31 Best Hotels in Tohoku, Japan

This small, sedate ryokan sits quietly on the edge of a peninsula called Oku-Matsushima, offering a place for you to relax, enjoy nature, and soak in the onsen, as it is not easily accessible from other sights in Matsushima. Many regulars stay several nights because of its sublime dinners, perfect privacy, and breathtaking views. If you come in winter, take advantage of the package deals. The snow-capped pine trees add to the serenity.

Akita Castle Hotel has bright and airy rooms overlooking the moats of Senshu Park, with those on the fifth and sixth floors offering the better views, as do the window seats at the Japanese restaurant for breakfast. The building is a reflection of a different era, when things were big and showy, but as a place to stay, it is still a great location. For a big splurge, request the Imperial Suite, where the imperial family stays when in town.

If this is not the largest hotel in town, it feels like it, sitting beside the Seibu Department Store right in the thick of all the shops that line the arcade extending out from the station, with many eateries located nearby. The hotel itself has several different dining options, some with nice views. You are also directly connected to the department store via the lobby. A three-minute walk east will take you to JR Akita Station, and a seven-minute walk takes you to the edge of the entertainment district.

This pleasant, modern hotel is immediately adjacent to the JR Hirosaki Station and has a convenience store on the ground level. The breakfast, served on the second floor of the building, is a very involved buffet that is quite delicious. The variety available might make you want to hang around and eat, and it's definitely worth the extra charge if you like breakfasts.

This lodge connected to Dewa-Sanzan Jinja by a long stairway allows you to enjoy the shrine and scenery at the summit after most tourists have gone home by staying in communal, Japanese-style rooms with shared baths. Early birds may join priests at the main shrine for morning prayers—a great way to start the day. The cedar-lined approach is more than majestic, but inside, this shukubo, or monk's lodging, is spartan. The large tatami-mat rooms can be separated by fusuma (sliding paper doors) to create smaller rooms. Two vegetarian meals are served daily. The signature dish, tasty sesame tofu, is thicker, richer, and creamier than regular tofu. Since the lodge does have an irregular schedule to accommodate events, be sure to check. Reservations are best made by phone, and when you (or someone who speaks Japanese) call, you can check the dates and also request vegan meals. If you are taking the bus, get off at the final stop, and it is a 10-minute walk a bit down from the summit.

This hotel chain is a trustworthy option when you're unsure of where to stay, but this branch also puts you in an area that is worth exploring and close to most of the places you'll want to visit in Hirosaki. It's a simple place, with nice touches like a welcome drink bar and goodies available for your after-bath relaxation. The rooms are simple and geared toward business travelers but can work well for a couple; however, keep in mind that the queen bed can almost fill a room. The fifth floor has smoking rooms. Do opt for the breakfast buffet; there are not many other places to get breakfast nearby.

Namari's most famous ryokan (and its most famous onsen) is a dark wood house made of Japanese zelkova trees that is starting to show its age but still seems to have stories to tell, with rustic rooms without private baths in the main building and newer rooms with private baths in a concrete annex. The main reason to stay here is to have the opportunity to steep in the venerable Namari Onsen, which has a high ceiling and a round shape that resembles nothing so much as a giant inkwell. It is not the only hot spring available to you (and the water in the hot springs can be hot to the uninitiated), but the outdoor baths along the river are more milky. Relatively rare in these modern times, the ryokan has mixed-sex bathing with some hours reserved solely for women or men depending on the bath. Although the rooms in the main building have no private toilet, many find them nicer and more atmospheric than those in the newer annex, where the rooms do have private baths; the corner rooms overlooking a waterfall are particularly roomy and tastefully furnished. You can also use their bath for ¥800 per person without staying, and rent a towel for a few hundred yen extra.

Modern luxury permeates Fujiya Ryokan, which you could mistake for some kind of art gallery. Designed by architect Kuma Kengo, the sleek guest rooms are equipped with state-of-art amenities, and there are five hot-spring baths. The five exquisite hot-spring pools made from different natural materials such as granite, bamboo, and Japanese cypress provide total relaxation, and each is available to all guests for private use. Because the inn does not have dining facilities, you'll receive two substantial yet sublime Japanese meals served in your room. Contact them to arrange pickup from the train station or if you are arriving by car at their lot before getting into town. The ryokan area is not accessible by car.

Once a ryokan, this resort hotel in owada-Hachimantai National Park combines the options of a ryokan with the extras of a resort, offering activities that you can take advantage of to see and experience the area in addition to the beautiful mountain views and on-site onsen. You can go everywhere in the place in your pajama-like loungewear. The lobby is dominated by a soaring chimney decorated by Taro Okamoto, and enormous plate-glass windows overlook a beautiful natural setting. A variety of rooms is available. And the buffet includes apple-related fare since that's what Aomori is known for. While there is a free bus from Hachinohe, Aomori, and Shin-Aomori JR stations, be sure to make a reservation when you book, and confirm the departure time so you don't miss it. In addition to outdoor activities, they also run things like open-air bus tours. There are plenty of things to do, so don't be late and miss the welcome drinks.

