Inside Japan's Most Beautiful Hot Spring 🇯🇵 Akita Winter Trip | Feat.@sharlainjapan

Come up to Akita in winter and try the sauna experience at Lake Tazawa. While the lake is too cold for a plunge, you can dive headfirst into a pile of snow after getting super hot in the tented sauna. It's a blast of heat, reaching 75°C inside, with a window overlooking the snowy plains. The snow plunge is incredibly painful at first, taking the breath out of your lungs, but then it's surprisingly refreshing and makes you feel good. It's a unique hot-cold experience that's really good for you, even if it burns your skin a little.

Stay overnight in a meticulously renovated Kura storehouse in the historic samurai town of Kakunodate. These thick-walled buildings, once used to store valuables, have been transformed into spectacular accommodation. The entrance features huge, impressive doors. Inside, you'll find epic samurai armor, unique coffee cups that look elegantly smashed and repaired with metal, and a traditional hearth with a tea pot. The bath is amazing, sunken into the floor with a view of the old gate. The bedroom has two single beds, which is common in traditional Japanese places. They've done an incredible job renovating this place just three years ago, preserving the old architecture and vibe of the Edo era. It's a fantastic place to stay, especially considering the price.

Enjoy Inaniwa Udon, Akita's delicious local staple food, at a restaurant across the road from your accommodation. These udon noodles are very thin, almost translucent, and a bit thicker than somen. They're easy to slurp and don't make you feel overly full, making them a great lunch option. You can try them with two dipping flavors: a regular soy sauce dashi broth and a creamy sesame sauce, along with various toppings. Dining out in Japan in winter is special; you come in from the cold snow to warmth, with a big heater and a cozy view of the falling snow.

Experience the enchanting Tsurunoyu Onsen, the oldest hot spring inn in the region, tucked away deep in the mountains. As you approach, you can smell the sulfur and see steam rising naturally from the ground. The inn itself feels like a secluded village, with lamps swaying and steam rising from the hot water, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The main bath is a mixed-gender onsen, which can be a bit nerve-wracking, but the milky, opaque mineral water helps hide everything, making it more comfortable. There's a pathway for women to conceal themselves before entering the shared area. The water is silky smooth on your skin, and going from -3°C outside to 43°C in the bath is a beautiful sensation. Even after getting out, you feel warm for about 30 minutes. Separate baths are available if you prefer, but the mixed-gender one is definitely the most beautiful and worth overcoming your nerves for.