Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku

This is a delightful onsen, easily accessed from Hanamaki, with modern and comfortable public areas, including a large lounge area overlooking a fast flowing river. Our room was very spacious, tastefully decorated and also overlooked the river, with thick and very comfortable futon provided. Dinner and breakfast were excellent and probably the best we experienced in six onsen in which we stayed during our trip to Japan. The meals were served in a pleasant dining room, where we were kindly assisted by a charming English and Japanese speaking Nepalese server, who explained each dish as well as providing exemplary service. The baths were fabulous - very large, spotlessly clean and once again overlooking the river. The adjoining historic wooden building was very interesting, but unfortunately, its outdoor bath beside the river was closed. All staff were very friendly and helpful, the room rates offered excellent value for money and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

I have found my perfect onsen. It might be farther than I used to go for an Onsen , three hours instead of an hour's travel but after being made to wear a skirt to be able to use my old onsen, this place is worth it. Besides, the food is much much better. I might have missed something when I booked on the internet, but I was given a smoking room .I had to leave the window open for a while to clear out the smell. Apart from that, the room was big ,clean , has a bath and a toilet. When I step out to the corridor,  a Japanese lady introduced herself to me, her name is Mami ,saying she will be looking after my room , putting out my bed ( mattress on the floor the Japanese way ) serving me dinner. I stayed two nights, the first dinner was a bit of a struggle for her as she tried her best to explain what I was eating, it was a Kaiseiki dinner of about 10 courses. She explained every one of them, including each ingredient. The second night was a different story. She had every course written out and explained every thing proficiently.   Bless her heart. I am an old man of 75 and this young lady tried so hard to look after me. I am touched by her efforts . I dropped my chopstick once an I can hear quick shuffle of feet, and a new pair of chopsticks was in my hand. Osawa Onsen Sansuikagu was to my mind,extremely good, not ten out of ten, but a nine point eight out of ten. Some food, grilled fish , was a bit cold when it should have been hot. There is only salt , no pepper on the table for breakfast, but then again the cuisine is Japanese, not European, not some dried scrambled eggs. The main outdoor Osawa Onsen was the main feature of the hotel.  There were 4 or five other onsens in the hotel , some more beautiful and exquisite than others but the most famous one, Osawa Onsen,  stood out. It's  a mixed onsen which singles, families, couples , foreigners, young and old can enjoy.. in the nude.  I had a great time..very very impressed . Getting there is super easy ( I think.) I go to JR Ticket Office available at many train stations. I got shinkansen train tickets departing from Ueno Station ( to me Ueno station is not as big and less busy than Tokyo Station.)   Yamabiko 59 train , departing 11.42 am. to arrive at  Shin Hanamaki station at 14.41 pm. Once arrived , go to information office and they will tell you to walk outside to free bus stop number 2 . At 3.10 pm. the free bus will come to pick you up to Osawa Onsen. Ask before you get off the bus. It might stop at other onsens along the way. Get also the return ticket , Yamabiko 60. Free bus leaves Osawa at 10.50 a m. Train leaves Shin Hanamaki at 12.20 and arrive at Ueno at 15.18 pm. Enjoy your trip.