Timestamps:
0:24-4:29: Day 7 (Akita)
4:29-8:48: Day 8 (Akita → Aomori)
From days 7 to 8 of our Tokyo to Hokkaido road trip, we stayed at the renowned Shin Tamagawa Onsen hotel located in Akita Prefecture. Shin Tamagawa and Tamagawa Onsen produce the most acidic onsen water in Japan, at a pH level of 1.2, and 9,000 liters of water gush from its fountainhead each minute! Due to the healing properties of the water and rare geological formations, to some capacity, the onsen mimics a rehabilitation center for those with health problems. Along with on-site nurses, an emphasis on healthy food, as well as the rich health benefits that come from soaking in the onsen water and experiencing bedrock bathing, I was very lucky to have had the chance to experience such a unique onsen hotel.
The two days that we stayed at the hotel, the kids and myself toured the volcanic rock formations, which was one of the main attractions. It was cool to see the rock formations and sulfur spouts, as well as the mountains that secluded the entire area. I also got to experience bedrock bathing, an intensive heat therapy that essentially detoxes your body, and promotes health and well-being in various aspects.
On our last day at the hotel, we toured the mountains once again, used the onsen for the last time, then made our way further north until we reached the northernmost prefecture of Japan: Aomori. Best known for its sprawling nature, quality apple produce and for having one of the highest snowfall averages in the world at 26 feet, Aomori was where we would board a ferry to get to Hakodate, the southernmost port city in Hokkaido, and the next leg of our journey.
On board, we enjoyed the luxury of solitude and toured the facilities. There was a small entertainment room, a mini gift shop onboard, as well as several open plan rooms that would’ve probably been used by large groups traveling together or families. The ride was about three and a half hours, but after a cumulative week of traveling, we finally arrived in Hokkaido, our trip’s main destination! After snagging a quick dinner, we settled into the RV park for the night.
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More info about the onsen hotel and its facilities:
https://www.shintamagawa.jp/en/about/
Music (in order):
“Open Ended” — Keston Wright: https://artlist.io/song/15390/open-ended
“Rainbow City” — Aves: https://artlist.io/song/75408/rainbow-city
“Lullabye” — Phury: https://artlist.io/song/51018/lullabye
“Walk” — Phury: https://artlist.io/song/79680/walk
“Evenings” — GlobalDub: https://soundcloud.com/globuldub/evenings
“Early Morning” — Phury: https://artlist.io/song/51020/early-morning