Owani Onsen JR Station 大鰐温泉駅, is a train station located on the Ou main line 奥羽本線. "Owani” literally means big crocodile. Therefore, upon knowing its name, it reminded me of Oniyama Jigoku 鬼山地獄 (in Beppu) where a bask of crocodiles can be seen soaking in the warm waters. Fortunately, I did not encounter such sight in this hot spring town. Owani Onsen is located in Owani machi 大鰐町 of Aomori Prefecture and was founded 800 years ago. This place was once used as a hot spring healing place by the Tsugaru clan during the Edo period. When the Ou main line was commissioned in 1895, it brought along an influx of visitors to Owani Onsen and fueled entertainment businesses in the town. Though the bustling street where Tsugaru Geisha could be sighted, was a scene of the past, the town is still frequent by locals for its therapeutic hot spring waters and tranquil pace of lifestyle. Now, the townscape is made up of a mixture of old and new establishments - traditional public bathhouses, humble inns and modern ryokan. Do take note the main hot spring town is located closer to Hirakawa river, which is about 15 minutes walk away from the train station.
Adjacent to Owani Onsen JR Station is Owani Station 大鰐駅, the terminus station on Konan Tetsudo Owani line 弘南鉄道大鰐線. Passengers can hop onto a train here and alight at Hirosaki Chuo Station 弘前中央駅, the last station on the other end of Owani line. Compared to Hirosaki JR Station, Hirosaki Chuo Station is actually closer to attractions such as Hirosaki Castle and Former Hirosaki City Library.
Limited express trains serving this train station include:
(1) Limited Express Tsugaru つがる, commutes between Aomori and Akita via Ou main line 奥羽本線, stopping by Shin Aomori 新青森駅, Hirosaki 弘前駅, Owani Onsen 大鰐温泉駅, Odate 大舘駅and Higashi-Noshiro 東能代駅.
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What’s nearby?
(1) Footbath, located just outside the train station.
One of the perks I always look forward to when visiting a hot spring town is its complimentary footbath pool, sometimes located just beside the train station. A great place to enjoy a relaxing foot soak to wear off the ache (accumulated from walking) while waiting for the train to arrive.
Operating hours: 0600 - 1900 hrs (May - Aug); 0700 - 1800 hrs (Sep - Apr)
One of the perks I always look forward to when visiting a hot spring town is its complimentary footbath pool, sometimes located just beside the train station. A great place to enjoy a relaxing foot soak to wear off the ache (accumulated from walking) while waiting for the train to arrive.
Operating hours: 0600 - 1900 hrs (May - Aug); 0700 - 1800 hrs (Sep - Apr)
(2) Wanicome 鰐come (ワニカム), a minute walk from the train station.
Operating hours: 0900 - 2200 hrs, closed on the 3rd Thu of every month.
Wanicome is a multipurpose building which houses souvenir shops, farmers' market, eateries as well as a communal bathhouse with both indoor and outdoor pools.
http://www.wanicome.com/
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