If you’re looking to experience a traditional Japanese ryokan, look no further than Chikusenso Onsen. It offers an oasis of rest and peace in the beautiful Zao surroundings. The service, quality of food and drink, and the onsen are all first class. We had an amazing time!
The room and food were excellent. The staff did everything they could to make our stay comfortable. I book a room with a double bed with mountain view (paid extra for) and there is no such room. If you stay there, contact the hotel directly prior to booking to make sure the room exist. The hotel understood the mistake and they were going to relocate after the second night to a new room for the last 2 nights, but it was too much trouble to move. Been to Japan over 50 times and this resort is over the top. well worth the money.
This is the highest quality Ryokan I have ever stayed in and the individual service is outstanding. However note that this is in Zao Onsen Miyagi prefecture, not the more famous Zao Onsen Yamagata prefecture. Nowhere on the hotels.com website indicate this. This is reached from Sendai, not Yamagata.
I checked in a bit late in the evening, and as I turned off the main road, my car crossed over a stone bridge suspended over a small ravine carved by the river below. That bridge really separates the Chikusenso from reality. As I parked, I was promptly greeted by a staff member with a flashlight and politely ushered into the reception area. Aesthetically, the whole hotel is a work of art. Rich with wood, stone, and tasteful art pieces to complement the different areas of the hotel, the whole place has a traditional feel, yet mixes in modernity. The best example of this is the shower area in the rooms. It's almost all stone, dark forest green with enough space to comfortably fit two. The staff is excellent and the facilities are spotless. They have outdoor, private baths with great views of the surrounding forest. A great bar, forest trails, spa, and free espresso machines in your room. You'll want for nothing in terms of modern convenience, yet leave with a feeling of traditional Japanese culture as well.
This is a pretty special place - incredibly relaxing. There's enough english speaking staff for westerners to get by, and a very capable chef on site serving multicourse breakfast/dinner.
There isn't much to do in the surrounding area, but if all you want is a quiet place to retreat and recharge this onsen is perfect.
-Once you tire of the hot baths: coffee makers, water dispensers any cozy places to read a book abound.
-If you email ahead (3days) there's a shuttle from/to the Sendai high speed rail station (leaving
-Less busy during the week
-Small gym with two treadmills and a cable machine
-Two gender segregated baths (male and female) and two preservable private baths. Our room also had a spectacular shower + tub that I felt guilty never having needed to use
-Dinner usually 5-6 courses with plenty of sashimi and delicious beef. I'm an athletic 28 year old male and I definitely didn't go hungry here.