Akayu JR Station 赤湯駅 is a train station on Yamagata Shinkansen line 山形新幹線 and located in Nanyo city 南陽市. Came to know about Akayu Onsen through Train Cruise, a travel documentary promoting train travel in Japan and is produced by NHK. In one of the episodes (Autumn Delights in Tohoku and Shin-etsu), railway travel in Yamagata, Fukushima and Niigata was featured and a stop by Akayu Station while travelling along Yamagata Shinkansen line was recommended. Akayu Onsen 赤湯温泉 traces its history to more than 900 years ago. It was said that in the past, soldiers miraculously recovered from their wounds, that were inflicted during battles, after soaking into the hot spring waters. During the therapy, the blood from their wounds dyed the water entirely red and this was how the name of Akayu, which means red coloured hot water, came about. The hot spring waters contain sulfur, sodium and calcium salts and said to have therapeutic effects on people suffering from cut wounds, burn, diabetes, minor high blood pressure and neuralgia. Followed the recommendation from Train Cruise and planned an overnight stay in Takinami 瀧波, one of the ryokan located in this historic hot spring town, on my very first visit to Tohoku region in Oct 2015.
- Nanyo city Tourism Association 南陽市観光協会: http://nanyoshi-kanko.jp/
- Akayu Onsen Ryokan Association 赤湯温泉旅館協同組合: https://www.akayu-onsen.com/index.html
Trains serving this station include:
(1) Tsubasa つばさ commutes northwards towards Kaminoyama Onsen かみのやま温泉駅, Zao 蔵王駅, Yamagata 山形駅, Tendo 天童駅, Oishida 大石田駅 and Shinjo 新庄駅 via Yamagata Shinkansen line
(2) Tsubasa つばさ commutes southwards towards Yonezawa 米沢駅 and Fukushima 福島駅 via Yamagata Shinkansen. Tsubasa combines with Yamabiko やまびこ at Fukushima JR Station and continues its journey southwards towards Tokyo.
(3) Toreiyu Tsubasa とれい ゆつばさ is a special themed high speed rail equipped with foot bath. This train makes one round trip per day and usually operates on weekends and public holidays.
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| A group of elementary students bade farewell to passengers from the train station platform. |
What's nearby?
(1) Bus stop, on the east exit of train station.
The main hot spring district is actually located about 2 km away from the train station. Board the Nakagawa area bus 中川地区バス from here (赤湯駅東口) and alight at Akayu Onsen Guchi 赤湯温泉口. Do take note that this bus service is very infrequent (only operates three times per day) and is only operational on weekdays.
If you intend to stay overnight at one of the ryokan/hotels in Akayu Onsen, some of them do provide complimentary pick up services to and fro from the train station. Do check with the staff from the ryokan/hotels to confirm whether this service is provided and make prior reservation if required.
Bus schedule: http://www.city.nanyo.yamagata.jp/bus/2078
(2) Karakoro-kan からころ館, located within Akayu Onsen district.
〒999-2211 山形県南陽市赤湯754番地の2
Operating hours: 0900 - 2000 hrs, closed on Wednesdays
http://www.karakorokan.jp/
This building, constructed in 1824, was originally situated in the village headman residences 庄屋屋敷 of Yoshino district 吉野地区. The building was transferred to its current location, underwent refurbishment and was transformed into a tourist information center in 2008. Apart from providing information on Akayu Onsen, visitors can rent bicycles, purchase locally produced merchandise or enjoy outdoor footbath for free in this one-stop facility.
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Commemorative stamp:
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Video: Take a look at NHK's Train Cruise documentary featuring Toreiyu Tsubasa train and Akayu Onsen.
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