Base! Tohoku
The Tohoku region is filled with countless attractions that can't be fully enjoyed in just a few days.
Below are suggestions of places to stay that you can use as a base during an extended stay.
Let them serve as a launch point for your own inspiring and unforgettable experiences in Tohoku.
Recommendations for onsen resorts to use as a base during an extended stay
1. Asamushi Onsen
Facing Mutsu Bay and boasting beautiful evening views, this is considered the top onsen resort in Tohoku.
2. Towada/Oirase Kairyu Onsen
Surround yourself with beneficial negative ions and set out on a pleasant waterfront walk.
3. Tsugaru region
Tsugaru is filled with things to see! Make the most of it with a long stay.
4. Iwate Hachimantai
Experience the spectacular scenery of the majestic outdoors
5. Morioka Tsunagi Onsen
Bask in the wide-open spaces and panoramic views
6. Hanamaki Onsen Village
Twelve hot springs that flow among mountains and rivers
7. Matsushima
Immerse yourself in the intoxicatingly elegant views at one of the top 3 scenic spots in Japan
8. Akiu/Sakunami Onsen
Discover the joys of an extended stay at a curative hot springs off the beaten path in Sendai
9. Oga Onsen
The onsen village boasts scenic beauty and the traditional Namahage festival
10. Tazawako/Nyuto/Mizusawa Onsen
Enjoy an active stay with visits to different hot springs and outdoor activities
11. Tendo Onsen
Take in Japanese culture and cuisine, and wander around exploring unique historical sites
12. Zao Onsen
Admire the splendid natural scenery that changes with each season
13. Tsuchiyu/Takayu/Iizaka Onsen
How about an onsen retreat at three different hot springs?
14. Higashiyama/Ashinomaki Onsen
Revel in the outstanding atmosphere of Aizu's Okuzashiki
15. Iwaki Yumoto Onsen
An onsen close to the station with delicious fish and sake
16. Tsukioka Onsen
This onsen village offers enjoyable walks and hot springs that promote beautiful skin
17. Iwamuro Onsen
Enjoy a culinary journey with splendid views of the Sea of Japan and delicious seafood and sake.
1. Asamushi Onsen
Facing Mutsu Bay and boasting beautiful evening views, this is considered the top onsen resort in Tohoku.
Located just 15km from Aomori Station, you can enjoy a day of sightseeing in Aomori City and have plenty of time to visit Asamushi Onsen as well!
There are many famous spots in the city, like Nebuta Museum WA RASSE, Memorial Ship Hakkodamaru, and A-Factory.
Other destinations like the Sannai-Maruyama Ruins and Aomori Museum of Art are also within easy reach.
2. Towada/Oirase Kairyu Onsen
Surround yourself with beneficial negative ions and set out on a pleasant waterfront walk.
Oirase Keiryu Onsen is located at the entrance of Oirase Gorge and serves as a base for sightseeing within Oirase.
A section of the Oirase River that has been selected as one of Japan's ""precious moss forests,"" is only about 14km away. This area is perfect for a stroll since spectacular scenery can be found anywhere you walk—from moss-covered rocks and trees to the flow of the beautiful river and the dynamic Choshio Falls.
3. Tsugaru region
Tsugaru is filled with things to see! Make the most of it with a long stay.
One night is not enough to take in everything the vast and diverse Tsugaru area has to offer!
In Hirosaki, you can visit the city's famous castle, enjoy retro architecture, and sample apple pie.
Ajigasawa, situated close to the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Site, offers a wide variety of local seafood delicacies.
Savor the historical old-town atmosphere of Kuroishi and stay at the tranquil Aoni Onsen, a secluded mountain inn lit entirely by oil lamps.
In Goshogawara, take a ride on one of Tsugaru Railway's unique seasonal trains.
4. Iwate Hachimantai
Experience the spectacular scenery of the majestic outdoors
Hachimantai is a volcanic area that is home to numerous hot springs, including Toshichi Onsen, Matsukawa Onsen, and Higashi Hachimantai Onsen.
All of these hot springs have inns and bathing facilities that provide options for day trips, making it very easy to fit in a short visit to enjoy Hachimantai's bountiful hot springs and great natural beauty.
5. Morioka Tsunagi Onsen
Bask in the wide-open spaces and panoramic views
This hot spring village is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Gosho.
You can enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Iwate and the Tsunagi Bridge extending over the lake.
For a blissful experience that will soothe your soul, take a deep breath while soaking in the hot springs and gazing at the wide-open panoramic scenery.
6. Hanamaki Onsen Village
Twelve hot springs that flow among mountains and rivers
Hanamaki Onsen Village features 12 hot springs nestled along two rivers that flow through a quiet mountainous area.
From open-air baths with vistas of mountain streams to secluded inns off the beaten path, each hot springs boasts its own unique character.
With so many excellent options, selecting which ones to visit could be difficult. But exploring the abundant variety of choices is part of the fun!
7. Matsushima
Immerse yourself in the intoxicatingly elegant views at one of the top 3 scenic spots in Japan
Bathe in these famous hot springs with a spectacular view of Matsushima, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, dotted with 260 islands of various sizes.
Only those who stay overnight at the inn can enjoy can experience the bliss of soaking in a hot spring bath while gazing upon Matsushima illuminated by moonlight or the morning glow of sunrise.
