Imagine soaking in a steaming outdoor bath as snow quietly blankets the surrounding landscape, then savoring a meal prepared with the freshest local ingredients. This is the ultimate winter indulgence that only Tohoku can offer.

Winter is the season when the region’s culinary treasures shine brightest: rich seafood from icy northern seas, hearty root vegetables, and warming nabe hot pot dishes. As one of Japan’s premier rice-growing areas, Tohoku also boasts top-quality sake and rice, the perfect complement to any meal.

Beyond the food, Tohoku is home to some of Japan’s finest hot springs. Whether it’s an open-air bath with breathtaking views, a secluded private onsen, or a historic inn with natural flowing waters, the region offers countless ways to rejuvenate body and mind.

Rooted in centuries of tradition, Tohoku’s cuisine and hospitality reflect the spirit and lifestyle of each community. Every stay is more than a getaway. It’s a journey into the heart of local culture.

In this article, I highlight eight remarkable hotels chosen for their culinary excellence, hot spring quality, and deep connection to regional culture, where the experience of staying itself becomes the highlight of your trip.

Stretching from north to south, Japan’s Tohoku region covers a wide variety of climates and landscapes.
Among them, Yamagata and Fukushima occupy the southern area, each with its own distinctive culinary and cultural traditions.

Fukushima Prefecture, the closest Tohoku destination to Tokyo, offers easy access and a unique regional cuisine, including the local pairing of fine sake with horse sashimi, a beloved delicacy in the mountain regions.

Yamagata Prefecture, meanwhile, is known for its heavy snowfall and nostalgic hot spring towns that capture the essence of old Japan. It’s also a leading producer of premium rice and wagyu beef, making it an ideal place to savor top-quality Japanese beef at a relaxing onsen inn.

Yamagata is home to one of Japan’s most famous beef brands, Yonezawa Beef, prized for its exquisite marbling and rich flavor.
When visiting Yamagata, combining a soothing hot spring stay with the indulgence of local wagyu cuisine is an experience not to be missed.
I chose the following hotels not only for their exceptional food—featuring the finest wagyu and seasonal ingredients—but also for offering guest rooms with private open-air baths, ensuring an unforgettable and luxurious stay in the heart of Tohoku.

1. Yamagata Tansen Hot Spring Hotel
Indulge in gourmet Yonezawa beef and natural hot springs, a luxurious stay at a long-established inn in Akayu

Located in Akayu Onsen—a hot spring resort with more than 900 years of history—this traditional inn is just a 10-minute drive from Akayu Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, making it easily accessible.

The highlight of a stay here is the exquisite kaiseki cuisine showcasing Yonezawa beef, famous for its tender texture and rich flavor that melts in your mouth. Because Akayu is located next to Yonezawa City, guests can enjoy genuine, high-quality Yonezawa beef at its finest.

Dinner features traditional Japanese kaiseki courses prepared with local seasonal ingredients, and additional Yonezawa beef dishes can be ordered upon request. Guests can even specify preferences such as “the highest-grade beef” or “leaner cuts.” The chefs, who are experts in Yonezawa beef, prepare each dish with great skill using a variety of cooking techniques.

The large public baths include both indoor cypress baths and open-air baths, with indoor facilities available even late at night. The inn also offers private family baths, ideal for guests traveling with children or those who prefer more privacy. For an even more indulgent experience, select a guest room with a private hot spring bath, allowing you to enjoy the natural waters anytime.

For guests seeking a little extra comfort, the standard rooms—featuring two adjoining tatami-matted Japanese-style rooms—provide a spacious and serene setting.

Guests can enjoy wearing traditional yukata robes provided by the inn. Women can choose from a variety of colors and patterns, making it a fun experience like selecting a favorite dress for the evening.

2. Onogawa Onsen Kajikaso (Yamagata Prefecture)
A tranquil hideaway where you can enjoy natural hot springs and private kaiseki dining featuring Yonezawa beef

Nestled in the mountains of Yonezawa City, Kajikaso is a hidden retreat located in Onogawa Onsen, a hot spring area with over 1,200 years of history. The onsen is famous nationwide as a “beauty bath” for its skin-smoothing qualities.

Dinner is served in private dining rooms, allowing guests to enjoy a luxurious meal featuring premium local Yonezawa beef in a relaxed and intimate setting. The menu includes multiple course options such as hot pot and grilled dishes, as well as tasting courses offering different rare cuts of beef. Guests can also pair their meal with an extensive selection of Yamagata-made sake, wines, and fruit liqueurs, a true local gastronomic experience.

