Tohoku Onsen Tour

Eight of us (seniors) will be going on onsen tour on our own in Tohoku next April. We decided on three onsens (Ginzan, Nyuto, and Aoni). Here is our itinerary and please comment.

Day 1 Arrive Tokyo (get JR East pass and send luggages ahead to Sendai)
Day 2 Travel to Ginzan & overnight stay
Day 3 Travel to Sendai
Day 4 Sightsee Sendai and Matsushima
Day 5 Travel to Hiraizumi & overnight stay
Day 6 Travel to Tsurunoyu & overnight stay
Day 7 Travel to Hirasaki & overnight stay
Day 8 Travel to Aoni Onsen & overnight stay
Day 9 Travel to Aomori or Hirasaki & overnight
Day 10 Travel to Tokyo
Day 11 Tokyo (sightseeing in Mito)
Day 12 Tokyo
Day 13 Tokyo
Day 14 Leave Tokyo for LAX

However, some of our members in the tour is afraid of going to Sendai due to recent leak of contaminated water from Fukushima reactor. Does anyone has any suggestion of options to staying in Sendai? Extra night in Tsurunoyu or Anoni? We thought 3 different onsens were sufficient but we can add another onsen.

Thanks.

I couldn't see any real worry staying in Sendai. We were there this April, and Fukushima as well, and everything seemed normal. The recent leak has people slightly worried about the seafood, so at best stay away from sashimi and sushi. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about that neither.

If you still want more onsen suggestions, consider Naruko Onsen, Zao Onsen and Akiu Onsen. Akiu Onsen could take the place of Sendai for an overnight stay as it is just a short bus ride from Sendai. Although Matsushima is not particularly famous for onsen, a stay in one of its onsen establishments facing the sea will reward you with spectacular sunrise view at dawn. Furofushi Onsen on the other hand is a popular place to stay for enjoying sunset view while dipping in a rotenburo.

To break the long journey back to Tokyo from Hirosaki, consider placing Hiraizumi coming back down south instead of going up north.

What exact dates in April are you planning for the trip? In average years the latter part of April is cherry blossom season in Tohoku and there are various specific sakura destinations worth going for if you are visiting during that time frame.

I just remembered why we will not be stopping in Hiraizumi on the way back to Tokyo. We will be buying the JR East pass, which is good for 5 days within 14 days. We will be using the pass for Tokyo-Ginzan, Hiraizumi-Tazawako, Tazawako-Hirosaki, Hirosaki-Tokyo, and Tokyo-Mito. We will be paying cash for the train tickets on other destinations.

Do you think it is worth spending extra nights in Tsurunoyu and Aoni Onsens? Or better to go to another onsen? Or spend a night in Morioka in lieu of Sendai?

Thanks for your suggestions.

We don't mind changing accommodation every day for a different experience especially if it is an onsen stay, but that really comes down on individual preference. Tsurunoyu is beautiful and by staying longer there you can go onsen hopping in Nyuto Onsen. Aoni Onsen is unique but isolate and there used to be no supply of electricity. Not sure about the situation nowadays but if it remains as before staying there for 2 nights you better come prepared especially if you have lots of electronic gadgets to tag along.

Between Morioka and Sendai I would opt for Sendai. Besides Akiu Onsen Sendai is a good base for side trip to Matsushima and Yamadera.

Depending on how many days you can spare, consider staying longer in Hiraizumi or nearby Ichinoseki so that side trips can be made to the 2 scenic gorges of Gembikei and Geibikei.

If you are going to Mito for Kairakuen I presume you like flowers and gardens. And if you are going late April, make an effort to go further up along the coast to Hitachi Seaside Park. Late April to early May is the right time for the spectacular nemophila fields there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmwj9u7nYaY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOVTVFydgok&feature=relmfu

Thanks, William5. What do you think of Matsuyama Onsen near Morioka versus Akiu Onsen?

Matsuyama is in Shikoku. Do you mean Matsukawa Onsen!? We have not been there, so couldn't comment on it.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3659.html