2024 Osaki Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

[Miyagi] Beautiful spots to see autumn leaves starting to change color

Visited on 2022.10.20 Naruko Gorge in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture A 100-meter-deep canyon carved by the Otani River✨ The green is beautiful from spring to summer, and from mid-October to mid-November every year, the leaves turn red and yellow🍁 They were just starting to turn, but it was very beautiful😊 If you want to take a photo with the train, it's best to check the time before visiting✨ *Naruko Gorge #Autumn trip#Autumn leaf spot#Autumn leaf viewing

Naruko Tourism: Onsen Shrine

Onsen Shrine, located in Naruko Onsen, is a shrine that prays for the tranquility of the land and the hot springs. The divine virtue of the god of hot springs is good health and the absence of illness. According to ancient traditions, bathing in the hot springs and visiting the shrine is said to bless one with children and ensure a safe childbirth. Onsen Shrine is revered as a shrine that prays for family safety, good health, fertility, safe childbirth, and the growth of children. It is considered a related shrine to the Yujinja Shrine of Dogo Onsen in Ehime, the Yujinja Shrine of Arima Onsen in Hyogo, the Yujinja Shrine of Nasu Onsen in Tochigi, and the Onsen Shrine of Yumoto Onsen in Fukushima, with a particularly deep connection to the Tamatsukuri Yujinja Shrine in Shimane.

Naruko Onsen trip

#CarTrip In Naruko Onsen, behind the city hall branch, there is a free parking lot for those who want to go on a hot spring tour of the hot spring town. From here, you can walk to each hot spring facility and the shopping district. It is only because of the hot spring tour ticket and the support of these tourist facilities that customers walk to the hot spring town. By the way, the foot bath at this hot spring tour parking lot smells of sulfur from afar, and there is a hot spring tower next to the parking lot, and steam is rising from it, and the source spring water flows directly from there through a wooden gutter without being diluted. Next to it is Naruko Onsen Yumeguri Hiroba (Hand Bath) Naruko Onsen Yumeguri Hiroba (Hand Bath) A corridor in the center of Naruko Onsen town. At the end of the corridor is a rare hand bath. Anyone can easily touch it, so please come and experience it.

Naruko Kokeshi Festival

The 'National Kokeshi Festival' is held annually in Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. Six invited craftsmen demonstrate kokeshi doll making, and there are exhibitions, sales, and kokeshi painting experiences. Special exhibitions of 'small kokeshi' and dedicated kokeshi dolls are also displayed. Additionally, the 33rd Naruko Lacquerware Exhibition and the 40th Anniversary Commemoration of the Sister City Partnership between Osaki City and Taito Ward, featuring Edo Downtown Craftsmen, will be held at the same venue. Outside the venue, local gourmet foods, local products, and kokeshi-related goods and merchandise are sold. The town comes alive on Kokeshi Day☆彡 Please take this opportunity to visit Naruko Onsen! [Venue] Naruko Elementary School Gymnasium and Naruko Onsen Town

Naruko Gorge Walking Trail.

Famous for its autumn foliage, Naruko Gorge and its geysers that make you feel the breath of the earth are just some of the many spots where you can experience the grandeur of nature. The area is also rich in leisure facilities such as ski resorts and golf courses, allowing you to fully enjoy the highland resort. From mid-October to early November, the 100-meter-deep gorge carved by the Otani River is covered in autumn leaves. The view from the observation deck at Naruko Gorge Rest House is truly spectacular. Nearby is the 2.2km-long Osawa Walking Trail. Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM For walks, please use the Osawa Walking Trail and Nakayamadaira Walking Trail.

Naruko Gorge Walking Trail

Naruko Gorge, a grand canyon formed by the erosion of the Otani River in northern Miyagi Prefecture. The cliffs reach heights of 80 to 100 meters, stretching approximately 4 kilometers in length. The narrowest point is about 10 meters wide, forming a V-shaped valley, while the widest point is about 100 meters, forming a U-shaped valley. Enjoy the fresh greenery in spring and the vibrant autumn leaves at Naruko Gorge! The Naruko Gorge Rest House is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Naruko Gorge is 4 km from Naruko Onsen Station on the JR Rikuu East Line and 2 km from Nakayamadaira Onsen Station. Currently, there are no bus services, so please come by car! "Naruko Gorge Walking Trail Nakayamadaira Entrance" It's about a 350-meter one-way walk from the Naruko Gorge Rest House (round trip). Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Hotel Kameya

#japantrip This place was incredible! The baths were hot and very therapeutic. It was a superior experience for my family. The staff truly went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and welcomed. They shared so much with us about the town. It was truly special. Plus, the food was so delicious, breakfast and dinner! One of the best stays I have had in Japan.overall awesome

Nakajo Mall Ura Beach

#thingstodo 🏖🏝I loved this beach because you can make bonfires on the beach and walk into the grocery store right next to it (called the English camp for some strange reason) and buy s’mores stuff for cheap. The water was cold when I went and there is no jelly fish net so you need to be careful if you’re swimming 🏊♂️ . Also, I was playing with the volleyball 🏐 and there are 🗿a lot of large rocks and stones in the sand at places that hurt your feet so be careful. Their are so many beautiful sea shells here though and it’s a quite little beach that you can go to with friends. Also, the mermaid 🧜🏻♀️🧜🏼statues are pretty and you should get some pictures with them. Oh. And there is a swing on the beach too. However, there is some construction going on so it’s not very picture perfect, but it’s nice for beach bonfires. ✨ 🔥

Travel to Northeast Japan: A Century-Old Inn at Naruko Onsen, Oonuma, and Autumn Leaves at Naruko Gorge

