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[Miyagi Prefecture] A trip to the famous hot springs with a footbath | Introducing recommended footbath spots in Akiu, Sakunami, and Naruko!

A must-see for foot bath lovers! We'll introduce you to some foot bath spots where you can easily enjoy the famous hot springs of Miyagi Prefecture

Miyagi Prefecture is home to many famous hot spring resorts, but why not take a quick and enjoyable foot bath trip while sightseeing, touring, or just stopping by?

Even if you don't have the time or effort to stop by for a day trip to a hot spring, a quick foot bath should make the hurdles much lower. Warming your feet will warm your whole body, and it's also recommended for relieving everyday fatigue and swelling

While men and women are separated in hot springs, the good thing about foot baths is that couples, couples, or friends can enjoy a chat together in the bath

This time, we will introduce foot bath spots that you can use in famous hot spring areas in Miyagi Prefecture. Please use this as a reference for your trip

Miyagi Prefecture is one of the top hot spring prefectures in Japan! What kind of hot spring spots are there?

There are many prefectures across Japan that are home to famous hot springs, and Miyagi Prefecture is one of them. In fact, Miyagi Prefecture has a total of 749 hot springs, making it one of the leading hot spring areas in Japan

There are hot spring resorts in the northern, Sanriku, Sendai Matsushima, and southern areas of the prefecture

Northern part of the prefecture

Kurikoma Plateau

Naruko

Sanriku

Kesennuma

Minami Sanriku

Sendai and Matsushima

Sakunami

Akiu

Sea of ​​Birds

Matsushima

Southern part of the prefecture

Aone

Kamakura

Gaga

Togatta

Obara

sickle tip

Miyagi Prefecture is home to many famous hot spring resorts, but here we will introduce three hot spring resorts with recommended foot baths

  • Akiu Hot Springs
  • Sakunami Onsen
  • Naruko Onsen

Let's take a closer look

Footbath spots in Akiu Onsen

Akiu Onsen, also known as Sendai's inner sanctum, is one of the most famous hot springs in the Tohoku region. Since ancient times, the Date clan, the feudal lords of the region, had their baths here, and it is counted as one of the three most famous hot springs in Oshu. It is also one of Japan's three most famous hot springs, alongside Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Dogo in Ehime Prefecture, and is a royal hot spring owned by the Imperial family

The hot spring has a long history, having been discovered over 1,400 years ago. It is said that the hot springs were given the title of "Natori no Miyayu" (Natori's Imperial Hot Springs) after healing the illness of the 29th Emperor, Kinmei

It is easily accessible from downtown Sendai, just a 30-minute drive away, but once you arrive, you'll find it to be a charming hot spring resort with a panoramic view of the lush nature along the Natori River valley

Day trips to the hot springs are also popular, so why not combine your visit with a foot bath?

Akiu Village Center Juemon no Yu

This footbath is located at the tourist center of Akiu Onsen. The hot water is transported from tanks from the Akiu Onsen hotels, and you can enjoy water from a different hot spring source each week

This is a spot that can be used for free, so why not drop in and rest your feet?

INFORMATION

  • Name: Akiu Sato Center
  • Address: 40-7 Yumotoji Tahara, Akiu-cho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 982-0241
  • Phone number: 022-304-9151
  • URL: https://akiusato.jp/
  • Operating hours: 11:00-16:00
  • Closed: Weekdays

GOOGLE MAP

Akiu Village Agrie Forest Chapporin

This foot bath can be used as terrace seating at the Ochanoyu Cafe

A foot bath using tea allows you to enjoy both warmth and fragrance. It is said to have relaxing, antibacterial, moisturizing, and cold-sensitive effects

Why not enjoy a luxurious foot bath with flowing tea water, the great outdoors of Akiu, and delicious food at the food court all at once?

