side and not far.

When I approached the hot spring, I found a red roof of the lodge and rising white steam.

What is it? This is Fukeno-yu Hot Spring, the oldest and formerly (hundreds year ago) largest spa around the area.

I checked in for spa before being soaked in one of the best open-air bathes in Japan's north east  region.

That must be one of the outside bathes!

Color of the hot water is grayish-blue. Beautiful.

 I fully enjoyed a hot spring experience. Why don't you visit Hachimantai before winter comes?