Top 10 Onsen Ryokans 2020: Tohoku Edition

Photo: Goshikinuma Ponds, Koriyama Onsen / Aizuwakamatsu Onsen

Selected Onsen Ryokan is a collection of the very best onsen ryokans in Japan. This page is the ranking of the most popular onsen ryokans in the Tohoku region at Selected Onsen Ryokan in 2019. Please use this list as a reference when you pick up your favourite onsen ryokan.

Dedicated to your premium best onsen ryokan experience, Selected Onsen Ryokan introduces around 600 onsen ryokans with different special features throughout Japan. You can compare multiple booking sites to make reservations right from this website.
We offer particularly detailed information about onsen ryokans that provide guest rooms with private open-air baths (rotenburo), and onsen ryokans with rental hot spring baths for private use (kashikiri-buro). This website gives a lot of useful tips to people travelling in couples and families. If you are concerned about privacy and want to have a unique hot spring experience with someone special in a relaxed manner, this site is the best place to find the perfect onsen ryokan for you.

1. Miyamaso Takamiya

Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Tohoku Region

One of the most popular Japanese hot spring inns. The nine hot spring baths are open 24 hours a day. 10 min. by walk to the ropeway station bound for the peak of Mount Zao.

Access: around 2h 40 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station, then 40 min by bus to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal

Miyamaso Takamiya

2. Ginzanso

Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata, Tohoku Region

This abundantly cultural hot spring town served as the set for the famous NHK drama “Oshin.”

Access: around 3h 15 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Oishida Station, then 35 min by bus to Ginzan Onsen

Ginzanso

3. Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku

Hanamaki Onsen, Iwate, Tohoku Region

An extensive array of hot spring baths. Enjoy the Sansui-no-yu, Toyozawa -no-yu, and the coed open air bath, Osawa-no-yu.

Access: around 2h 30 min by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hanamaki Station, then 45 min by shuttle bus to the ryokan

Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku

4. Zao Kokusai Hotel

Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Tohoku Region

Brimming with rustic flavor, the wooden Hachiemon bath is famous. Enjoy 100% “kakenagashi” (never recycled)  sulfur bathing. 5 min. by walk to the ropeway station bound for the peak of Mount Zao. A ski-in/ski-out accommodation.

Access: around 2h 40 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station, then 40 min by bus to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal

Zao Kokusai Hotel

5. Marumine Bekkan Kawane

Aizuwakamatsu Onsen, Fukushima, Tohoku Region

The view of a gorge seen from spots such as the private open-air hot spring baths and the guest rooms is magnificent. There are huge 30-meter hot spring baths that overlooks a gorge.

Access: around 1h 20 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station, then 1h 10 min by JR Banetsu West Line to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and 45 min by bus to Ashinomaki Chuo Machiaijo

Marumine Bekkan Kawane

6. Matsushima Ichinobo

Matsushima Onsen, Miyagi, Tohoku Region

The view of the sea from spots such as the room and open-air baths is beautiful. All rooms offer a view of the ocean. Standing next to Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots of Japan.

Access: around 1h 30 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station, then 23 min by JR Tohoku Main Line to Matsushima Station

Matsushima Ichinobo

7. Zao Waka no Yado Wakamatsuya

Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Tohoku Region

With a private-use hot spring baths. A beautiful view of the mountains from the rooms. 3 min. by walk to the ropeway station bound for the peak of Mount Zao.

Access: around 2h 40 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station, then 40 min by bus to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal

Zao Waka no Yado Wakamatsuya

8. Hotel Sansuiso

Fukushima Onsen, Fukushima, Tohoku Region

With five types of private-use hot spring baths. There is an exhilarating view overlooking the gorge from the large open-air public baths above. Located in a riverside area.

Access: around 1h 40 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Fukushima Station, then 35 min by courtesy bus to the ryokan

Hotel Sansuiso

9. Seifutei

Koriyama Onsen, Fukushima, Tohoku Region

All eleven rooms come with large open-air baths where you can enjoy fresh hot spring water straight from the source. The spaces with open-air baths in the accommodations are spacious and liberating.

Access: around 1h 20 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station, then 35 min by JR Banetsu West Line to Inawashiro Station

Seifutei

10. Yuze Hotel

Yuze Onsen, Akita, Tohoku Region

Welcome to one of the three major hot springs of beauty in Japan.

Access: around 2h 10 min by JR Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Morioka Station, then 1h 45 min by Iwate Galaxy Railway to Yuze Onsen Station

Yuze Hotel

LIST OF RYOKANS
(Tohoku Region)