Kai Akiu, a hot spring inn in Miyagi's Akiu Onsen, will hold "Warm Hot-Spring Footbath Kotatsu Stay" (源泉足湯こたつでぬくもり滞在) from December 14, 2026, through March 31, 2027, as a way to stay warm and well through the winter by reviving Date Masamune's own cold-weather ingenuity for the present day. Drawing on the inn's abundant hot spring source, the plan is designed to let guests savor the crisp winter air outdoors, even in a season when the cold tends to keep people indoors. Inspired by Date Masamune's approach to staying warm, three experiences—a hot-spring footbath kotatsu, hot sake, and warming stones known as onjaku—are offered together in the riverside lounge (せせらきラウンジ). Wrapped in Tohoku's winter scenery, the plan pairs the steam of the hot spring with sake for a dashing, Date-style moment.
Feature 1: A Dashing Moment at the "Hot-Spring Footbath Kotatsu," Fed by the Inn's Own Source
The cover draped over the kotatsu is patterned after the polka-dot design of Date Masamune's jinbaori (sleeveless battle coat).
A new "hot-spring footbath kotatsu," fed by the inn's own hot spring source, debuts on the terrace of the riverside lounge. The kotatsu—a piece of furniture that dates back to the Muromachi period—is reimagined here with the heat of the hot spring, in keeping with the inn's onsen heritage. Its cover is patterned after the jinbaori of Date Masamune, who was known for his refined sense of style. With the quiet murmur of the stream behind them and the crisp, cold winter air pressing in, guests can warm their feet while savoring the luxurious contrast between cold and warmth.
Spring quality: Sodium-calcium chloride spring
Effects: Muscle pain, peripheral circulatory disorders, poor circulation, fatigue recovery, autonomic nervous system instability, insomnia, depressive symptoms, and more
Feature 2: Stay Even Warmer with "Hot-Spring Warmed Sake" (源泉熱燗), Local Sake Heated Over a Hibachi
Soaking in the hot spring while sipping warmed sake—the ultimate combination for warming the body from the inside out.
During the Warring States period, hot sake also served as a way to endure the harsh cold. In a nod to Date Masamune, who was known to enjoy sake, the plan serves warmed sake from Katsuyama Shuzo (勝山酒造), a sake brewery long favored by the Date family. A pot set over a hibachi holds sake immersed in the inn's own hot spring water, warming gently amid rising steam. With a cup of hot sake in hand inside the kotatsu, guests can relax deeply as warmth spreads from the inside out. The combination of a hot spring and warmed sake offers a heartfelt way to warm up on a cold day.
Feature 3: Warming Stones Called "Onjaku," Heated in Akiu's Hot Spring, Paired with the "Donbuku" Winter Coat
Guests can also try onjaku, a warming item that dates back to the Heian period, heated in Akiu's own hot spring water and used like a modern hand warmer. The spring's source temperature is 60 degrees Celsius. Guests scoop up a stone gently warmed by that heat with a ladle, place it in a drawstring pouch, and tuck it inside their clothing. When heading out to the terrace, guests wear a donbuku, a traditional winter coat from the Tohoku region of Miyagi, to ward off the cold. Through this old-fashioned wisdom, even Akiu's harsh winter cold can feel comfortable.
Plan Overview
| Period | December 14, 2026 – March 31, 2027 |
| Time | 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM, held daily |
| Location | Riverside lounge terrace (せせらきラウンジのテラス) |
| Price | Free |
| Capacity | None |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Note | The hot-spring footbath kotatsu and onjaku experience are canceled in case of rain |
Kai Akiu (Akiu Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture)
Kai Akiu is a hot spring inn nestled in Akiu Onsen, known as the inner retreat of Sendai. Guests can take in views of the mountain stream and natural scenery just beyond the property, with hospitality inspired by the bold, stylish culture brought about by Date Masamune of the Sendai domain.
- Address: 982-0241 Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, Taihaku-ku, Akiu-machi Yumoto Hirakura 1-banchi (宮城県仙台市太白区秋保町湯元平倉1番地)
- Phone: 050-3134-8092 (Kai Reservation Center)
- Rooms: 49
- Rate: From ¥35,000 per night (per person, based on 2 guests sharing a room; service charge and tax included; dinner and breakfast included)
- Access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station; approximately 45 minutes by car from Sendai Airport
- Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/kaiakiu/
