Ganiba Onsen

Located at the end of the road, Kaniba Onsen is at the very back of Nyuto Onsenkyo and is a single inn where you can fully enjoy nature. The name comes from the fact that there used to be many crabs in the nearby stream. The water is clear and colorless, which is rare in Nyuto Onsenkyo, and is said to be good for the skin. In addition to a mixed outdoor bath, there is an indoor wooden bath and rock bath, as well as an outdoor bath for women only. The two hot springs have abundant water, so you can enjoy bathing in the hot springs with flakes of hot spring minerals falling all over the place.

Me and my girlfriend visited in early August and had a great time. The room was beautiful and the service was excellent! There were many good baths (onsen) to choose between, both inside and outdoors. The outdoor baths are especially nice with the forest view! The food was an experience in itself, beautifully presented and locally sourced. A lot of dishes that we had never seen or tasted before which really added to the overall impression. The atmosphere was very calm and friendly and we would definitely visit again if we had the chance!

Upon arrival, our first impression of Ganiba Onsen hotel was not great. With weeds growing everywhere and a subtle air of faded grandeur, we weren’t sure that it was still open. But inside, everything looked respectable. We were quickly checked in a given a quick rundown on the hotel on onsen with the staff speaking very basic English. Our Japanese style room was quite small, very little room left over after laying out the futons, however it was clean and comfortable with 2 large windows. The toilet/basin area was tiny and there was no shower/bath in the room (you must use the communal onsens). The room was severely lacking in hooks and other places to dry towels and clothes. We had a mini-fridge, TV, AC, but no coffee making facilities and the Wifi seemed to work OK. The traditional Japanese meals, included in the price, were OK but nothing to write home about. We were dismayed to see that you actually had to pay extra if you wanted drinks, such as coffee or juice, with your breakfast – seemed pretty tight! The outdoor onsen was beautiful, set down in a small forested valley about 50m from the hotel. Magical setting and the water was divine at 41C. This is a mixed gender onsen but I only ever saw men there. There is another outdoor onsen for women and also a couple of indoor ones as well. They change them around at certain times so women can use the nice forest onsen. Access to the hotel is fairly easy as it is the last stop/first stop on the bus coming to/from Tazawa-ko, about a 40min ride from the lake. There are a few interesting trails in the immediate area if you like to explore. Overall, a bit of a mixed experience, but overall well worth the stay, even just to use the amazing onsen.

On the beautiful mountains in the Akita prefecture, we took a small buss up and from the start of the mountain it nonstop snowed, we only went for a day visit and it was perfect. Walking to the outside onsen there was a sulfur smell and you do have to take your clothes off inside a wooden cold hut right next to the onsen, but the moment you get into the hot onsen water, its well worth it. Amazing experience, especially when it snows!!

Amazing food and outdoor onsen. Staff were very helpful and were patient with our limited japanese. Great experience.

I stayed two night with my partner and it was a blast! We had a Nyuto Onsen pass and visited Ganiba, Ookama, Tae no Yu, Kyukamura & Tsurolunoyu onsen. Unfortunately the other two onsens were closed. Ganiba onsen was our favourite; it was a 50m short walk from the ryokan which gave us the feeling of being fully in the forest when bathing in the onsen. The Ryokan self was not the most beauty, also it was quite cold on the inside. But the price quality (compared to other ryokans in Nyuto area) was totally worth it.

The last stop on the bus route so takes a while to get to and from. Rooms are neat and well sized for 2 people. Futons are a bit thin compared to some others but overall very comfortable. Only shower option is in the onsen but not a big deal. Big onsen meals for breakfast and dinner. If you've never had an onsen meal before just know that there's no menu. It just whatever the chef has decided to prepare. Staff have all been super nice and haven't had any trouble communicating. The mixed onsen is a beautiful outdoor bath. A very lovely place overall.

Great place with great view. I loved the opened bath although it's a mixed one so better check the timing to go.. the food is a typical Japanese cuisine. The best thing about this place is the nature that surrounds it which make perfect if you want have a relaxing weekend.