INFORMATION

  • Name: Tea Café Chapporin
  • Address: Akiu Village, 32-1 Nakayachi Minami, Moniwa, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 982-0251
  • telephone number:-
  • URL: http://akiu-village.jp/chapporin/
  • Opening hours: 10:00-16:00 (until 15:00 in winter)

GOOGLE MAP

Footbath spot in Sakunami Onsen

Located about 40 minutes by car from Sendai city, Sakunami Onsen, located upstream of the Hirose River, was handed down as a secret hot spring for the feudal lord of Sendai

There are two legends about the discovery of Sakunami Onsen: one says that it was discovered by a high priest during the Nara period, and the other says that it was discovered by Minamoto no Yoritomo during the Kamakura period

Sakunami Onsen, which was only known to a select few, was opened as a hot spring resort in 1796. It is said that it took eight years to open the road, build the stairs leading down to the valley floor, and complete the hot spring basin

Sakunami Onsen is characterized by its soft spring water that is gentle on the skin and its abundant supply. It is said to be a beauty-making hot spring, and has become a popular hot spring that many people visit

Also, near Sakunami Onsen is the Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory, where you can take a free tour and sample the whiskey

Sakunami Hot Spring Town Tourism Exchange Center Lasanta Miashi no Yu

This is a foot bath where you can enjoy the hypotonic, weakly alkaline simple spring water

As you'd expect from a town with a Nikka Whisky brewery, the natural hot spring water is poured from a barrel. It's free to enjoy, but the abundant hot spring water is free-flowing, so it's also nice that it's clean

Please note that the water temperature is not adjusted, so it will change depending on the weather

INFORMATION

  • Name: Sakunami Hot Spring Town Tourism Exchange Center Lasanta
  • Address: 2-7 Sakunami Motoki, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-3431
  • Phone number: 022-391-4126
  • URL: https://www.city.sendai.jp/kankokikaku/rasanta/
  • Operating hours: 9:00-17:00

GOOGLE MAP

Footbath spots in Naruko Onsen

Naruko Onsen, located in the northern part of the prefecture, is a hot spring resort where you can enjoy nearly 400 hot springs and nine different spring qualities. Many of the inns have their own hot springs on their premises. It has long been known as a therapeutic hot spring resort in the Tohoku region, and is counted as one of the three famous hot springs in Oshu, along with Akiu Onsen

The hot springs were discovered in 837 when boiling water erupted from a volcanic eruption, and have been visited by many people ever since. There are also many historical sites associated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Matsuo Basho

There are plenty of natural attractions, such as geysers and Shiraito Falls, and you can also enjoy traditional crafts such as Naruko Kokeshi dolls and Naruko lacquerware

Hot Spring Tour Parking Lot Footbath Shimo Jigoku Hot Spring Source

This is a foot bath located in a location where the smell of sulfur fills the air

The hot water is drawn directly from the Shimo Jigoku hot spring source through a gutter. It is located right next to the Naruko Onsen Yumeguri parking lot, so it's great for when you're tired from driving and want to drop in

There is also a hot spring egg workshop nearby where you can make your own hot spring eggs, so we recommend taking a break while you wait

There are also various hot spring facilities and shopping districts in the surrounding area, so it might be a good idea to take a look around them as well

INFORMATION

  • Name: Naruko Onsen Yumeguri Parking Lot Shimo Jigoku Spring Source
  • Address: 84 Shinyashiki, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6100
  • Phone number: 0123-45-6807
  • URL:-
  • Operating hours: 09:00-18:00

GOOGLE MAP

Poppo Footbath

This unusual foot bath is located in front of JR Naruko Onsen Station. It has two types of cypress bathtubs with different temperatures and depths

Since it's adjacent to the station, you can use it while waiting for a train. You can stay comfortable even on cold days. It's also open at night

INFORMATION

  • Name: Naruko Onsen Poppo no Yu
  • Address: Naruko Onsen Yumoto, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6823

GOOGLE MAP

summary

This time we introduced foot bath spots in famous hot spring resorts in Miyagi Prefecture

This foot bath is free and easy to use. It will warm your body and mind on cold days or when you're tired. Why not stop by and make a little memory of your trip?

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