by Gavin Pirie
Soak up the autumn air in a relaxing hot spring bath, as you escape the hustle and bustle of Sendai at Akiu Onsen.
*Sigh* city life, am I right? It can be a bit much at times.
One minute you’re driving around in circles looking for a parking spot that won’t bankrupt you. Next, you’re at the back of a seemingly endless line waiting for some Instagrammable tapioca tea. Before too long, you’re starting to envy the people asleep in their cars in front of your conbini. But did you know, you can escape all this at an oasis of relaxation just a stone’s throw away from Sendai Station?
If you feel like you need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, or just want a change of scenery for an hour or two, make the short trip to Akiu Onsen (秋保温泉).
Akiu Onsen was discovered over 1500 years ago and is known as one of Japan’s three premier onsens. Just thirty minutes by car from Sendai city. A trip here is a great opportunity to reset your batteries before heading back to work.
Located along the Natori River, Akiu Onsen has a number of high-quality hotels to choose from. Not only do they house lovely hot spring baths, but they also have restaurants, spacious Japanese style rooms, and other activities for you to enjoy. Don’t worry if you’ve spent all your money on tapioca tea, and can’t afford to stay the night; at many of the hotels, you are able to enjoy the baths and even have a delicious meal during day time hours. So if you want to escape that annoying politician who insists on circling your apartment building, begging you to vote for them; head out to Akiu for a few hours, and VOTE 1 for rest and relaxation.
Some of you are probably thinking ‘this all sounds great, but stripping down to my birthday suit in front of a group of strangers, isn’t really my idea of relaxation’. Or perhaps you’d rather enjoy a romantic hot spring bath with your significant other who has already accepted all your body’s oddities, than some random people who may think you’ve escaped from a passing circus. Don’t worry! Because at Akiu Onsen you can relax in the privacy of your very own private bath. While it’s possible to enjoy private baths at a number of the hotels in Akiu, my personal favorite is Hotel Hananoyu (ホテル華乃湯). For 45 minutes of private solitude, you can soak up all the medicinal benefits of the hot spring, while you listen to the Natori River float by. The stress of it all will simply slip away as you bathe, surrounded by nature, under the watchful gaze of a couple of slightly perverted Kokeshi dolls peeking through the trees.
You’ll be surprised at how such an amazingly serene and naturally beautiful place exists so close to the city. If you want to add some nature to your city detox, autumn is the best time to experience the hot springs, as the surrounding trees turn red, orange and yellow. The Rairaikyo Gorge runs along the river and offers a wonderful opportunity to take in the natural wonders of the area. In addition, after a short drive, Akiu Grand Falls can be found further along the river. If you want to relax, but perhaps nature isn’t quite your thing. Akiu also has a variety of cultural and craft experiences to indulge in, such as the Akiu Traditional Crafts Village, the Akiu Sato Centre (with free footbath), the Akiu Winery, and much more!
Akiu Onsen offers the perfect opportunity to get away from it all and reset your mind and body from all the stress of city living and work. It’s perfect for groups, couples and those who like to do it all themselves. Located just a short distance from Sendai city center, you really have no excuse not to visit and indulge yourself. So go on, wipe that sleep from your eyes and drop into a steaming hot bath at Akiu Onsen!
Access from Sendai
By car
From central Sendai to Akiu Onsen takes about 30 minutes.
By train or bus
There are a couple of options for how to take public transport to Akiu Onsen.