Akiu Onsen (Akiu Hot Spring)

Located along the valley of the Natori River in the western part of Sendai City, this hot spring resort town is lined with both luxury ryokan and reasonably priced inn rooms without meals.
It is easily accessible, only 30 minutes by car from downtown Sendai, and there are plenty of leisure activities in the area.
Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, canyoning, camping, and other activities in the Futakuchi-kyokoku Gorge upstream of the Natori River.

Although the date of the opening of the hot spring is unknown, its history is long, and the name "Akiu-no-sato" is mentioned in the "Kokin Wakashu" and "Shin Kokin Wakashu," (Japanese old anthology) among others.
The spring is a chloride spring, characterized by soft, low-irritant water. It has a variety of beneficial effects, but is said to be particularly effective for skin diseases.
There is a document that states that Emperor Kinmei was cured by the hot spring of Akiu when he was ill. It is one of the "Three Hot Springs of Japan" selected by the 84th Emperor Juntoku.

A 15-minute drive from Yumoto, where the hot spring resort is located, you can also visit Akiu Otaki Falls, which has a drop of 55 meters.
Selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, the seasonal beauty of nature is spectacular, from the green foliage of early summer to the autumn colors of autumn and the ink painting-like winter scenery.
The falls can be viewed from the waterfall viewing platform, but it is also possible to descend to the waterfall basin for a more dynamic view. The footing is not good up to the waterfall basin, so wear comfortable sneakers.