竹泉荘 Chikusenso Onsen

9.7

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.7/10, based on 225 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	竹泉荘 Chikusenso Onsen Current ryokan	9.7/10	225
🥈 2nd	Komatsu-kan Kofu-tei	9.2/10	1,097
🥉 3rd	Tokinenoyado Yunushi Ichijoh	9.2/10	56
4th	THE YUKAWA Ichijoh Branch	9.2/10	39
5th	Sakunami Onsen Yuzukushi Salon Ichinobo	8.9/10	533
6th	Matsushima Koumura	8.9/10	325
7th	Matsushima Ichinobo	8.9/10	277
8th	Minami Sanriku Hotel kanyo	8.8/10	2,207
9th	TAOYA Akiu	8.8/10	1,347
10th	Saryo Souen	9.7/10	8
11th	Shinyu Onsen Kurikomaso	8.8/10	65
12th	Yumoto Kissho	8.6/10	1,025
13th	Kaze no Sawa	10.0/10	1
14th	Sakan	8.4/10	722
15th	Simamegurinoyado Sakai	8.4/10	152
16th	Ryokusuitei, source Kagari-bi à Sendai Akiu Onsen	8.4/10	0
17th	Ryokan Sanjirō, l’auberge du kappa	8.3/10	402
18th	Akiu Fuga	8.1/10	189
19th	Rantei	8.0/10	1,052
20th	Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Kounkaku	7.8/10	865
21st	Shintomi-tei	7.6/10	373
22nd	Sansatei	7.5/10	220
23rd	Hotel New Mitoya	7.3/10	64
24th	Hotel Kameya	7.5/10	503
25th	soraichi	4.0/10	215

Check-in from 3:00 PM

Mountain Setting Forest Surroundings Countryside Escape Garden Setting Hot Spring Town Private Onsen

Location

989-0916 Miyagi, Zao, Togatta Onsen Aza Uwanohara 88-11, Japan

Staff 9,7/10

Facilities 9,8/10

Cleanliness 10,0/10

Comfort 10,0/10

Value for money 9,1/10

Location 9,0/10

Verified Zao SettingMatched to Togatta Onsen, Zao, Miyagi at 88-11 Uwanohara.

Mountain NatureSet at the foot of Mt. Zao with calm forested surroundings.

Private Source OnsenHot spring bathing is a core draw, with water from a private source.

Kaiseki DiningMulti-course Japanese meals highlight regional produce and seafood from Miyagi.

Spacious RoomsRooms are noted for generous space, and some include private baths.

Sendai Access SupportHelpful access from Sendai, including shuttle support around Togatta Onsen.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsDining and onsen are the main stay-length drivers here: arrive for check-in, baths and kaiseki dinner, then use the next day for a town walk or Zao scenic stop before moving on.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a high-end onsen retreat near Togatta Onsen for 1–2 nights, not as a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Car helps a lotThe ryokan is outside the main Yunomachi bus stop area, so luggage and day touring are easier with a car.

Not a dense baseThe immediate area supports a short nature-and-onsen stay, but not many consecutive full sightseeing days.

Seasonal mountain accessZao summit and Okama access can be limited outside the road-open season, reducing second-day outing options.

Kamajin (on-site)

on-site

Named on-site Japanese restaurant for kaiseki-style meals.

Soba Suiryotei (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Nearby soba spot listed in the Togatta Onsen area.

Soba Kunpu (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Another nearby soba restaurant in the Togatta Onsen map area.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Useful access points Stations, stops, airports and practical travel advice.

Best way to arrive For most travelers, arrive at JR Shiroishi-Zaō Station and continue by taxi or a locally checked bus connection into Togatta Onsen. If flying, Sendai Airport is the most useful airport, typically followed by rail or bus toward the Zao/Togatta area and then a short taxi for the final approach.