Located down the lively (and partially covered) Shinmachi shopping street is an emphatic hotel, where everything is large, including the lobby, public areas, roomy restaurants, and spacious, if tame, rooms. Because many wedding parties are held here on weekends, the hotel tends to be crowded with lots of families and kids. The top floor of the 17-story hotel houses a French restaurant and a bar, and the view beats even that of the 13th-floor observatory of the ASPAM building.

This low-rise hotel next to the train station has Western-style standard twin rooms with private baths; larger deluxe twins with sofas are worth the extra expense. A simple breakfast is generally included in the rates and served at the attached restaurant on the first floor.

This nine-story hotel curves around a corner just up from the ASPAM building as if it belonged in a periodically snowbound 1990s-era Miami Beach. The lobby is open and bright and has an adjacent restaurant. A prime location makes shopping and exploring the city center easier, and because it's close to the harbor, you can easily walk along the waterfront in the morning. The rooms are spacious, some have sea views, and some accommodate guests in wheelchairs.

Adjacent to the JR Akita Station and ALS shopping mall, this hotel with its large rooms is a perfect choice for shopping and exploring the sights. Rooms are understated in style, with wood accents. Premium-floor rooms are larger, but all of the rooms are clean and functional. There are also laundry facilities, massages, and access to the neighboring fitness center (for an extra ¥1,100 fee). 

Tastefully furnished, spacious rooms and English-speaking staff make this hotel—run by the same group as the Hotel Metropolitan Morioka (original branch)—a safe choice for visitors to Morioka. The hotel is conveniently close to Morioka Station. The presence of a large wedding altar right in the middle of the coffee lounge in the lobby gives it a rather over-the-top appearance. 

This upscale hotel adjacent to the railway station is a great value, with spacious, tastefully furnished rooms that have been renovated in calming tones. The restaurant and café on the second floor are bright and airy, with a fabulous glass-front view for people-watching. The hotel's location is great for travelers, but also good for events, so don't be surprised by a raucous wedding party or company dinner.

Yamagata's most centrally located upscale hotel caters to many busy corporate travelers from Tokyo and other big cities. There are two connected wings, but breakfast is served in the main building. The lounge and rooms are spacious, the staff are efficient, and decor is snappy and stylish. Upper-floor rooms have views you won't want to turn away from.

Along the Hirose River, this large ryokan has rooms that peer out over the stream and mountains, offering a 20-meter pool, table tennis, and a children's play area, as well as its original rotenburo. Some of it is a bit over the top, but that is the mood. Nevertheless, the reason to stay here is for the onsen. Although the rotenburo generally offers mixed-sex bathing, some hours are reserved for women only. Five different springs fill the four rocky baths, and you can see the warm water bubbling up from the bottom of the river while you’re soaking. Request a room with beds if you’re not interested in sleeping on futons. Some rooms even have private baths with views.

Of the rustic ryokan in the Nyuto area, this one is the coziest, giving you access to the river and trails; the water in the onsen is milky white and cool enough that even babies can bathe in it. Descending the path affords you a view of thatched roofs and what could easily be mistaken for a tiny village. The front desk is there in what would be the town square, and so is a little café. In addition to three outdoor and five indoor pools, there's a waterfall to massage your shoulders. The accommodations are all tatami rooms, but some have beds. The two meals are typical local fare. Don't miss tasty, half-cooked onsen eggs at breakfast. Families often rent the cottage that has a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and living room, but if you're interested in that, you'll have to call. Perhaps the best of all is how genuinely friendly and helpful the people are in this little getaway that's open only between mid-April and mid-November.

Smiling staff welcome you to this charming small inn with modern, albeit simply decorated, rooms that adjoin the town baths. Join the locals for an evening dip before heading back to your room. While it is on a quiet street, you are nevertheless just a few minutes' walk from the main sights. Tea and coffee are available in the corridor. The optional Japanese breakfast served at the neighboring restaurant is well worth the cost.

This large, slightly dated hotel sits on the island-studded bay near tourist attractions such as Zuigan-ji and offers lavish rooms, some with private rotenburo (open air bath) on their balconies as well as a communal, open-air onsen with perhaps the best view of all if you do not mind the tour buses parking in front. Each room has a slightly different view, but most face the sea. You can reserve a family onsen room if you are shy about the shared baths. There is also a very small pool and other on-site activities.

