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 Most travelers to Japan will only think of Japan
as a country with tall skyscrapers and high-tech
industries but one of the most unique features
found in this lovely country are places that are
authentic, organic, human, historic, refined and
natural which are waiting to be discovered. One of the
most sought after attractions in Japan are
classic inns which can be found throughout the
country that have maintained and refreshed their
thatched roofs, their bold wood beams and their
fragrant tatami floors. These inns are known as
ryokan which are mostly found in settings of
historic significance or luxuriant natural
beauty and comes with the famous onsen baths.
Visitors staying at these onsen ryokan are able
to achieve a Photo:
Saryo Soen in Akiu Onsen
tremendous and unforgettable spa
experience. One of the most popular inns for a
hot natural spring baths in Akiu is at Saryo Soen,
a garden teahouse located on six-and-a-half
acres of land, owned by Shuichi Yamao who comes
from the same family that has provided guests
lodging at the esteemed 171-room Mitoya ryokan,
Hotel New Mitoya, which is also located in the
spectacular Akiu Onsen region. Saryo Soen is
located in Sendai, the largest Japanese city in
the northern part of Japan.
This famous
attraction, known for its great onsen waters
which is known to have healing powers, was
opened in 1991 and all efforts has been put in
by its owner to make this exclusive ryokan as
one of the top onsen ryokan in Japan. One of its
most famous guest here was the ex-Prime Minister
of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, who is
also known as the Father of Development of
Malaysia. At Saryo Soen, guest can choose from
twenty-six specially designed rooms whereby
there is even a Western bed in one of the rooms.
Ten of the rooms are not housed within the
two-storey main building and these rooms have
their own private rotenburo as well as indoor
baths. Seen here at Saryo Soen are two communal
baths, one for men and the other for women.
Guests staying at the rooms here will find each
out that each room has their unique designs. The
tea-ceremony architecture is made up of
butter-hued Japanese cypress and cleverly makes
full use of the glass picture windows to let in
natural lighting and incorporate the backdrop of
nature with the most precious of inn artwork.
The Saryo Soen is a place that focus on detail
and presentation which is even shown during the
inn's breakfasts and dinners arrangements.
Traveling from Tokyo
by Shinkansen will take less than two hours to
get to Sendai. The Akiu Hot Springs along the
Natori River is located about forty-minutes
drive away from Sendai Station. The spring waters is
known to have cured a sick emperor more than
1,500 years ago and up to today, its therapeutic
salt waters are used to cure arthritis and
lower-back pain. Besides rejuvenating your body
and mind, a famous tourist attraction nearby is
Matsushima, a bay with one of Japan's 'three
most famous views'. Another place of interest to
take note is the Zuiganji Temple, a Zen Temple,
an architectural national treasure which is over
900-years old. The best time to travel to Sendai
is during the month of August when the Tanabata
Festival is held from the 6th to the 8th of August
annually. The celebration is about the Weaver
and the Herdsman, the stars Vega and Altair, who
are reunited for the one time in the year by a
bridge of magpies spreading over the Milky Way.
Even without this grand event, your trip will be
more than worthwhile by just soaking yourself in
the bubbling open-air pools and becoming part of
a world that is distinctly Japanese. Use this
travel guide to see more famous onsen ryokan.
Located at :
Akiu-cho,
Taihaku-ku,
Sendai-shi,
Miyagi-ken
982-0241,
Japan.
Telephone :
81 (0)223 98 2311
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