Sakan

Sakan has been welcoming guests at Akiu Onsen (秋保温泉, Akiu Onsen) for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest ryokan in the Tohoku region. There are several communal baths across the sprawling complex, including large indoor halls and an open-air rotenburo (露天風呂) perched above the Natori River where the spring water flows fresh without recirculation. The riverside bath, covered by a thatched roof and set among seasonal foliage, runs on a schedule that alternates between men and women, so it's worth checking the timetable at check-in if you want to catch it. A barrier-free private bath can be reserved separately.