This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Iizaka Onsenis one of the oldest hot springs in the Tohoku region, and it is said that Matsuo Basho stopped by there in 1689 on his way to his famous "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North).
Along with Naruko Onsen and Akiu Onsen,the three most famous hot springs in Oshu (Tohoku)and is a historic hot spring resort.
Head to Iizaka Onsen on Fukushima Transportation's local line, the Iizaka Line (Iiden)!
The Iizaka Line ("Iiden") , a local line operated by Fukushima Kotsu that connects to Iizaka Onsen, is operated by a different company than JR, so the station entrances are different.
Abukuma Express Line, Iizaka Line platform entrance
The entrance to the Abukuma Express Line and Iizaka Line (commonly known as "Iiden"), operated by Fukushima Kotsu,is located a short distance north of JR Fukushima Station. If you walk a short distance to the left with the east exit of JR Fukushima Station behind you, you will see it.
This retro feel is already exciting
timetableIiden Free Ticket
This time, I purchased the "Good Electric Free Pass (with public bath admission ticket)"for 800 yen at the ticket window next to the ticket gate!
One ticket allows one adult, one elementary school student, and up to two infants to ride, anda one-day pass, you can get on and off at any station as many times as you like.
Furthermore, this ticket allows you to bathe at one of Iizaka Onsen's nine public baths (hot spring admission ticket is for one person only), and you can also receive special service benefits by showing this ticket at participating stores
There are four types of tickets for each season, and if you complete them all you will receive a commemorative gift
Regular ticket vending machines are located next to the ticket counter
Iizaka Line ticket machineTicket gateIiden Free Ticket
Time to enter! I'll wait for the right call
The Iizaka Line train, also known as the "Iiden," runs 2-4 trains per hour on weekdays and 2-3 trains per hour on weekends and holidays
Iizaka Line (Iiden) train
After 23 minutes on the Iiden train, we arrived at the last stop, Iizaka Onsen Station!
Go through the ticket gate, climb the stairs, and head outside. We've arrived at Iizaka Onsen!
Statue of Matsuo Basho at Iizaka Onsen Station
When you exit the station, you will see a bronze statue of Matsuo Basho in the square on the north side of the station building. It was erected on December 21, 1982 (Showa 57)
To the former Horikiri residence, 480 meters from Iizaka Onsen Station
The former Horikiri Residenceis a tourist attraction in Iizaka Onsen that opened in May 2010 after being renovated, restored, and partially rebuilt from an old house that had stood since the Edo period.
Former Horikiri Residence front entrance
The buildings that existed from that time were the front gate, main house, ten-ken storehouse, and well shed, but the main house was destroyed by fire in 1880 and rebuilt the following year in 1881. The other buildings are said to be newly constructed
In 1578,Umemiya Tarozaemon Sugawara Haruyoshi, where he cultivated approximately 39,700 square meters of land and engaged in agriculture and sericulture.
The Akagawa River, which flowed through the village at the time, frequently flooded and caused damage. Therefore, Umemiya Tarozaemon Sugawara Haruyoshi "cut a canal" to change the course of the Akagawa River and built houses and other structures on the reclaimed land. As a result, the area came to be called "Horikiri," andUmemiya Tarozaemon Sugawara Haruyoshi himself came to be called "Horikiri.
There are hand and foot baths inside, and you can spend some relaxing time surrounded by the trees in the courtyard, feeling the changing seasons. Admission is free, so feel free to use it
Former Horikiri Residence Hand BathThe spacious former Horikiri residence foot bath
Former Horikiri Residence <Information>
Address: 16-16 Higashitakinomachi, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-0201
This time, I went to Hakoyu , one of the nine public bathhouses in Iizaka Onsen
Hakoyu
It has the second longest history after Sabakoyu , which is famous for being used by Matsuo Basho , and has been loved by people for 1200 years.
Sabakoyu
Newly built in January 2011, Haraiyu has a Japanese-style exterior with drums and towers, and the bathroom is located on the first basement floor
Both men and women can enjoy two baths: one with hot water straight from the source, unique to Iizaka Onsen, and the other with warm water that is adjusted to a comfortable temperature so that anyone can bathe
The only public bath with rental items
Of the nine public baths, Namiraiyu is the only one that rents out bath towels, so you can go and leave empty-handed, making it a recommended public bath for tourists
Other public baths are for sale only. You can also purchase tickets at Namiyu
Even if you don't know the rules for bathing in a public bath, are worried about whether you can bathe in hot water, or find towels to be a burden, you can easily use Namiraiyu
Hakoyu <Information>
Address: 30 Totsunamachi, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-0201
After the hot spring, head to "Shorakuan" for Iizaka ramen
After the hot springs, weShorakuan,. It's a long-established restaurant founded in 1948.
The exterior of ShorakuanInside the Shorakuan restaurant
The interior of the restaurant is filled with a Showa-era feel and has a great atmosphere. Choose shrimp tempura ramen from the wide variety of soba, udon, and ramen on the menu
Shrimp Tempura Ramen (850 yen)
Smooth noodles in piping hot soup, topped with bouncy shrimp tempura!
The roast pork at Shorakuan is made with chicken and is light and delicious. Ramen is reasonably priced, starting from 650 yen
Shorakuan＜Information＞
Address: 3 Asahimachi, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-0201
The specialty of Iizaka Onsen is"Enban Gyoza" (disc-shaped dumplings)!
However, most of the restaurants are open from the evening, and there are only two or three restaurants where you can eat there from lunchtime
From among them, this time we went to Hobara-ya Shokudo , which serves disc-shaped dumplings during lunchtime.
Hobaraya Restaurant
Hobaraya Shokudo also offers a wide variety of dishes, including soba, udon, and Chinese food
7 gyoza servings (400 yen)
The gyoza are delivered in the shape of a round dumpling for a minimum of two people
3 servings of gyoza
The round dumplings were filled with plenty of vegetables, and the skin was thin and easy to eat, so even if one person ate three servings, it still didn't seem like much
Many people enjoyed gyoza along with the popular ramen and katsudon
Although it's not on the menu, you can order bottled beer, so you can enjoy gyoza and beer together!
Hobaraya Shokudo＜Information＞
Address: 11 Higashihorikiri, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-0201
This time we brought you a look at a day trip to Iizaka Onsen during the day
It's a 23-minute train ride from Fukushima Station, and offers hot springs, gourmet food, nature, and history. You might even discover something new that you can't see at Iizaka Onsen at night!
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