Motoyu Sarukura Onsen
元湯 猿倉温泉もとゆ さるくらおんせん
Day Use
YesClosed in winter (around November to late April). In 2026, closed all year; day-use bathing available on Saturdays and Sundays in May only.
Adults ¥700, children (elementary and under) ¥300. Weekends and holidays only (9:00–15:00, last entry 14:30). Cash only.
Bathing & Water
Uses natural hot spring water
Open-air outdoor bath
Enclosed indoor bathing area
Sauna room of any kind
A distinct paid private sauna add-on ('Sarukura Sauna') offered to lodging guests, separate from the ganbanyoku (hot-stone room) in the main bathhouse. Its own site (sarukurasauna.com) describes it as a self-service-loyly Finnish-style sauna annexed to the inn, and independently confirms it too is suspended for FY2026.
Cold water plunge bath, typically used after sauna
Bathing Arrangements
Private bath available for day-use visitors or hotel guests to reserve
Cottages with attached private outdoor baths available for lodging guests.
Private onsen bath in guest rooms, for overnight guests only
The '離れ' cottage-type rooms each have their own private open-air bath for lodging guests.
Shared bathing area for all genders
Policies & Services
Welcomes children and families
Restaurant or dining open to visitors (not just hotel meal plans)
Shower, wash stations, soap and shampoo provided
Towels available to rent or borrow
On-site or nearby parking available
Highlights
Ganbanyoku
Lukewarm BathPrograms
About
A lone ryokan deep in the Aomori mountains, open only from spring through autumn. The bathhouse has an indoor tub and two open-air rotenburo (露天風呂), plus a cold bath and a steam room (ganbanyoku, 岩盤浴). The sulfur water is notably gentle, with just a faint scent, making it approachable even for those who usually find sulfur springs too strong. The indoor bath carries the full character of the spring; the outdoor baths are milder. Washing is done the old way, ladling water from a basin rather than using taps. The inn is a member of Nihon Hito wo Mamoru Kai (日本秘湯を守る会), the association of remote hot spring inns.
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Last updated July 22, 2026