Onsen and Sento Recommendations in Sendai

We recently got a request from one of our readers regarding onsen or sento in Sendai, so we thoughts we'd share the information we found with everyone in an article here! Unfortunately it doesn't seem like there are really any Onsen spots in downtown Sendai. The list we've comprised isn't in the downtown area but is still close enough that it shouldn't require a day trip. Also, it's a little bit of a journey, but if you make a day trip to Akiu, there are a LOT more great spots over there. We've left the Akiu Onsen spots out of this list since there are quite a lot of resources online already in English, but I can ask my colleague for her Akiu Onsen recommendations too if you'd like. She loves Onsen and knows of all the great places!

Here are her recommendations (not including Akiu Onsen):

1) Spa Yamabiko (やまびこの湯)

This onsen has beautiful outdoor stone baths (rotenburo 露天風呂) as well as quite a few large indoor baths too, including salt water baths, massage baths, and baths with various nutrients and health benefits. Since it's a spa, there is also a sauna! This onsen is specifically marketed towards women and has a lot of amenities for families too. There's even a free napping area available exclusively for women.

Entry Fee (Adults): 800 yen (discounts: 600 yen between 7am and 10am and 500 yen every 26th of the month!)

Acces: Take the bus for Shokei Gakuin University via Shindonishitaga (尚絅学院大（新道西多賀経由）) from the East Exit of Nagamachi Station (長町駅東口) until Shindonishitaga Gochome (新道西多賀5丁目). From here it's just a 1 minute walk to the onsen.

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E6%97%A5%E5%B8%B0%E3%82%8A%E6%B8%A9%E6%B5%B4%E6%96%BD%E8%A8%AD+%E3%82%84%E3%81%BE%E3%81%B3%E3%81%93%E3%81%AE%E6%B9%AF/@38.219414,140.8467629,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x5f8a2610b3b950a5:0x673b2947f69077fe!4m5!3m4!1s0x5f8a270b50ea14eb:0x1b835851ffeb1c7!8m2!3d38.219414!4d140.8489516

Official Website (Japanese): https://spa-yamabiko.jp/

2) Hot Water of Oedo Onsen Monogatari Sendai Korona (大江戸温泉物語 仙台コロナの湯)

This onsen also has 4 incredible rotenburo outdoor onsen, indoor onsen, and a sauna. It also has a unique "bedrock bath" which is supposed to allow your body to rid itself of toxins through sweat while lying down on a warm stones. Close to the onsen are the Sendai Uminomori Aquarium, the Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port (三井アウトレットパーク 仙台港), and the Sendai Korona World games and amusement center which includes a cinema, bowling, karaoke, a game center, and more!

Entry Fee (Adults): 720 yen

Access: From Sendai Station, take the JR Senseki Line (仙石線) to Rikuzen-Takasago Station (陸前高砂駅) or the Tozai Line　(東西線) to Arai Station (荒井駅). Unfortunately from both stations, you have to take a taxi to the venue (10 minutes).

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hot+water+of+Oedo+Onsen+Monogatari+Sendai+corona/@38.2602415,140.9692799,15z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0xe88940ff294ea2bd!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d38.2602415!4d140.9692799
Official Website (Japanese): https://korona.ooedoonsen.jp/

3) Aquaignis Sendai

This onsen is more modern and has an indoor onsen, a dry sauna, and a library/café. Located in the Wakabayashi Ward, which was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the beautiful natural landscape of the Fujitsuka got completely wiped away. Aquaignis Sendai is an attempt to revitalize the area and add beauty back where it was once lost.

Entry Fee (Adults): 750 yen

Access: From Sendai Station, take the Tozai Line　(東西線) to Arai Station (荒井駅) and from there there is a shuttle bus by the South Exit 1 to the venue (according to the website it should be a 25 minute trip).

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aquaignis+sendai/@38.1843304,140.9531843,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5f8a20df2e91e0af:0x54536284a989a4fd!8m2!3d38.1843304!4d140.955373

Official Website (English!): https://aquaignis-sendai.jp/en/

4) Hana no Yu (花の湯)

This one is actually a sento and is very reminiscent of traditional Japan from the Showa era. From the entrance alone there is clear separation between men and women. Women can enter through the main front entrance while men have to go through a side entrance on the right side of the building. It's a very small establishment (it looks like there might be just one bath), especially compared with the other places mentionned above.

Entry Fee (Adults): 440 yen

Access: A 15 minute walk from Toshogu Station (東照宮駅)

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E3%80%92980-0001+Miyagi,+Sendai,+Aoba+Ward,+Nakae,+1-ch%C5%8Dme%E2%88%9220%E2%88%9223+%E8%8A%B1%E3%81%AE%E6%B9%AF/@38.2743766,140.8898489,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5f89879a84ebaf5f:0x7884cd2ffc2cc6bc!8m2!3d38.2743766!4d140.8920376

Official Website (Japanese): https://hananoyu-nakaesendai.jimdofree.com/
 

Details

Official Page (Japanese): strikingly.com

Time/Hours: 10:00–16:00 

Entry Fee: None ¥

Location: Jozenji Dori Green Belt, Downtown Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

Written by Catrina Sugita
_{Writer & 2022 Editor-in-Chief}