Hanamaki Onsen in Iwate: Unwind in Hot Springs With Scenic Nature Views

About Hanamaki Onsenkyo

Hanamaki Onsen is a hot spring resort located in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture. You can get there in about three hours with the bullet train or bus from Tokyo Station. There are more than ten hot spring resorts scattered along the Toyosawa River, and there are many hot springs such as Hanamaki Onsen, Dai Onsen, Kanaya Onsen, and Matsukura Onsen.

The hometown of Japan's famous fairytale writer Kenji Miyazawa

Hanamaki is also famous as the place where Kenji Miyazawa, a leading fairytale writer in Japan, was born and raised. There are 30 information boards in the city that are related to Kenji Miyazawa, so you can tour the city while experiencing his personality and works.

Features of Hanamaki Onsenkyo

There are many hotels and inns, from resort hotels to hidden onsen ryokan. It is so famous that it ranks high in the hot spring inn grand prix voted by the public every year. There are plenty of hot spring sources, so it is recommended to enjoy a hot spring tour on a day trip. There are retro streetscape shops along the river, so it's fun to stroll around the city on the way back.

If you go to Hanamaki Onsenkyo, you will definitely want to stay at this hotel

Hanamaki Onsenkyo has a variety of facilities, from historic famous hot springs to modern hotels. From large hotels to historic inns, we introduce you to recommended accommodations all at once.

Hotel Koyokan

An inn with the theme of "hospitality from the heart with seasonal ingredients and the colors of the four seasons." The open-air rock baths and rose baths are popular. There are many ways to enjoy children and adults alike, such as a live kitchen where the chef cooks in front of you and a "festival plaza" that is held for free every night.

The hypotonic spring, which is difficult to get dizzy, is also recommended for being gentle on the body. If you go through the connecting passage "Rose Path," you can move to Hotel Hamaki, Hotel Senshukaku, and you can also use different large public baths and open-air baths.

Hotel Koyokan
Address: 1-125 Yumoto, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Official website: https://www.hanamakionsen.co.jp/koyokan/

Hotel Hanamaki

Hotel Hanamaki is based on the concept of "a quiet space embraced by the bosom of the mountains." The hinoki (Japanese cypress) open-air bath with a liberating atmosphere is a popular hotel. At Sakura Dining, which was renovated in February 2018, you can fully enjoy the tastes of the local area. You can enjoy the seasonal Tohoku ingredients to your heart's content. You can also use the hot springs of the adjacent Hotel Koyokan and Hotel Senshukaku.

Hotel Hanamaki
Address: 1-125 Yumoto, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Official website: https://www.hanamakionsen.co.jp/hanamaki/

Hotel Senshukaku

The guest rooms are Japanese-style, and you can experience the scent of tatami mats unique to Japan and the warmth of shoji screen doors. The bath is a spacious space with abundant hot water, the pride of the hotel, so you can relax. In the women's bath, you can also enjoy the colorful bath with floating rose petals. Hotel Koyokan and Hotel Hanamaki are connected by a connecting passage, so it is possible to visit the hot springs with a ticket that allows you to access all the three facilities.

Hotel Senshukaku
Address: 1-125 Yumoto, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Official website: https://www.hanamakionsen.co.jp/senshu/

Kashoen

Based on the concept of "an inn with unforgettable hospitality", it is a luxurious ryokan where you can enjoy an elegant and relaxing adult time. There are a variety of rooms, including Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, and special rooms, and you can enjoy seasonal cuisine with particular attention to ingredients. The moist, smooth and smooth water is difficult to cool down and can be expected to be effective for beautiful skin. In the open-air bath of Hinoki, you can feel the pleasant breeze along with the scent of hinoki.

Kashoen
Address: 1-125 Yumoto, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Official website: https://www.hanamakionsen.co.jp/kashoen/

Hotel Shidodaira

With the theme of "excitement springs up", it is a hot spring inn that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. For children, the pool with a waterslide with a total length of more than 90 meters and the buffet rich in seafood and mountain delicacies are popular. Adults should relax and enjoy the four types of hot springs. The beauty of the open-air bath right next to the river and forest is breathtaking. It is a family-friendly accommodation with many facilities that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Hotel Shidotaira
Address: Shidotaira, Yuguchi, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate Prefecture

Let's visit sightseeing spots around Hanamaki Onsenkyo

We will introduce recommended sightseeing spots such as sightseeing spots related to Kenji Miyazawa and superb scenery photo spots created by nature.

Kenji Miyazawa tour

The Kenji Miyazawa Memorial Museum in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, is a popular tourist attraction that attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year from all over Japan. The famous sentence "Ame ni mo makezu, kaze ni mo makezu" (be not defeated by the rain, and be not defeated by the wind) was written in his notebook, and was discovered after his death, inspiring many people.

His handwritten letters and manuscripts are displayed in the museum as valuable materials that allow visitors to imagine Kenji Miyazawa as he was at that time. The Kenji Miyazawa Dowa Mura (fairytale village) is a theme park where visitors are greeted by the Ginga Station from Kenji Miyazawa's book "The Galactic Railroad," as if they have stepped into his fairytale.

Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum
Address: 1-1-36 Yasawa, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Official website: https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/attractions/detail_1241.html

Ryusendo Cave, an Instagram-worthy photo spot

One of the three largest limestone caves in Japan, it is designated as a National Natural Monument. The stalactites of various shapes and sizes, combined with the sound of gushing water and the deep, clear blue of the underground lakes, create a mysterious atmosphere. There are eight underground lakes, three of which are open to the public and illuminated. It is a popular spot for taking Instagram photos.

Also recommended is the "Ginga" SL train, which takes 4.5 hours to travel the 90 km from Hanamaki Station to Kamaishi, the final destination. The views from the train windows are spectacular, and the scenery is so spectacular that you will want to take a photo.

Ryusendo Cave
Address: 1-1 Kannari Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Official website: http://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/

Access to Hanamaki Onsenkyo

It is convenient to take a car or bus from JR Hanamaki Station to Hanamaki Onsenkyo because of the distance. If you are going by car, it is easier to search for the hotel by name or phone number using your car navigation system.

How to get to Hanamaki Onsen from Tokyo by train

JR Tokyo Station → (JR Tohoku Shinkansen) → JR Shin-Hanamki Station→ (Taxi) → Hanamaki Onsen (Approx. 3 hours 20 min.)

How to get to Hanamaki Onsen from Taiwan/China

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport / Shnaghai Pudong International Airport → (Airplane) → Iwate Hanamaki Airport → (Taxi) → Hanamaki Onsen (Approx. 3 hours 55 min.)
*Flights operate from Taipei/Shanghai

A hot spring resort where you can become one with nature

Hanamaki Onsen, known as the "backcountry of Tohoku," is rich in nature and features many historic ryokan (Japanese-style inns) and hotels. Unique hot springs await to heal the fatigue of travelers. Take advantage of direct flights from Taiwan and China for an easy visit.

[Note] Pricing information and schedule are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website before your trip.