JR Shiroishi Stationstation
14 kmabout 35–45 min by taxiabout 45–65 min by local bus or combined bus/taxi, best checked locally
Useful if you are approaching on conventional JR lines rather than Shinkansen. It can work well for budget-conscious travelers, but onward connections should be checked carefully.
JR Shiroishi-Zaō Stationstation
14 kmabout 35–45 min by taxiabout 50–70 min by local bus or combined bus/taxi, best checked locally
Best rail gateway for many visitors arriving by Tohoku Shinkansen. Usually the most practical station if you want the shortest onward road transfer to the ryokan.
Togatta Shogakko Mae Bus Stopbus
340 mabout 12–20 min on footabout 3–6 min by taxi
Potentially useful for some local bus patterns in Togatta, but generally less straightforward than the main onsen-area stops. Best used only if it matches your local route.
Togatta Onsen Bus Stopbus
530 mabout 10–20 min on foot depending on luggage and slopeabout 3–5 min by taxi
A strong final public transport drop-off within the hot spring town. Walking may be manageable with light bags, but a short taxi is easier with luggage or in poor weather.
Togatta Onsen Kami-no-Yu Bus Stopbus
560 mabout 10–20 min on foot depending on route and luggageabout 3–5 min by taxi
Another useful in-town bus stop near the core Togatta Onsen area. Good fallback point if your service stops here rather than at the main Togatta Onsen stop.
Sendai Airportairport
31 kmabout 1 hr 5 min–1 hr 30 min by car, depending on conditionsoften about 2–3 hr via airport rail, mainline or Shinkansen, then bus or taxi
The most useful airport for this ryokan. Best for domestic flights and practical onward travel via Sendai or Shiroishi, though the last segment to Togatta Onsen is usually easier by taxi.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Private onsen feel in many room typesThis property is especially appealing if you want a more secluded bathing experience, as its suites are known for private onsen access in addition to the shared baths. That makes it a strong fit for couples or travelers who value privacy.
Forest setting at the foot of Mt. ZaoThe ryokan stands in a large wooded setting rather than in a dense hot-spring town strip, so the atmosphere feels calm, secluded, and resort-like. It suits guests looking for silence, fresh air, and a nature-forward stay.
Strong onsen facilities beyond the public bathsBesides indoor and outdoor gender-separated baths, the property also offers private outdoor baths by reservation. This gives guests more variety than a ryokan with only one standard communal bath area.
Upscale resort comfort with ryokan characterChikusenso blends Japanese ryokan elements with a modern luxury resort style, so it works well for travelers who want traditional ambience without giving up spacious comfort. It can feel easier for first-time ryokan guests than a very old-fashioned inn.
Good base for a restorative Zao stayIts Togatta Onsen location makes it well suited to travelers planning a slow wellness-focused trip around the Zao area rather than just a one-night stop. The overall experience is geared more toward relaxation and lingering on property.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not the easiest stay without planning transportThe property is in Togatta Onsen in Zao, not next to a major train station, so reaching it usually takes extra bus, taxi, or car planning. If you want a simple walk-from-station ryokan, this is not the most convenient choice.
Luxury pricing may feel steepThis is positioned as an upscale resort-style onsen stay, so rates are likely to be much higher than standard regional ryokans. Travelers mainly looking for a simple hot-spring night may find it hard to justify the premium.
More resort-like than intimate old ryokanIf you specifically want a small, deeply traditional, family-run inn atmosphere, Chikusenso may feel more polished and hotel-like. Its appeal leans toward refined comfort rather than rustic nostalgia.
Quiet surroundings can feel too isolatedThe peaceful forest setting is a plus for some guests, but others may find it too self-contained, especially at night. Travelers who enjoy strolling through a lively onsen town with lots of shops and casual eateries may prefer a more central base.
Best value depends on using the facilitiesBecause the experience centers on the baths, private onsen options, and slow resort time, the stay can feel less worthwhile if you arrive late or leave early. It is better suited to guests who will actually spend time enjoying the property.

Current position: 1st out of 25 ryokans in Miyagi.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	竹泉荘 Chikusenso Onsen Current ryokan	9.7/10	225
🥈 2nd	Komatsu-kan Kofu-tei	9.2/10	1,097
🥉 3rd	Tokinenoyado Yunushi Ichijoh	9.2/10	56
4th	THE YUKAWA Ichijoh Branch	9.2/10	39
5th	Sakunami Onsen Yuzukushi Salon Ichinobo	8.9/10	533
6th	Matsushima Koumura	8.9/10	325
7th	Matsushima Ichinobo	8.9/10	277
8th	Minami Sanriku Hotel kanyo	8.8/10	2,207
9th	TAOYA Akiu	8.8/10	1,347
10th	Saryo Souen	9.7/10	8
11th	Shinyu Onsen Kurikomaso	8.8/10	65