Taenoyu is a unique onsen in that men and women never miss out on any of the five baths available: the separate bath locations for men and women switch every evening. The open-air bath, which is gender mixed, feels like an infinity pool, and overlooks a giant waterfall at the edge of the space. With a backdrop of mountains covered with trees, the outdoor bath area immerses you in all of the natural beauty that Akita has to offer. One indoor bath has a rock-lined edge filled with orange-golden color water, and is almost an open-air bath itself, providing a view of the forest outside its wooden overhang. Another indoor bath is filled with stones and clear water, allowing you to experience a foot massage when you press your feet against the bottom of the bath. As you enter the ryokan, before taking the baths, enjoy an afternoon tea in the dining area also used to serve breakfast, with a view of a small river and various trees stretching across the mountain. A separate dining area is available for dinner, where many of Akita’s famous dishes, including kiritanpo and sansai, are served. The multi-course dinner is complemented with Akita’s local sake, or nihonshu, produced from Akita-grown rice and pure spring water.