AreaSendai

Akiu Onsen Hotel Sakan

伝承千年の宿 ホテル佐勘 | Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN

A 1,000-year tradition of hospitality

Photo by Hotel Sakan

Photo by Hotel Sakan

Photo by Hotel Sakan

Photo by Hotel Sakan

  • Chris Echeverry

    Writer

    Sendai

    Tags

    Last Update
    February 16, 2020

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  • The story of Hotel Sakan began more than 800 years ago, when Kanzaburo Satoh built a small inn in what is now Akiu Onsen. The waters of Akiu became known for their healing powers, and shortly thereafter the emperor designated Akiu Onsen one of the Three Great Hot Springs of Japan. Kanzaburo’s inn has been passed down for thirty-four generations, with Hotel Sakan as its current incarnation. After a gracious welcome at the entrance, guests are escorted to a grand lobby that echoes with the sound of water trickling through indoor koi ponds. To the side, a small museum of dioramas and artifacts vividly chronicles the history of the hotel.

    Despite its long history, the actual structure is modern, elegant, and well-maintained. The hotel offers Japanese-style rooms with a choice of beds or futons, four different natural hot spring baths, two restaurants, a wine bar, an outdoor terrace, a gift shop, and the mini history museum.

    On the first floor is a huge indoor bath lit by large windows offering views of the nature of Akiu. Step outside and into the open-air baths for a closer view and crisp, fresh air. Dry off and warm up in the adjoining sauna.

    One of the hotel restaurants, Mikuriya, is open to non-staying guests for lunch. Meals include freshly made soba noodles with crispy tempura. What really sets a meal here apart is the sprawling view of the Natori River that can be enjoyed from any seat.

    This is a hotel absolutely worth spending the night at. I can also personally recommend the simple and affordable day trip package that includes transportation from Sendai, a soba lunch, and of course, a chance to soak in the steaming hot springs. I’ve been three times so far, and plan on going again soon.

    WEBSITEhttps://www.sakan-net.co.jp/en/

Details

ADDRESS

Akiumachi Yumoto, Taihaku Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture 982-0241

ACCESS BY PUBLIC TRANSIT

By free shuttle bus: 55 minutes from Sendai Station (reservations required)
By Sendai Seibu Liner bus: 30 to 40 minutes from Sendai Station. From Sendai Station Bus Platform 63, board an Akiu・Kawasaki Sendai Seibu Liner (秋保・川崎 仙台西部ライナー) bus bound for Kawasaki-machi (かわさきまち). Alight at the Sakan-mae (佐勘前) bus stop. Timetable here.

CREDIT CARDS

Accepted

LANGUAGES

Limited English

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

Yes

PHONE

022-398-2233

TATTOO POLICY

Tattoos OK in the public bath as long as they are concealed. Those who cannot or don't want to conceal their tattoos can use the private loaner baths instead.

Accommodation Details

ROOMS

50 Japanese-Western-style, 8 Western-style

CAPACITY

873 guests

ONSEN

Yes

Food & Drink Details

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

No

HALAL

No

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE MENU

No

NON-SMOKING

No

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