Naruko Onsen Village (Osaki City, Miyagi Pref.)

Naruko Onsen is located in the middle of the hot springs village. There are multistory hotels lining the streets, as well as traditional Japanese inns, souvenir shops, and restaurants. There are footbaths here and there, and there are programs conducted to encourage slow walks through the hot springs town.

Naruko Kokeshi dolls are handicraft products characteristic of the area (wooden dolls with spherical heads that make a creaking sound when they are twisted around, cylindrical bodies, and no limbs) and they has been specified as national craft products. There are several manufacturing plants spotted around the hot springs village, and some offer doll-painting participation-type programs.

The kuridango tradition (chestnut and bean jam dumplings made from rice flour) goes back 140 years, and the perfect balance of the outer coating made from rice flour, the chunks of chestnuts inside, and the bean jam filling creates a delightful taste.

Here you can purchase a coupon ticket for 100 yen at the train station, and go walking through the town wearing a traditional footwear of Japan, called geta, an elevated type of wooden clogs. There are discounts available at participating shops in the onsen village and you are sure to make friends among the local residents.

There are 7 ski lifts available at the Onikoube Ski Resort, ranging from courses for beginners to those for experts (open from the middle of December through the beginning of April) and a golf course, making the onsen village all the more enjoyable.