For over 300 years the hissing of an angry wife haunts a valley known as Goshougake. A love triangle gone wrong (do they ever go right?) gives the area some scandalous flavor while you can enjoy the healing hot springs or a barren wasteland of steam and stink. Akita Prefecture is famous for its hot spring culture. The bubbling water and sulfur are common in more than a few locals, yet none as expansive and exciting as Goshougake.
Local legend tells of a loving wife called Motome, meaning “revering wife” in the local dialect. She was a role model spouse and loved her husband very much. When the husband became very ill, a young girl was hired to take care of him. The faithful wife undoubtedly helping care for the cattle the husband was in charge of, running errands for medicine, and cleaning the house. The young woman “Oname” or “mistress” began a secret love affair with the man. Their love growing stronger as his health improved. The young woman realized that Motome was the perfect wife and she felt guilty that she was taking away from the couple’s happiness. She plunged herself into a steam vent, never to be seen again. The husband thought then that he and his wife could have a happy restart of their relationship. The wife was not happy, feeling lied to. She was also remorseful the young woman committed such a sacrifice. Against her husband’s pleas and seeking a better life, she jumped into the darkness and heat of the neighboring steam vent. The neighboring steam vents today are known as Oname and Motome. Motome continues to hiss in disgust with her husband’s actions even centuries later.
Goshougake is in a barren land hidden in the mountains. It was found by traveling samurai that were sick and exhausted from extensive travel. The valley is filled with steam vents, clear streams that are so hot they would scar your hands in an instant, and mud pots that bubble, shoot, and plop. There is much to walk around and see on the region’s trails and sidewalks. The signs even tell how hot the temperature of each area is! The smelly rotten egg smell is normal for areas of volcanic activity, but this valley of steam is so great in size that it is overwhelming if the wind blows the wrong way. Why would samurai want to rest here? That would be because some hot springs are just the right temperature to enjoy. Not too hot and full of natural minerals, the usable waters at Goshougake are known for healing tired bodies and souls.
Near the parking lot is a small village of hotel rooms, hot baths and spa area, restaurants and lodgings. The spa offers massages, mud baths, sauna, and more. The price of entry to take a dip in the healing waters of the region is just 400 yen. Some people take in the valley all day then stay at the hotel overnight. It makes the drive up the mountainous road more justifiable.
In my opinion, Goshougake has the best volcanic activity Akita has to offer-without any fatal lava. From steam vents where people have committed suicide to healing waters to remove illness in a valley that is at times beautiful and other times foul, everyone can find something Goshugake has to offer.
