From One Hot Spring to Another in Iwate

More than 6,000 rose bushes in 450 varieties are planted in the Hanamaki Onsen Rose Garden. From left: the hotels Senshūkaku, Hanamaki, and Kōyōkan. (Courtesy Hanamaki Onsen Co., Ltd.)

Bathers enjoy the relaxing fragrances of the brightly colored rose baths. (Courtesy Hanamakionsen Co., Ltd.)

The Hotel Hanamaki is popular for the view from its outdoor baths made of Japanese cypress. (Courtesy Hanamakionsen Co., Ltd.)

The outdoor bath at Hotel Kōyōkan is floodlit by night, lending it a surreal atmosphere. (Courtesy Hanamakionsen Co., Ltd.)

The Ōsawa-no-yu outdoor bath stands on the riverbank. (Courtesy Ōsawa Onsen)

The naturally alkaline hot spring water has a moisturizing effect on skin. (Courtesy Ōsawa Onsen)

Although mixed bathing is the rule in these standing immersion baths, they are also set aside for exclusive use by female patrons at scheduled times. (Courtesy Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan)

This wooden three-story ryokan is built in a luxurious Western style. (Courtesy of Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan)

A brewing vat 2 meters in diameter dominates this museum display. (Courtesy of the Iwate Tourism Association)