🗺️ Okukujiyu Onsen Village奥久慈温泉郷 (袋田温泉、月居温泉、大子温泉)

Okukuji Onsen Village is located in Daigo Town, in the northwest of Ibaraki Prefecture, at the foot of the highest peak in the Ibaraki region, Mount Akamizu (1,022 meters). The Kuji River flows through the center of the town, and the upstream area is known as Okukuji, a popular fishing spot for sweetfish. Amidst this beautiful nature of mountains and valleys, you can find Bagata Onsen, Tsukikyo Onsen, and Daigo Onsen, collectively referred to as "Okukuji Onsen Village." Bagata Onsen is situated by the Takigawa, a tributary of the Kuji River, and if you go a little upstream, you can see the splashing waters of one of Japan's three great waterfalls, "Bagata Falls." The hot spring here is a simple alkaline spring, known for its soothing effects on nerve pain and muscle soreness. It is said that during the Ansei era (1860), the Mito samurai Seki Tetsunosuke, who was the mastermind behind the Sakurada Gate Incident, hid in the home of a local notable, the Sakuraka family, and thus recovered from his illness. Upstream from Bagata Onsen is Tsukikyo Onsen, which features a simple hot spring bath managed by local residents. This hot spring has an alkaline simple spring quality, providing relief for nerve pain and lower back pain. Daigo Onsen is located in the center of Daigo Town and along the banks of the Kuji River. The hot spring here is a sodium sulfate spring, known for its remarkable beauty-enhancing effects, earning it the title of "the hot spring that shapes beautiful people." Many women visit this place for its therapeutic effects on gastrointestinal issues and nerve pain.

Many hot spring resorts offer simple bathing facilities, allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of hot springs at reasonable prices. It is recommended to take the JR Suigun Line to various hot spring areas, as you can enjoy both the hot springs and the pleasure of train travel. The Suigun Line runs along the Oku-Kuji River and is nicknamed the Oku-Kuji Seiryu Line. The beautiful natural scenery can be seen through the train windows, making it quite popular. In the nature of Oku-Kuji, many local specialties are nurtured, such as Oku-Kuji jidori (local chicken), Oku-Kuji apples, and Oku-Kuji tea. During autumn and winter, Oku-Kuji apples are placed in the hot spring baths, allowing you to enjoy the hot spring while also immersing yourself in the fragrance of apples. The "Oku-Kuji Daiko" rest area also features hot spring facilities. You can purchase fresh local products at the direct sales store and enjoy dishes made with Oku-Kuji specialties. Whether it's jidori hot pot or jidori grilled chicken, everything is incredibly delicious.