Whisky naturally in the hot springs! The unknown charm of "Sakunami Onsen," a backroom tatami room in Sendai! [Miyagi Prefecture]

Sakunami Onsen can be reached by driving approximately 40 minutes from downtown Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Surrounded by majestic mountains, Sakunami Onsen is perfect for short trips as it has not only hot springs, but also beautiful nature and Japan's leading whiskey distillery, Nikka Whiskey Miyagikyo Distillery.

Let's take a closer look at the charm of Sakunami Onsen, which is popular among Sendai residents because it is easily accessible!

The new Sakunami Onsen Station is a tourist hub!

Sakunami Station a tourist hub for Sakunami Onsen , is a station on the Senzan Line of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) located in Ainozawa, Sakunami, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and can be reached in about 40 minutes by local train to Yamagata from Sendai Station.

It opened in 1931 (Showa 6) and was the terminal station on the Senzan Higashi Line (the line's name at the time), as the Senzan Line at that time had not yet reached Yamagata. By the way, the entire Senzan Line opened in 1937 (Showa 12).

It was reborn in 2008 (Heisei 20) and is currently crowded with many customers.
The crispy fried manju sold at Tsutsumi-ya Sakunami Store, located near Sakunami Station, is a popular item. It's perfect for eating while walking.

Sakunami Station＜Information＞

• Name: JR Senzan Line Sakunami Station
• Address: Sakunami Ainosawa, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

Google Map

Let's go to Nikka Whiskey Miyagikyo Distillery!

Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery the most representative tourist spot in Sakunami Onsen .

This Nikka whiskey distillery was founded by Masataka Taketsuru, who is said to be the father of Japanese whisky, and is the second distillery to produce unblended whiskey after the Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido. Among whiskey lovers, Yoichi whiskey is often described as ``masculine'' and Miyagikyo whiskey as ``feminine.''

Miyagikyo Distillery produces single malt whisky, including Miyagikyo

170,000 to 180,000 people visit the factory every year, making it one of the tourist hubs in the western part of Sendai City. At the large red-brick distillery, you can see the whiskey making process and receive tasting services.

Some distillery tours are free, but advance reservations are required. Reservations are not required for tours and tastings inside the visitor center. There is also a shop where you can purchase Nikka whiskey products, including those from Miyagikyo Distillery, so it's perfect for looking for souvenirs.

Nikka Whiskey Miyagikyo Distillery <Information>

• Name: Nikka Whiskey Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery
• Address: 1 Nitsuka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 022-395-2865
• Official URL: https://www.nikka.com/distilleries/miyagikyo/visit/

Google Map

Enjoy the pure streams and nature of the Shinkawa River, which was also recognized by Nikka Whisky founder Taketsuru Masataka!

Nikka Whisky founder Taketsuru Masataka visited this area as a potential distillery, he took a sip of water from the Nikkawa River, a tributary of the Hirose River, and decided to build the distillery. It seems that the names Nikkawa and Nikka were also coincided by coincidence, so it feels like something destined.

In addition to the beauty of the river, it is also known as a scenic spot with a beautiful valley, and many people visit during the season of fresh greenery and autumn leaves. If you walk along the promenade along the valley, you'll be able to see powerful waterfalls and clear streams surrounded by nature.

This area is also famous for its nature,
Homei Shiju Hachitaki The name comes from the fact that there are waterfalls of all sizes and large and small, and it sounds like the legendary bird, the phoenix. The negative ions released from the waterfalls will soothe both your body and mind.

After all, hot springs are a must!

After working up a sweat while sightseeing or walking, take a day trip to the hot springs to soothe your fatigue. There are many hot spring inns in Sakunami Onsen that are open for day trips.

Among them, Yuzukushi Salon Ichinobo has multiple baths, so you can enjoy a full day trip to the hot springs. After enjoying the hot springs, why not enjoy a relaxing view of the mountains while drinking tea on the terrace?

Also, just across the bridge over the Hirose River, just across from Ichinobo, the Hiraga Kokeshi Shop where you can purchase Sakunami Onsen's traditional craft, Sakunami Kokeshi , so be sure to take a look when you visit.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

Sakunami Kokeshi - Traditional Kokeshi developed in Sakunami Onsen in Sendai and has a history of over 150 years [Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/39390

Kokeshi is one of the most representative traditional crafts in the Tohoku region. This is a craft that has spread over a fairly wide area, with at least one unique lineage in all Tohoku prefectures. This time, we've delved deeper into the "Sakunari Kokeshi" that has developed around Sakunari Onsen in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. What is kokeshi? Kokeshi are wooden toys that were made by craftsmen called kijishi, who mainly lived in mountain villages and used rods to make bowls and trays for their lives, to sell to children's toys and souvenirs to hot spring resorts in nearby hot spring towns. Kokeshi "..." is located at Sakunami Station on the JR Senzan Line.

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Yuzukushi Salon Ichinobo＜Information＞

• Name: Yuzukushi Salon Ichinobo
• Address: 3 Sakunami Nagahara, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 022-395-2131
• Official URL: https://www.ichinobo.com/sakunami/

Google Map

Yugami Shrine, a power spot

Yugami Shrine, located in a corner of the hot spring inn area, is a shrine that has been worshiped by the Iwamatsu family, who run Sakunami Onsen's long-established inn, Iwamatsu Ryokan, as the god of hot springs and guardian of the land.

It is a shrine that prays for marriage, good health, good health, and prosperous business. This shrine is dedicated to a white snake and is known as a secret power spot. As Sakunami Onsen has been certified as a ``lover's sacred place,'' local events such as the ``Koi no Yu Meguri Stamp Rally'' are also held there.

It might be a good idea to stop by while taking a walk to cool off the hot water. By the way, you can also get a stamp of Yugami Shrine by paying a first-year fee of 300 yen at the front desk of Iwamatsu Ryokan.

Yugami Shrine＜Information＞

• Name: Yugami Shrine
• Address: Sakunami Motoki, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: -
• Official URL: -

Google Map

summary

There are many hot springs in Miyagi Prefecture, but Sakunami Onsen, which is close to Sendai City, is popular because it is easily accessible. There are plenty of hot spring inns, so you won't have any problems whether you're on a day trip or staying overnight.

Be sure to visit Sakunami Onsen, which can be enjoyed in all seasons!