Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Saunas & Baths

Tamagawa Onsen

Semboku, Japan

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST SAUNAS & BATHS WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 53 2026
Tamagawa Onsen

A therapeutic hot spring inn in the mountains of Akita, with day-use baths, an inn section and a self-catering section. Its hydrochloric acid spring, around pH 1.1, stings the skin and feeds 100% and 50% source baths and steaming outdoor bedrock beds.

Highlights

  • 100% and 50% source baths
  • Outdoor bedrock bath on mats
  • Steaming nature research trail

Good to know

  • Overnight guests park at Shin-Tamagawa, shuttle back
  • Indoor bedrock bath needs reservation and payment

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