[Access] About a 20-minute drive from Shin-Hanamaki Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

On the way back from Chūson-ji Temple, I wanted to warm up before boarding the Shinkansen, so I searched for an onsen near Shin-Hanamaki Station and found Himawari Onsen Ginga-no-Yu. The combination of names caught my attention—it’s interesting that the location is called “Himawari Onsen” while the facility is named “Ginga no Yu,” which is quite unique.

The facility has the atmosphere of a community center with an onsen attached. The onsen was discovered by a nearby medical organization, and its quality was so remarkable that locals decided to fund and open the onsen themselves. The tiled bath features slightly yellow water with an incredibly silky, slippery feel, thanks to its high alkalinity with a pH9.1.

Locals were enjoying a relaxing time, and the food menu in the dining area looked delicious, adding to the warm, welcoming vibe.

What made me crave a soak in the onsen was walking around Chūson-ji Temple and getting thoroughly chilled. That said, experiencing the serene and solemn atmosphere of Chūson-ji in the snow was a rare and truly special opportunity.

Before visiting Chūson-ji, I stopped at Maesawa service area for lunch and tried Mekabu Ramen, which was a personal highlight. With simple toppings of seaweed, mekabu, and green onions, the clear soy-based broth (likely chicken stock) paired beautifully with the thick, slippery mekabu. It was so delicious I can’t wait to have it again.