Stay and see for yourself just how amazing the scenery at Matsushima can be.
8. Akiu/Sakunami Onsen
Discover the joys of an extended stay at a curative hot springs off the beaten path in Sendai
Known as the ""City of Trees,"" Sendai strikes the perfect balance between city and nature.
The Akiu/Sakunami Onsen area is just a 30-50 minute drive from Sendai.
This location is a perfect retreat from busy modern life--close to the city but still full of the dynamic sounds of nature.
9. Oga Onsen
The onsen village boasts scenic beauty and the traditional Namahage festival
This hot spring village is located on the northern part of the Oga Peninsula.
The area is home to the ""Namahage of Oga,"" recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Located close to the Oga Onsen Village are the Namahage Museum and the Oga Mayama Folklore Museum--two must-visit destinations that allow you to experience the culture of Namahage.
10. Tazawako/Nyuto/Mizusawa Onsen
Enjoy an active stay with visits to different hot springs and outdoor activities
Nyuto Onsen Village is something of a hidden gem. There are seven resorts scattered around the foot of a mountain, each with its own unique source. In total, there are more than ten different types of hot springs and a wide variety of spring qualities.
Shuttles and passes make it easy to do a seven-bath tour, stopping at each of springs.
Surrounded by a virgin beech forest, soaking in hot springs water that has just bubbled up from the depths of the earth, you will feel the calming power of Mother Nature.
Experience the different colors, scents, and textures of springs at all seven resorts and figure out which is your favorite.
11. Tendo Onsen
Take in Japanese culture and cuisine, and wander around exploring unique historical sites
Tendo is a town famous for shogi, or Japanese chess.
Motifs of shogi playing pieces can be found all over town on sidewalks, footbaths, manhole covers, and bridges.
Have fun looking for shogi pieces while strolling around this unique hot spring town.
You can even make your own shogi piece and choose a Chinese character to write on it with ink and brush.
12. Zao Onsen
Admire the splendid natural scenery that changes with each season
Zao is known best for its ice-coated trees and ski resorts. But there's more to enjoy there than just winter.
There is tons of fun to be had in spring and summer, too, whether it's ropeway rides, trekking, or soaking in an open-air bath surrounded by nature at Zao Onsen.
Ride the ropeway during foliage season in autumn to get a bird's-eye view of the orange and yellow leaves below.
13. Tsuchiyu/Takayu/Iizaka Onsen
How about an onsen retreat at three different hot springs?
Try a longer retreat-style stay a hot spring. Better yet, why not take an ""onsen workcation"" that lets you rejuvenate your body while still getting some work done?
All located in the vicinity of Fukushima City, Tsuchiyu Onsen, Takayu Onsen, and Iizaka Onsen are perfect destinations for today's professionals.
Take the Shinkansen to Fukushima, and the resort is just an easy 20-40 minute train or bus ride away.
This convenient access makes it easy to take an onsen workcation.
14. Higashiyama/Ashinomaki Onsen
Revel in the outstanding atmosphere of Aizu's Okuzashiki
"With its rows of inns along the river, Higashiyama Onsen is suffused with a nostalgic atmosphere.
Traditional performances from Aizu Higashiyama geigi (geisha) enliven the evenings at the hot spring inns.
You can experience singing, dancing, and a traditional ozashiki party, all of which are sure to make for an exceptional time."
15. Iwaki Yumoto Onsen
An onsen close to the station with delicious fish and sake
After traveling a little over two hours from Tokyo and then taking a single limited express train, you will arrive at Yumoto Station and find yourself right in the middle of a hot spring town. This is the "Hula Town" where the movie "Hula Girl" was filmed.
Soak in the footbath in front of the station, examine a map to plan a walk around town, and then go to lunch.
The Iwaki coast has abundant fishing grounds and a reputation for delicious fish. They pair excellently with local sake.
16. Tsukioka Onsen
This onsen village offers enjoyable walks and hot springs that promote beautiful skin
Tsukioka Onsen is distinguished by its rare, emerald-green sulfur spring water.
Heralded as a hot spring that will make you more beautiful, it is a popular destination for women. At the same time, it also has a reputation as a hot spring town where it is fun to take walks.
There are numerous eating and drinking establishment that offer everything from sake and local beer to smoothies and gelato. With so many options for sampling food and drink, you're certain to enjoy your stroll through town.
17. Iwamuro Onsen
Enjoy a culinary journey with splendid views of the Sea of Japan and delicious seafood and sake.
Believed to the be the first shrine established in Echigo, Yahiko Shrine has long attracted worshippers and is known affectionately as ""Oyahiko-sama"" among locals.
From long ago, Iwamuro Onsen has been used by many pilgrims and travelers as a base for worshipping at the shrine.
The shrine grounds, covered with trees, is suffused with a sacred atmosphere and is popularly known as a ""power spot.""
Visit the shrine after cleansing your body at Iwamuro Onsen. If you arrive early in the morning when there are few people, you will be able to savor the shrine's solemn atmosphere.
Enjoy a premium experience in Tohoku
Enjoy a richer and more meaningful visit to Tohoku.
Try a premium Tohoku experience that's perfect for you.