When the camera shutter rang crisply in front of the Oonuma Inn, time was frozen on that sunny and warm morning. I sat on the bench in front of the inn with the fifth-generation owner and his 80-year-old mother, who personally made me matcha tea. It was like stepping into a scene from a Japanese drama, and it was the most unforgettable moment of my first trip to Northeast Japan. In Naruko Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture, known for its hot springs, there are numerous hot springs of various sizes and characteristics. The Oonuma Inn at Naruko Onsen, which has a history of 120 years, is a popular choice for many people, and many Chinese people often come here to bathe. Their most famous hot spring pool, Mother's Bath, is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a history of 1200 years, and is one of the three famous springs in Oshu. Mother's Bath is located in the mountains behind the inn, and you can walk there or take the inn's car, which is only a two or three minute drive. In the tourist promotion posters of Miyagi Prefecture, there is a picture taken at Mother's Bath. When I arrived here, walking on the stone path covered with autumn leaves and listening to the sound of the stream, I was instantly moved by the vivid scene in front of me. A small house nestled in the mountains, red and yellow maple leaves dancing in the wind, and the misty air all have a magical power that makes people forget the world and feel peaceful. In addition to Mother's Bath in the mountains, there are also many hot spring pools in the inn that you can enjoy. The room I stayed in this time is called "Pine" and is located on the second floor. It was upgraded in February 2023 while maintaining its original Japanese style, and it is very comfortable to live in. Staying here, it is not to be missed to taste the authentic kaiseki cuisine, and the medicinal hot pot is the signature dish here. The hot spring tofu and hot spring eggs for breakfast are also unforgettable. When the leaves turn red, even the wind that blows carries a bit of poetic romance. The autumn colors of the Naruko Forest are the most beautiful gift this season gives us. There are trains that shuttle through the Naruko Gorge, and it is a pity that I did not capture its figure this time, but the quiet beauty of every rock and tree in the gorge is enough to comfort me. Standing under a tree that is said to have been transported from Kyoto, looking up at the red leaves swaying in the sun, I feel an indescribable comfort and joy. It seems that those red leaves are telling the wonders of nature, interpreting the beauty and changes of life. In fact, the surprises Miyagi Prefecture gave me started as soon as I got off the plane in Sendai. In the commercial complex Aquaignis, which is a ten-minute drive from the airport, there are award-winning coffee and desserts in the world. The white chocolate dessert from Confiture H is soulful. On the way to Naruko Onsen in Osaki City, you will also pass ALA DATENA Road Station, which is similar to a highway service area, but the products sold here are quite rich, just like a medium-sized supermarket. Especially the famous products from various counties in the northeast made me dazzled, and the chocolate from Hokkaido is also very popular here. Speaking of the name Miyagi, I only knew the anime character Ryo Miyagi from Slam Dunk. This time I came to Miyagi Prefecture in Japan and personally experienced its charm. If I have time again, I will definitely come back here for a secret hot spring trip.

Hotel Kameya

#weekendgetaways The customer service is good and the rooms are clean. The toilet paper was embossed, but the toilet did not have a washlet. The hotel is located on Route 118. If you are coming from down, you can enter directly, but if you are coming from up, there is a median strip, so you cannot enter directly and have to take a detour. The road leading to the hotel is also narrow, so it's best to check the map before coming. I am giving it 4 stars because of the difficulty in using it.overall it good

Hotel Kameya

#2024wish Hotel Kameya offers Japanese-style accommodations with relaxing public indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths. An indoor hot-spring bath with large windows and mountain views is available on the 6th floor. A free shuttle is available from JR Naruko Onsen Train Station, which is also a 15-minute walk away.overall this place is awesome when u go in winter season

Stunning autumn view in Japan!

#freehotelstay #japan #autumn Planning a trip to Japan during autumn? Why not stop by the photogenic attraction Naruko Onsen? These photo are taken from Naruko Gorge, it’s 10 minutes drive from Naruko Onsen station. There’s shuttle bus running during the Autumn season. Naruko Onsen station are cover by the JR pass, you do not need to pay if you own a JR pass! Many photographers will stop by early to get a spot to catch the train photo coming out from the tunnel.

[Miyagi] A hot spring resort with cute Kokeshi dolls

Visited in April 2023 *Naruko Onsenkyo 989-6823 Naruko Onsen Yumoto, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture A rice-producing area in northern Miyagi Prefecture Located upstream of the Eai River that flows through the Osaki region A large hot spring resort consisting of five hot spring areas♨️ Naruko Onsen is famous as one of the three famous hot springs in Oshu😊 There are many cute kokeshi dolls in the hot spring town Even the postbox was a kokeshi☺️ There are also Takinoyu, Waseda Sanshikiyu, and a foot bath at the station It is a hot spring town that can be enjoyed even on a day trip✨ #Hot spring trip#Naruko Onsen #Hot spring town #Hot spring #Kokeshi #Kokeshi town#Domestic travel

After breakfast, we drove to Numazu Expressway and passed the Starbucks coffee at Fujikawa Rest Station on the Tomei Expressway. This is another great place to enjoy Mount Fuji. You can also buy a Fujiyama limited cup here, and watch the beautiful Mt. Fuji come back for a cup of coffee, leaving a photo with great commemorative value.

Located in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Naruko Gorge is a 100-meter-long V-shaped canyon formed by river erosion, with 2.5 km of cliffs and clear streams. The sounding gorge has many white tuffs that expose the surface, as well as strange rock formations such as the worm rock, the couple rock, the Zhaoqing rock and the screen rock. There are many kinds of trees such as maples and pine trees in the mountains. The red leaves of the mountains are dazzling, and green and golden yellow are dotted among them. Streams, waterfalls, canyons, promenades, and beautiful scenery make you linger. This is indeed a good place to shoot maple leaves. Various red, yellow, green, and blue, the whole is a large palette.