The natural hot springs here are 100% free-flowing from the source, with spacious indoor baths and roofed open-air baths that allow guests to enjoy the soothing waters in any weather. The baths alternate between men’s and women’s use at different times, letting guests experience two distinct atmospheres. A private bath (available by reservation) and an outdoor footbath further enhance the onsen-hopping experience.

Among the nine types of guest rooms, the standout is the detached junior suite surrounded by a garden pond. It features tatami-floored living spaces, a bedroom, and a private open-air hot spring bath, ideal for an unhurried and peaceful getaway.

Other options include wa-modern rooms with low beds, river-view rooms, and Japanese-style rooms combining a living area with a Western-style bedroom. This variety makes it easy to find accommodations to match your travel style.

In Fukushima Prefecture, where agriculture thrives, you’ll find an abundance of rice varieties such as Koshihikari, wagyu beef, vegetables, peaches, and other fruits. The region also has unique local foods like horse sashimi, which pairs wonderfully with Japanese sake.
Staying at a hot spring inn in the mountains and savoring local gourmet dishes is pure bliss. Here, I will introduce recommended hotels in Fukushima where you can enjoy both local cuisine and relaxing hot springs.

3. Iizaka Onsen Surikamitei Ohtori (Fukushima Prefecture)
A winter retreat in Fukushima, soak in snowy hot springs, savor gourmet local cuisine, and enjoy fine sake

Located in the tranquil Iizaka Onsen area, just outside central Fukushima City, this elegant ryokan sits on spacious grounds with a Japanese garden, large communal baths, and a relaxing lounge and sake bar, perfect for unwinding indoors even during cold or snowy winter days.

The large bath area includes indoor and open-air stone baths, along with a sauna. Guests can also enjoy fun experiences such as making their own hot spring eggs or choosing from a selection of colorful yukata robes. It’s the ideal getaway for those who want to immerse themselves in the peaceful mountain atmosphere.

Dinner showcases the rich flavors of local cuisine, including premium Fukushima beef, Aizu-grown Koshihikari rice, and horse sashimi. Several dinner course options are available, such as traditional Fukushima regional dishes or premium beef-focused menus, allowing guests to experience the best of Fukushima’s seasonal ingredients.

Fukushima’s inland climate, with its clear waters and large temperature differences, produces exceptional rice. The freshly steamed Koshihikari is a must-try dish here. Guests can also order additional servings of Fukushima beef for shabu-shabu or steak.

In addition to the main dining hall, the hotel features a cozy lounge and sake bar offering an impressive lineup of sake from every brewery in Fukushima Prefecture. Breakfast is served buffet-style, featuring a variety of dishes made with fresh local vegetables, allowing guests to rediscover the simple yet delicious flavors of Fukushima produce.

A complimentary shuttle service is available by reservation from Iizaka Onsen Station. Multilingual staff (English and Chinese) are also on-site to assist international guests.

4. Aizu-Higashiyama Onsen Konjakutei (Fukushima Prefecture)
Experience authentic Japanese hospitality, soak in a private natural hot spring and stroll the town in a colorful yukata

Nestled along a quiet mountain stream, this long-established ryokan in Higashiyama Onsen offers a classic Japanese hot spring experience just 10 minutes by car from central Aizuwakamatsu, one of Fukushima’s most famous sightseeing areas. Surrounded by deep gorges and lush nature, the inn provides a serene escape from city life.

The inn boasts its own private natural spring, a rarity in the region, allowing guests to enjoy genuine gensen kakenagashi (free-flowing hot spring water). Visitors can choose from a selection of colorful yukata robes, with staff available to help with dressing, a fun way to experience Japanese culture. The ryokan is also welcoming to international guests, permitting entry to the public baths for those with tattoos due to fashion or cultural reasons.

Dinner features exquisite kaiseki cuisine made with premium wagyu beef and fresh seafood delivered daily from Toyosu Market, along with mountain delicacies such as river fish (iwana) and horse sashimi. Guests can also request additional dishes to create their own personalized dining experience.

For guests staying multiple nights, the menu on the second night changes under the “chef’s choice” (omakase) concept, ensuring variety even during extended stays. During summer, guests can dine at a special riverside terrace (kawadoko), offering a seasonal open-air dining experience unique to the inn.

Most rooms are spacious Japanese-style suites with tatami flooring. For the ultimate relaxation, choose a room with a private open-air bath filled with the inn’s natural spring water, perfect for unwinding at any time of day.

