Hot springs in Sakan

A historic inn at Akiu Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture, one of Japan's three ancient imperial hot springs. The inn, called Hotel Sakan, has been operated by the same family for 34 generations over more than 800 years. The waters are a sodium sulfate spring that Emperor Kinmei is said to have bathed in to recover from illness. The facility includes a sacred flame said to have burned continuously for 400 years, brought from Mount Koya.