Featured Hotels Near Hiragakanko Hot Spring

Hiragakanko Star House is a top choice for families, offering traditional Japanese-style rooms with private outdoor onsen and panoramic views of the surrounding forested mountains. Just a 3-minute walk from the Hiragakanko Hot Spring main area, it features complimentary shuttle service to nearby hiking trails and bus stops. For best availability, especially during winter snow season, we recommend HopeGoo early to secure a high-floor room with an unobstructed view of the snow-covered landscape. The inn also serves daily kaiseki meals made with locally sourced ingredients, providing an authentic taste of Aomori’s rural cuisine.

From Hiragakanko Star House, it's just a 5-minute walk to the Shirakawa Ravine Trailhead, where you can stroll through primeval forest and reach a scenic waterfall and natural pebble pool. The inn provides free rental hiking poles and anti-slip shoe covers, and updates trail conditions daily at 9 AM in the lobby. For deeper exploration, take the weekend-only lake shuttle bus offered by the inn, reaching the Motonosumi Wetland Observation Point in about 15 minutes—ideal for spotting wild ducks and red-crowned cranes in their natural habitat.

Yes, Hiragakanko Star House offers six fully private outdoor onsen cabins, each built with natural stone and bamboo for an authentic rustic feel, featuring adjustable water temperature and wireless sound systems. Located deep within the garden, these cabins ensure complete privacy. At night, guests can enjoy stargazing baths under clear skies, enhanced by a cozy fire pit nearby—perfect for experiencing the soothing ritual of "snow soaking." All cabins require advance reservation; book your preferred time slot via the HopeGoo platform, and consider adding a breakfast-included package for a more immersive stay.

A 1.2-kilometer hike upstream along the Shirakawa Ravine Trail leads to the Ancient Tree Shrine Ruins, a serene Shinto site surrounded by century-old cherry trees, blooming into a pink sea each spring—a favorite among photographers. Another gem is Unfū no Kabe (Cloud Peak Cliff), accessible via a short steep path, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Hiragakanko basin and distant snow-capped peaks, especially magical at sunrise when mist lingers. The inn provides free guided maps and brochures with recommended photo spots and safety tips—bring sturdy shoes and warm layers for the journey.

Yes, Hiragakanko Star House offers limited-edition Snowscape View Rooms each winter, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with double-glazed glass to capture unobstructed views of snow-laden forests and rising steam from the hot springs. Some rooms include electric heated flooring and heated bedding for added comfort during cold nights. Guests enjoy free access to snowside foot baths and a nightly tea ceremony, plus exclusive workshops like handmade lantern making in the private lounge. Book via the HopeGoo platform to receive a local specialty gift box as a welcome amenity.

Hiragakanko Star House partners with nearby farms for its weekly "Field Night" dining experience, held every Friday and Saturday evening in the inn’s garden. Dishes feature seasonal vegetables, free-range eggs, and wild mushrooms foraged from the mountains—all prepared by the farmers themselves. Guests dine in yukata robes around a charcoal hearth, listening to stories about the land while participating in a simple rice-pressing workshop. Reservations required at least three days in advance; book through the HopeGoo platform to secure a spot and receive a special farm-fresh meal package.