Hotel Sakan

Densho Sennen no Yado Sakan is a historic ryokan in Akiu Onsen, a hot spring area favored even by Date Masamune, the first lord of the Sendai domain. Akiu Onsen’s history is said to date back about 1,500 years, when it was called “Oyu” after healing Emperor Kinmei’s illness. True to its name “Densho Sennen (a thousand years of tradition),” the inn carries forward long-inherited traditions and hospitality. The hot springs include spacious baths such as the riverside, source-fed open-air bath “Kawahara no Yu,” and “Natori no Yu,” which recreates Date Masamune’s bathing place, among several others. Rooms can be chosen by preference: the high-grade Hiten-kan, the warmly Japanese Sansui-kan, or the more budget-friendly Kagetsu-kan. The inn also has a gallery displaying items connected to the Date family and a wine bar. Access: about 30 minutes by car from JR “Sendai Station,” or about 40 minutes via a free shuttle bus that runs twice a day (advance reservation required). From JR Senzan Line “Ayashi Station,” it’s about 15 minutes to Akiu Onsen by bus or taxi. Because it’s close to Sendai, Akiu Onsen is popular for its easy access.