Mt. Nyuto

Mt. Nyuto (乳頭山, 1,478 m), on the border of Senboku in Akita and Shizukuishi in Iwate, is a peak in Towada-Hachimantai National Park and one of the 300 Famous Japanese Mountains.
From the Akita side its rounded shape resembles a breast, hence “Nyuto-yama” (breast-tip mountain); from the Iwate side its pointed form looks like a courtier’s cap, so it is called “Mt. Eboshi”. Below the summit the Tashiro-daira plateau spreads out with marsh and tarns, and the mountain pairs alpine flowers and autumn colours with the famous Nyuto Onsen-kyo hot springs. The usual route climbs from the Kuroyu Onsen in the Nyuto Onsen-kyo via the Ipponmatsu Onsen-ato; there are also trails from the Magoroku Onsen and Kaniba Onsen. By public transport you reach the Nyuto Onsen-kyo from JR Tazawako Station by bus and walk from there.

The base is the Nyuto Onsen-kyo (about 800 m). It is about 2 hours 30 minutes from the Kuroyu Onsen via the Ipponmatsu Onsen-ato and the Tashiro-daira junction to the summit of Mt. Nyuto, and about 3 hours from the Kaniba Onsen joining the Magoroku route. A loop from the Magoroku Onsen via Kuroyu and the Ipponmatsu Onsen-ato to the summit and back via the Tashiro-daira-sanso takes about 5 hours 10 minutes.
On the Tashiro-daira plateau north of the summit is the unstaffed Tashiro-daira-sanso (emergency shelter, open all year, with a toilet), useful for shelter in bad weather or for a rest. After the descent you can enjoy the Nyuto Onsen-kyo (seven baths: Kuroyu, Magoroku, Kaniba, Okama, Taenoyu, Tsuru-no-yu and Kyukamura). The best season is June to August for alpine flowers and the marsh and late September to early October for the autumn colours. The ground is muddy near the Ipponmatsu Onsen-ato (a sulphur hot-spring area) and the boardwalks of Tashiro-daira are slippery after rain. Take care of route-finding and cold in the snow season (until June) and late autumn. You can also climb from the Kuzakkeda and Takinoue onsen on the Iwate side.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailhead (Nyuto Onsen-kyo)

1. [Outbound] Tazawako Station → Nyuto Onsen-kyo
2. [Return] Nyuto Onsen-kyo → Tazawako Station

1. [Outbound] Tazawako Station → Nyuto Onsen-kyo

From Tazawako Station (Akita Shinkansen / Tazawako Line), take the Ugo Kotsu “Nyuto Line” bus to the Nyuto Onsen-kyo (about 47 minutes, ¥800). For the Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo get off at “Kyukamura-mae”; for the Kuroyu Onsen, get off near the terminus at “Nyuto Onsen”. The Nyuto Line runs roughly once an hour, all year round. The Kuroyu Onsen is about a 15-minute walk from the “Nyuto Onsen” stop.

Bus timetable ①: Tazawako Station → Nyuto Onsen (Ugo Kotsu Nyuto Line, outbound)

Trailhead: the Kuroyu, Magoroku or Kaniba onsen. By car: use the car park on Pref. Route 194 before the Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo, or the car parks of the individual hot springs.

Reference: [Ugo Kotsu route-bus timetable]

2. [Return] Nyuto Onsen-kyo → Tazawako Station

After descending, take the Ugo Kotsu “Nyuto Line” bus from the Nyuto Onsen stop back to Tazawako Station (about 48 minutes, ¥800). The Nyuto-Onsen-to-Tazawako-Station service runs from a first bus at 8:00 to a last bus at 18:15. If you stop for a bath after the descent, allow plenty of time for the last bus.

Bus timetable ②: Nyuto Onsen → Tazawako Station (Ugo Kotsu Nyuto Line, return)

Reference: [Ugo Kotsu route-bus timetable]

Route and safety notes

Main routes: there are three trails from the Nyuto Onsen-kyo on the Akita side. Kuroyu route = Kuroyu Onsen → Ipponmatsu Onsen-ato → Tashiro-daira junction → Mt. Nyuto (about 2 h 30 min). Magoroku route = Magoroku Onsen → Tashiro-tai → Mt. Nyuto. Kaniba route = Kaniba Onsen → joins the Magoroku route → Mt. Nyuto (about 3 hours). A loop from the Magoroku Onsen via Kuroyu and the Ipponmatsu Onsen-ato to the summit and back via the Tashiro-daira-sanso takes about 5 hours 10 minutes. There is also a route from the Kuzakkeda and Takinoue onsen on the Iwate side via Shiranuma (about 4 hours).

Tashiro-daira-sanso: on the Tashiro-daira plateau north of the summit is the unstaffed Tashiro-daira-sanso (emergency shelter, open all year, with a toilet), useful for shelter in bad weather or a rest. You need overnight gear, and it should not be used routinely except in emergencies.

Hot springs and marsh: the Nyuto Onsen-kyo at the trailhead is a famous group of seven baths (Kuroyu, Magoroku, Kaniba, Okama, Taenoyu, Tsuru-no-yu and Kyukamura), perfect for a soak after the descent. Tashiro-daira has marsh and tarns with boardwalks, which are slippery after rain; the ground is muddy near the Ipponmatsu Onsen-ato, a sulphur hot-spring area.

Weather and gear: at 1,478 m but in a heavy-snow region on the Sea of Japan side, the ridge is windy and the weather changeable. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a map and compass (GPS) and a headlamp. Take care of route-finding and cold in the snow season (until June) and late autumn. The season is June to October.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). The Akita and Iwate Prefectural Police cover this border range. Check the latest trail conditions with the inns of the Nyuto Onsen-kyo or Senboku city tourism before setting out.

Photo by Koda6029 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0