Kashoen Ryokan

Kashoen is a luxury ryokan recommended for stays in Hanamaki. Access: about 20 minutes by local bus from JR Hanamaki Station, or about 20 minutes by shuttle bus from JR (Tohoku Shinkansen) Shin-Hanamaki Station. By car, it is about 5 minutes from Hanamaki IC (Tohoku Expressway). It is also known for having hosted the Emperor and Empress in the past. The property is surrounded by red pines (Nanbu’s prefectural tree) and features shin-sukiya style architecture. The inner courtyard is especially beautiful, and at night bonfires are lit; the glow against the white-stone garden makes the space even more striking. In the quiet, tranquil atmosphere, you naturally feel calmer. Kashoen’s onsen is highly regarded, with one key point being its high pH: alkaline waters said to be good for the skin are often described as pH 7.5+, while Kashoen’s bathwater is said to reach pH 9.0. The gentle water is ideal for slowly easing everyday fatigue. There is also a cypress open-air bath, where soaking among the trees creates a truly blissful moment. The rooms are designed to be both soothing and luxurious, combining refined Japanese aesthetics with modern functionality for deep relaxation of both body and mind.