Miyagi Prefecture is the most populous area in the Tohoku region, with Sendai City—home to over one million residents—serving as its vibrant urban center.
Because people and products from all over Tohoku gather here, Sendai has become a culinary hub filled with high-quality local ingredients, excellent restaurants, and luxury hotels.

Iwate Prefecture, on the other hand, boasts rich fishing grounds along the Sanriku Coast, known for its abundant fish, crab, and shellfish. Inland areas are equally blessed, producing premium wagyu beef, rice, and fresh vegetables through thriving agriculture.

In this section, I highlight exceptional hotels in Miyagi and Iwate where gourmet travelers can indulge in unforgettable culinary experiences paired with comfortable, refined stays.

“Gyutan,” or grilled beef tongue, is one of Sendai’s most iconic local dishes, also known as Sendai Gyutan-yaki.
It originated around the 1940s, when the city hosted American military personnel after World War II. A local restaurant owner, seeking to make use of less commonly eaten beef parts, began seasoning thick slices of beef tongue with salt and grilling them over charcoal.
The result—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside—quickly became a local sensation.
Today, gyutan is considered Sendai’s soul food, loved by locals and visitors alike.
When visiting the city, tasting this beloved specialty is an essential part of the experience.

5. The Westin Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture)
Enjoy the comfort of the trusted Westin brand, savor premium wagyu and breathtaking night views from Sendai’s highest floors

Located on the 28th to 36th floors of a high-rise near Sendai Station, The Westin Sendai offers stunning panoramic views from the tallest building in the city. It’s an ideal stay for those exploring Sendai or using it as a gateway to the wider Tohoku region, only about 90 minutes from Tokyo by shinkansen.

Guest rooms feature the brand’s signature Heavenly Bed and amenities infused with soothing White Tea fragrance, bringing the signature Westin comfort to northern Japan.

The hotel features both Western and Japanese restaurants, plus a chic bar lounge. The Japanese restaurant’s teppanyaki dinner is especially popular, diners can enjoy gyutan, premium Sendai beef, and fresh Sanriku seafood grilled to perfection before their eyes. For those seeking variety, the Western dining restaurant serves seasonal courses using local Tohoku ingredients, along with lunch and afternoon tea options.

Large windows in every room frame Sendai’s cityscape and sparkling night views. Guests seeking extra comfort can upgrade to Club Floor rooms with exclusive access to the executive lounge.

Although there’s no hot spring, the hotel provides a tranquil spa open to all genders, as well as in-room treatment services. Multilingual staff fluent in English, Chinese, and Korean are available to assist international travelers.

Stretching approximately 600 kilometers across Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi Prefectures, the Sanriku Coast is renowned not only for its dramatic natural beauty but also as one of Japan’s most productive fishing areas.

This region’s rugged ria coastline—formed by a series of deeply indented bays—meets the confluence of two ocean currents, creating nutrient-rich waters that support a wide diversity of marine life.

Here, visitors can enjoy an abundance of seasonal seafood, from tuna and mackerel to oysters, scallops, sea urchin, and crab.
Along the coast, many seaside inns and resorts offer exquisite dishes prepared with the freshest local catches, paired with stunning ocean views that change with the seasons.

In this section, we introduce some of the most popular hotels along the Sanriku Coast, celebrated for their exceptional seafood cuisine.

6. Hotel Matsushima Taikanso (Miyagi Prefecture)
A scenic hot spring hotel overlooking Matsushima Bay, enjoy local seafood and sake from the Sanriku coast

Nestled in the picturesque Matsushima area—one of Japan’s most celebrated scenic destinations—Hotel Matsushima Taikanso offers a breathtaking view of over 260 small islands scattered across the tranquil bay. Guests can admire the iconic landscape from the hotel’s panoramic lounge or embark on a sightseeing cruise departing nearby.

Dining is a true highlight here. The dinner buffet features an impressive array of fresh seafood delivered straight from the Sanriku coast. Guests can choose between a Japanese–Western–Chinese buffet or a seafood-focused washoku buffet. Depending on the season, delicacies such as Sanriku oysters are served, and guests may even witness a live tuna-cutting show by skilled chefs. Pairing these dishes with local sake from Miyagi’s renowned breweries makes for an unforgettable dining experience.

Guest rooms range from ocean-view Japanese–Western rooms with tatami seating to traditional Japanese rooms evoking classic ryokan charm. Seaside rooms with sweeping views of Matsushima Bay are particularly popular, while mountain-view rooms offer a more budget-friendly option.

