Northeast Japan 2024 | Accommodation | Tokyo - Fukushima - Ginzan Onsen - Sendai - Tokyo

By 靜涵 ♥ - February 22, 2024

OH MY GAWD FEBRUARY WAS GREAT. 

2023 has been too good for me. Spent my year to travel to 6 countries (I manifested!) and this year, couldn't be more excited for 2024. and oh, how I missed Japan and felt good to be back again! To be honest, it's been SO long and I don't know where to start. 

Well, I'll just go with the flow. Just completed 10 days trip to Northeast Japan and I an happy to say that I love Japan even more than before (BUT not Tokyo, tbh i did not like it and it is a bit hard to love it) I do not love the place that it is busy with people rushing frantically down every street, every day. Not really enjoy a place when people were knocking into me every other second. For the weather, during the period of my visit was extremely fickle with temperature ranging from -7 to 20 degree Celsius. 

WHERE I STAYED IN JPN

Accommodation (price per night)

Fukushima : Hotel Ookawaso RM1356
Ginza Onsen: Hotel Takikmikan  RM1331.05
Sendai : Westin Hotel RM1845.34 
Tokyo : Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku RM1287.90 

All the hotels I stayed, I couldn't have loved it more! The hotel room had everything I needed after long day exploring. Not gonna lie, I just completely fell in love with all of the hotels and onsen, and would heartedly recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere cozy to stay in Northeast Japan.

Ookawaso Hotel, Fukushima 
DEMON SLAYER INFINITY CASTLE IN REAL LIFE iykyk


The hotel two main features include the beautiful hotel lobby with the water flowing through and nightly Shamisen performance (IT WAS GRAND- OPEN). I hear the sound of rushing water all the time. So one of the really nice things about this onsen hotel is it has not only outdoor onsen, but it has outdoor onsen that we can book privately.



This is a deluxe Japanese hotel, where I can indulge in the ultimate relaxation experience by enjoying the outdoor baths overlooking the breathtaking Ookawa River from a cliff!! The serene setting is especially rewarding, it's well worth for frozen toes.

Upon entering my main Japanese-style room, I was immediately struck by its spaciousness and elegant furnishings. The room also boasted a bathroom attached, adding to the convenience and comfort of the stay. What truly sets this hotel apart is that ALL OF THE ROOMS offer stunning views of the canyon with the river flowing below.




Breakfast and dinner (nightly kaiseki) were included, and one of the best parts of staying in this onsen hotel was experiencing Japanese Kaiseki Cuisine (a truly amazing dining experience💗).

Traditional kaiseki meals come with numerous courses, and I wasn't disappointed. To start, I enjoyed a variety of appetizers, followed by a selection of soups infused with Chinese herbs. The highlight was the bowl of sashimi, featuring fresh tamarugo tuna and other delightful pieces.Moving on to the hot pot, first, butter sizzled on the hot plate. Local Fukushima wagyu sirloin, along with asparagus—a local delicacy—made for a delectable combination, perfectly complemented by sake. The aroma of the beef promised a flavorful experience, and it certainly delivered.

Accompanying the meat were mushrooms, pumpkin (hehe my favorite), bell pepper, wheat gluten, and sanche. The miso sauce with citrus juice added just the right amount of mild acidity, enhancing the tender meat.

The next course brought a delightful cup of chawanmushi, followed by a variety of fried and steamed delicacies, along with soba noodles and soup—a specialty of Aizu cuisine. The soba noodles were flawless, with an aroma and texture that were simply perfect. Various other dishes added to the culinary adventure, leading up to the final course: dessert.

But the most interesting thing was we savored our meal in a private dining room & with the sound of rushing water beneath us adding to the ambiance, what a vibe!

After a restful night's sleep on our futon mattress, the breakfast was equally delightful. Good mood good food. The menu offered Japanese, Western, and Chinese options, including one of my favorites: egg over rice, prepared by the chef right in front of me. The fluffy meringue with rich Aizu chicken yolk was a perfect way to start the day (I don't have photo for it, but videos are on my IG @oliviasoh_ )

My Rate 4.5/5!!


Hotel Takimikan
 
Enter the World of "Spirited Away"


Living my spirited away moment 💖 Wandering around the quiet onsen down of Ginzan Onsen aka Spirited Away irl.

Embarking on a snowy retreat to the charming town of Ginza Onsen, our first stop was the picturesque Hotel Takimikan. Though the hotel is not in the Ginza Onsen main street it is totally fine because the room has direct view to the waterfall n there is a 3 mins walkway down to the main street. And you know what, the hotel thoughtfully provided boots and jacket for us in the room.
Walking the town both during daylight and evening, the atmosphere was magical during both times (Preferably evening ops but morning is cool). The ryokans lining the main street seemed a bit cramped, so we were glad to have chosen Takimikan. 




Our room was on the second floor of the main building, spacious, with a wonderful view of the mountains, woods and the waterfall downhill. 


The food was delicious, invigorating breakfast. 
The breakfast is not buffet style but like those fine dining few courses meal.



Overall, the room is comfortable especially the mattress n there is chair overseeing the waterfall from window. Highly rated because of our room had a good view of the waterfall, snow covered trees and slopes hehehehe!

The Westin, Sendai


Beyond expectations!
Had a lovely stay for nights in this hotel - the tallest building in Sendai.  




The room itself was very spacious for a Japanese hotel with a large bathroom with full sized bath.





The executive lounge had a well stocked fridge of juices, sodas and milk. In the evening, the appetizers of crab canapés, salad, soup, and a full bar satisfied us enough that we didn’t need dinner. The skyscraper lights were a bonus. Overall, the room was excellent; the hotel was quiet, and the service was top-notched





Speaking of views, the sunsets from our room were nothing short of fabulous. ! Loved all the lights I could see at night too. Location-wise, the hotel couldn't have been better situated. Just a brisk 10-minute stroll from the JR Station, it offered convenience without sacrificing tranquility.

Without a doubt, we will be returning to this hotel on our next visit to Sendai (can we get an upgrade? @Thewestinsendai <3 )

coming up ⏫
part 2 - itinerary & my next destination



  • Share:

You Might Also Like

1 Comment?

  1. Anonymous22 February 2024 at 08:17

    Niceee sharingg!! Pls share more in the futuree

    ReplyDelete