This hot spring village, one of the foremost in the Tohoku region, is home to numerous distinctive hot spring bathhouses and facilities which enable visitors to experience the area’s springs with all five senses. Situated in a scenic valley, the hot spring town area is brimming with old fashioned hot spring resort atmosphere. Regarded as the top resort destination in Tohoku, some of the area’s many highlights include a spectacular rose garden and charming avenue of cherry trees. The Hanamaki Onsenkyo area encompasses the Hanamaki Minami Onsenkyo area, location of hot spring hotels such as Osawa Onsen and Namari Onsen which offer rooms with cooking facilities perfect for extended convalescent stays, and the Yusen Shidate hotel, renowned for the private outdoor baths attached to its rooms. The waters of the area’s primarily simple springs are said to alleviate such ailments as nerve pain, muscle soreness, joint pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, sensitivity to cold, and hemorrhoids. Two Hanamaki specialty foods are the Wanko soba noodles and soft serve ice cream served in the Marukan Shokudo restaurant. Enjoy either (or both!) before or after touring the area’s hot spring bathhouses and famous sites connected to poet and children’s book author Kenji Miyazawa.