This posh resort hotel has a gorgeous garden that stays illuminated at night, not to mention large, bright rooms offering gorgeous, panoramic views the bay, a delightfully relaxing tea room, and public hot-spring baths on the top floor. Affluent travelers may enjoy this splurge, but it's also a favorite among locals celebrating anniversaries. The Kyohei Fujita Museum of Glass, within the hotel complex, contains many opulent pieces by an artist inspired by the area. There are shops in the hotel and bicycles for rent, but the route to all the sights might be a bit busy. Confirm the times of shuttle buses to and from both Matsushima and Matsushimakaigan Stations when you make your reservations. They will also arrange pickup at other times if you call.

A central location on a busy corner with bus connections and comfortably furnished rooms make this moderately priced hotel a good choice in Aomori. The lobby, located on the fifth floor, is equipped with an automated check-in system that can speed things up, or at least remove any language barrier. Staff are also on hand, of course, to welcome you in the attractive lobby area. Some east-side rooms overlook Mt. Hakkoda. The rooms are bright and modern, and the breakfast buffet has quite a variety.

Two minutes from JR Yamagata Station, this sleek 12-story hotel offers reasonable rates and comfortable rooms with many amenities: bath salts, skin-care products, and special packages for kids. The breakfast offers local dishes including cold ramen and imoni, a potato hot pot. There is also a cultural arts center (Yamagin Kenmin Hall) across the street that might have interesting performances or events going on. It's a pretty safe bet, but most of what you'll want to see is on the other side of the tracks.

This simple, well-kept hotel's location makes it a good base for visiting Dewa Sanzan or exploring other cities in Yamagata Prefecture or just for checking out Tsuruoka. The hotel offers modern rooms done up in shades of cream and chocolate. A brisk three-minute walk takes you to the S-Mall shopping center, where you can find coffee or snacks and catch a bus to Mt. Haguro.

This friendly and cozy Japanese inn attracts budget-minded travelers, and it is a lot like visiting someone's grandmother's house. There's a small dining area where optional Japanese and Western breakfasts and Japanese dinners are served. Locals often gather in the restaurant for drinks or dinner. The clean and comfortable rooms are traditional in style but are equipped with toilets and showers. 

A half-hour bus ride from JR Morioka Station takes you to this quiet hot-spring town and its upscale (and expensive), traditional ryokan, which serves two meals a day in your tatami room. If you're coming here, you're coming to get away, relax, and not have to think. The walls around the premises obstruct what seem like they could be picturesque mountain views, but rooms peer out on a Japanese garden where goldfish swim in a pond. Some rooms have a private outdoor bath and some rooms, unlike many ryokan, have beds.

If you are looking for a vacation from your vacation, this simple countryside inn offers proximity to nature, relaxing baths, and the chance to get your hands dirty—not to mention accommodations for guests in wheelchairs, which is not the norm for most small inns. Meals are included here, typically served in your room, and include any number of local ingredients. Demonstrations of soba-making, cloth-dyeing, and other events happen depending on the season, so ask what is going on when you make your reservations. If you wake up early,  join the staff in the vegetable patch and pick the ingredients for breakfast, also included. The location is quite remote, but the staff will take you to the station or to Chuson-ji Temple. They will even take you to Hiraizumi Station, wait for you to put your luggage in a locker, and then drop you off at the temple, so you can enjoy your time there.  Ask in advance for a pickup if you're arriving by train.

This budget hotel chain has a welcome bar where you can make your own drinks until 8 pm, but you might not want to spend too much time in the small but functional rooms. Business travelers dominate on weekdays, but families fill the place on weekends. Many different kinds of pillows and a range of amenities are available at reception. Complimentary breakfast includes simple Western fare such as breads, eggs, sausages, and salads. The doors to the hotel lock at midnight, so you'll have to use the code to get into your room as the rooms have no keys. The code comes on a small receipt-size sheet of paper, so snap a photo of that in case you lose it.

This more-than-300-year-old Japanese inn has a sophisticated atmosphere and offers soft thermal waters, and in winter, the chance to see Zao's famous winter scenes with some of the "ice monsters" made by snow piling onto trees in frozen pillars sculpted by blizzards. In recent years, the ice monsters are struggling, but the landscapes are still striking. As you approach the inn at the top of a hill, you will be led to the low-beamed interior, which has changed little over centuries. Each room is different, but the most luxurious are the suites in the annex, recently refurbished and each with a private bath; ask about rooms with Japanese-type decor but Western-style beds.

The sleek lobby on the 26th floor leads to the modern lounge with huge wall-to-wall windows overlooking the city, mountains, and distant ocean; the guest rooms share these gorgeous views. Do be aware that you'll have to work your way through the ground-level entrance, which can feel like an office building, but you'll be rewarded once upstairs.