Asamushi Onsen

Asamushi Onsen
浅虫温泉
Asamushi Onsen from Aomori Bay
Location Aomori, Aomori, Japan
Coordinates 40°53′21″N 140°51′41″E / 40.88917°N 140.86139°E / 40.88917; 140.86139Coordinates: 40°53′21″N 140°51′41″E / 40.88917°N 140.86139°E / 40.88917; 140.86139
Elevation 0 meters
Type saline
Temperature 30-78 deg C

Asamushi Onsen (浅虫温泉) is the site of a hot spring, in Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.[1] It was developed as the downtown beside the onsen town and is sometimes known as "Atami in Tohoku" after the famous Atami Onsen in mid-Japan.

History

According to tradition, the hot spring was discovered by Ennin in 876, during the Heian period. It was first used for steaming (mushi) hemp (Cannabis or asa), leading to the name, though the kanji character used for the name differs.

When Hōnen visited in 1190, he popularized the custom of bathing in the hot spring. During the Edo period, a honjin for use by the daimyō of Hirosaki Domain during his sankin kōtai trips to Edo was developed at Asamushi. During the Meiji period, Asamushi is mentioned in the writings of the author Dazai Osamu.

Onsen town

Yunoshima from Asamushi Onsen

About 30 hotels and Japanese-style inns are in the town.

Attractions include the Asamushi Aquarium and the Wonderland Asamushi amusement park.

The Matsu no Yu communal onsen and Michi no Eki Asamushi Onsen are among the bathing facilities. There are hiking trails on the mountains behind the onsen town, with an overlook providing views of Mutsu Bay and the island of Yunoshima.[2]

Events

  • Yunoshima Katakuri Festival in April
  • Asamushi Nebuta Festival in mid-July, August 14
  • Fireworks on August 1

Transportation

The resort is served by Asamushi-Onsen Station on the Aoimori Railway Line, as well as by Michinoeki Asamushi-Onsen Station for Aomori city buses. Guests traveling by automobile can take Route 4; the trip from the center of Aomori takes about 30 minutes.

References

  1. ↑ Campbell, Allen; Nobel, David S (1993). Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Kodansha. p. 64. ISBN 406205938X.
  2. ↑ "浅虫温泉 高森山" [Asamushi Onsen Takamoriyama]. www.yamap.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 March 2018.
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