Chikusenso Mt.Zao Onsen Resort & Spa

I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for the outstanding hospitality and service we experienced during our recent stay at your beautiful Onsen. From the moment we arrived, every member of your team, from the front desk staff to the housekeeping personnel, went above and beyond to make our visit exceptional. The warm greetings, attentive service, and meticulous attention to detail truly created a welcoming atmosphere and made us feel right at home. I would like to give special mention to your hospitality staff, his warmth and commitment to understanding our travel preferences were beyond commendable. He took the time to tailor arrangements and provide personalized recommendations that enriched our experience immensely. His efforts contributed significantly to making our stay not only comfortable but also unforgettable. Thank you once again for crafting such wonderful memories for us. We look forward to returning and reliving the exceptional experience.

We stayed at Chikusenso for two nights with the half-board package and had a truly wonderful experience. The hotel perfectly blends luxury, authenticity, and comfort — the ambiance feels both homey and refined. Our Spa Suite was beautifully designed, spacious, and relaxing, and the onsen facilities were top-notch. What really stood out was the service. The restaurant staff were attentive, thoughtful, and went out of their way to cater to our needs, creating a warm and welcoming dining experience each time. Every detail, from check-in to the final meal, was handled with care. We’ve stayed at many ryokans across Japan, but this is definitely one of the most memorable. Thank you to the entire team for making our stay so special. We look forward to coming back again.

Pricey, room is newly rennovated, public onsen area was nice, you get to experience onsen in snow. Food was ok, service was fine. But in my honest opinion, it’s just average, nothing special. I have to mention how annoying the tourists were at dinner. Albeit being a tourist myself, I certainly wouldn’t speak loudly in a quiet environment, let alone blasting out youtube videos on my phone. I know this is not the hotel’s fault, but if there’s an individual room for all groups, I wouldn’t have heard any of that. Overall, not worth the high price, there are better ryokans out there.

The food and rooms are average, and while the service makes an effort, it falls short of expectations. The onsen area feels a bit outdated. It’s an acceptable option if you’re already in the area, but not worth making a special trip for.

The Outdoor Onsen Among the Trees was the reason I chose this place. At 6:30 sunrise and mid-day the sparking sunlight off the leaves with the wafting mist of onsen heat was so relaxing, yet inspiring! This "Mizunaranoyu" was for the Ladies, overcoming traditions that the Gentlemen had the better bath. It is was a wonderful Zen-like retreat (not so much a 'resort', with no sports facilities, no karaoke or game center). We loved it! We also reserved a private cottage onsen (no charge) with a babbling river stream for additional serenity! ||An average room was very spacious with a luxurious bathroom and views of the wooded mountains. We drank morning coffee outside in the inner courtyard enjoying the turning of the momiji leaves. We walked along the river steam and enjoyed the birds & fresh air. This is relaxation! ||TIP* We had a special dinner plan called "Shoshoku", means a smaller menu for us older folks. It was not stingy but still very opulant in dishes and the beauty of the serving ware. With sake, we were full and satisfied without being so stuffed. Very delicious.||Absolutely One of My Favorite Onsen out of the 100+ Onsen I have Enjoyed.

This place exceeded expectations! Every dollar spent was well worth it. The meticulously prepared breakfast and dinner were delightful, the design was stunning, and the onsen experience was truly sublime. The exclusivity and privacy added to the overall enjoyment. I will definitely be back.

I've been all over Japan and to many onsen resorts, but this is one of my favourites. We just came back from 2 nights here, which was well timed in the middle of a trip to Tokyo. Getting away from the city to the serenity of Chikusenso was a fantastic break, and the whole experience was wonderful. From our arrival and pickup at Sendai station to being dropped back at the station 48 hours, we felt nothing but looked after and completely welcome. The resort itself is beautiful, nestled away from everything - we were lucky enough to be some of the only guests mid-week, and experience the resort covered in fresh snow. ||||The rooms were really great - the *only* thing I could ask for would be for fresh milk for coffee in the mini-bar and at breakfast. Other than that, absolutely NO complaints. Speaking of breakfast and dinner.... they were absolutely beautiful. One night we had a dinner of fugu in every course, and it was one of the highlights of the whole trip. ||||The onsen facilities are also great, with a good mix of public and private baths. The outdoor baths were really special with all of the snow around. ||||Would definitely recommend this place, and we'll definitely be back on our next trip to Tohoku.

Love this place and staff here. Service is superb. I come to Japan at least two times every year and will always stay in fancy onsen hotels. Chikusenso definitely is on the top of the list. Many of the staff can speak quite good English which is a big plus for international visitors. They are polite but not distant. They respond to your request swiftly. Hotel decoration is a perfect combination of traditional Japanese and modern styles. The food they provide here is amazing. I do think the chef is on his way to greatness because he’s innovative and bold enough to put characters from other food genres into Japanese fine dining like cheese fondue, Vietnamese vegetable rolls and Chinese cooking styles. After dinner, they always give you a box of bakeries made by the chef, which are all delicate and delicious. I definitely will come back again. Big thanks to all the staff here (right, Tanaka-San, and your name can’t be forgot.)