The large public bath area includes an indoor bath, open-air bath, and sauna, and if you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the sunrise over Matsushima Bay from the open-air bath.

A complimentary shuttle bus operates from Matsushima-Kaigan Station, and English and Chinese-speaking staff are available to assist guests, ensuring a comfortable experience even for first-time visitors to Japan’s onsen regions.

7. The Park Hotel Jodogahama (Iwate Prefecture)
A seaside retreat within a national park, savor Sanriku seafood and panoramic views of Miyako Bay

Perched atop a hill overlooking Jodogahama Beach, part of the Sanriku Fukko National Park, this elegant seaside hotel offers sweeping views of Miyako Bay. On clear mornings, guests can even witness one of Japan’s earliest sunrises from the property. A pleasant 10-minute walk leads directly to the scenic Jodogahama shoreline, perfect for a stroll between meals or soaking in the coastal scenery.

The hotel’s large public bath features a mineral hot spring using Komeiseki (lightstone) and includes both indoor and open-air baths. As you bathe, enjoy the refreshing sea breeze and the view of pine trees stretching toward the blue waters of the Sanriku coast.

Meals are served in a lavish buffet style for both breakfast and dinner. The evening buffet highlights seasonal Sanriku seafood such as Miyako crab, Ezo abalone, and the regional soup specialty Ichigo-ni (a seafood broth of whelks and sea urchin). Pair your meal with local sake from Iwate for an unforgettable experience.

Breakfast features a “build-your-own seafood bowl” station, allowing guests to top fresh sashimi over rice, along with live-cooked egg dishes and local favorites like mamebu-jiru, a sweet wheat-dumpling soup traditional to Iwate.

Guest rooms include a range of scenic options: the Royal Suite with panoramic bath, Japanese-Western twin rooms with open-air baths, and view-bath twin rooms, each offering a relaxing stay with a stunning coastal backdrop. Complimentary shuttle service from JR Miyako Station is available by reservation, making access easy and stress-free.

8. Yamanokami Onsen Yukaen (Iwate Prefecture)
Where traditional craftsmanship, fine cuisine, and healing waters meet, a timeless expression of Japan’s onsen culture

Nestled in the Hanamaki Onsenkyo area of Iwate Prefecture, Yamanokami Onsen Yukaen is a traditional hot spring retreat surrounded by tranquil mountain scenery. The ryokan is known for its vast garden and elegant Japanese architecture, meticulously crafted by Miyadaiku, master carpenters renowned for their artistry.

Inside, guests are greeted by intricate details such as coffered ceilings, finely carved sliding doors, and handcrafted ranma (transom panels). The exclusive State Guest Rooms feature a tatami living space, Western-style bedroom, sunroom, and private bath, only two of these luxurious suites exist, making early reservation essential.

Dinner showcases the chef’s dedication to quality, offering a harmonious kaiseki meal that highlights regional flavors. The menu includes Iwate wagyu, Shirokane pork, and fresh seafood from Sanriku, elegantly paired with local vegetables. Guests can also add premium upgrades such as foie gras, shark fin, or Maesawa beef for an extra touch of indulgence.

The ryokan also features a coffee lounge, karaoke room, and bar, allowing guests to enjoy a nostalgic taste of classic Japanese inn culture.

The hot spring water is rich and silky, flowing directly from the source. The property boasts one of the largest open-air baths in the Hanamaki area, along with several private family baths, perfect for guests seeking privacy and relaxation.

Complimentary shuttle service is available from JR Shin-Hanamaki Station and JR Hanamaki Station (reservation required).

Winter in Tohoku, when the air grows crisp and the snow deepens, is the perfect season to slow down and savor the region’s rich cuisine and soothing hot springs.

Blessed by abundant nature, Tohoku offers a wealth of locally sourced ingredients, distinct culinary traditions, and hot springs with unique regional character, all of which make this area a true treasure for travelers.

The hotels featured here are not just places to stay, but destinations in themselves, where experiencing local flavors and culture becomes the heart of your journey.

Once you find a place that speaks to you, your personal gourmet trip through Tohoku is complete.
Let the quiet beauty and gentle warmth of winter wrap around you, and create memories that will stay with you long after your journey ends.

Don't worry if the recommended hotels introduced in this article are fully booked. There are other attractive hotels in the Tohoku area that have received rave reviews. Why not book a hotel that suits your travel style?

Once you've decided where to stay, why not explore popular experiences during your trip to Tohoku? Book tours of popular tourist spots and activities unique to Tohoku to create unforgettable memories.