Akiu Onsen, located in Sendai City, is a popular sightseeing and hot springs resort area found in the northeastern part of Japan.
The quality of the spring waters is of course superb in Akiu Onsen, and with well-acclaimed cuisine and rooms with private open-air baths, any ryokan you choose in this area will be bursting with personality.
It’s conveniently located for a day trip from JR Sendai Station, which is a real draw too. Out of the numerous onsen hotels sequestered away, our local writer from Miyagi will be introducing their top five picks.
*All ryokan introduced have measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19
Main image provided by Kagaribi-no-Yu Ryokusuitei
1. Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Photo provided by Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN’s claim to fame is as the bath palace of Date Masamune, the Sendai feudal lord. With the concept of “service from the heart that touches the core of yours”, it’s a hotel with unparalleled service.
You can reach it from JR Sendai Station via a 50-minute bus ride, and the hotel also provides a free shuttle bus (reservation required) from JR Sendai Station.
Photo provided by Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Including reservation-only baths, there are a total of five hot springs available. As we leave the corridor surrounded by an abundance of nature, we head towards one of the hot springs, the “Natori-no-Miyu.”
Inside the bathing area, the latticework lets in natural sunlight, so that despite being an indoor bath, it has an open-air atmosphere.
The latticework was formerly used to protect Date Masamune from potential enemies outside when taking his bath.
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the ladies’ baths have rose petals included in the waters.
One of the hybrid Japanese and Western-style rooms in the “Hiten Kan” for up to seven people, starting from 24,000 yen. Photo provided by Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Guest rooms are available in Japanese and Western styles. There’s a wide variety available, including some with attached open-air baths. Amongst these, there are rooms with their own rooftop gardens and terraces and even a high-grade room with its own viewing path made of cypress!
For guest rooms that come with beds, besides the business type rooms, they are furnished with 120-centimeter-long twin beds, so that you can rest and relax completely.
The Sakan Historical Gallery. A sacred fire that has been continuously kept burning for about 400 years, one of the hotel’s treasures, and other important documents are displayed. Free to view. Photo provided by Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Hotel Sakan is outfitted with measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including temperature-taking at the ryokan’s entrance and alcohol dispensers placed throughout the hotel, as well as limits on the number of people in elevators.
The homepage is also available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Thai. Reservations can be made via the home page.
Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Akiu-machi Yumoto, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken, 982-0241
022-398-2233
Business hours: Check-in at 3:00 p.m., check-out at 10:00 a.m.
Cost: Starting from 19,950 yen (without tax) for one night with two meals included
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