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[Fukushima Prefecture] 3 Recommended Hot Springs in the Nakadori and Hamadori Areas of Fukushima Prefecture, Selected for Their Hidden Hot Springs, Famous Hot Springs, and Unique Spring Quality!
[Fukushima Prefecture] 3 Recommended Hot Springs in the Nakadori and Hamadori Areas of Fukushima Prefecture, Selected for Their Hidden Hot Springs, Famous Hot Springs, and Unique Spring Quality!
Fukushima Prefecture has the most hot spring resorts in the Tohoku region, with hot springs with unique spring qualities dotted throughout its three regions: Nakadori, where the Tohoku Shinkansen runs; Hamadori, along the Pacific coast; and Aizu
There are many hot springs with a wide variety of spring qualities, from famous hot springs all over the country to hidden hot springs tucked away in the mountains. In this article, we will introduce three hot springs with unique spring qualities in the Nakadori area
"Bobata Onsen," a radon hot spring that even Minamoto no Yoshiie was impressed with (Ishikawa Town, Ishikawa District)
It is said that during the "Former Nine Years' War" about 900 years ago , Minamoto no Yoshiie, who was suffering during a march through the snow , dipped his injured horse's leg in the valley water mixed with hot spring water in this area, and the wound healed.
The spring water is classified as an "alkaline simple weakly radioactive spring ." While it appears colorless, transparent, and has a pleasant feel, it is characterized by being a "weakly radioactive spring" containing radon, which is produced from the radioactive mineral radium
From the Wikipedia page for Motohata Onsen (File name: Motohata Onsen_Motoyu.JPG Author: Suzupi)
Radioactive springs, which contain radon, which is produced when radium breaks down, are said to have a beneficial effect by stimulating the body moderately
Radioactive hot springs are rare and few in number, and among them, Motohata Onsen is a popular hot spring because it has the highest radon content in the Tohoku region
The indications for each spring type are gout, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, chronic skin diseases, and chronic gynecological diseases
Drinking the spring water has also been shown to be effective for gout, chronic digestive diseases, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, neuralgia, muscle pain, and joint pain
Yahataya, located at the source of the sacred spring
It is said that Minamoto no Yoshiie considered this hot spring a sacred spring, and offered a horo (a cloth used to protect the back from arrows) to the rocks from which the water gushed forth, erected a flag, and worshipped it. The name "horohata" (meaning "cloth flag") , which represented this act , is said to have later transformed into "bobata" (meaning "mother field")
Furthermore,because the inn was built on top of a sacred spring worshipped by Yoshiie, also known as Hachiman Taro, itwas named "Hachiman-ya.
The inn offers a large public bath with beautiful garden views, an open-air bath built within the garden, and four private baths where you can relax and enjoy a bath without worrying about your surroundings
From the official website of Bakuhanseki Sauna Hachimanya
Furthermore, there are bedrock baths and saunas that utilize far-infrared rays emitted by Mongolian maifan stone , which is also used in cancer treatment, and the saunas use hot spring water containing radon.
There are two types of guest rooms: traditional Japanese-style rooms and modern Japanese-Western rooms with beds. The most popular are the luxurious special rooms, which combine a Japanese-style room with a living room and sofa in the bedroom
In addition to the basic kaiseki course meal featuring seasonal ingredients, a variety of additional dishes are available, and among them,"Ishikawa Honey Beef," a type of Japanese Black beefis an exceptional dish.
Located at an altitude of 1,230m, in the refreshing air that flows through a lush virgin beech forest, a natural hot spring with two different types of spring water gushes out
The two hot springs have different water qualities:a simple sulfur springandan acidic iron-containing (II, III) aluminum sulfate spring.In particular, Washikura Onsen is the only place in this area where the latter type of iron-containing spring water gushes forth.
The hot springs are said to be effective for cuts, chronic skin diseases, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, and neuralgia, but one of the springs, "Acidic Feroxant Spring," has long been believed to be effective for eye diseases and is also known by the nickname "Eye Washikura."
Washikura Onsen Kogen Ryokan: A hidden hot spring inn where you can enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery
This secluded hot spring inn, managed by the proprietress and her family, is"Association for the Preservation of Japan's Secluded Hot Springs."It boasts two indoor baths and five open-air baths, each supplied with one of two different hot spring sources.
There are four separate open-air baths for men and women, including an indoor bath and a private open-air bath. Two of these have sulfur springs, while the remaining two have iron-containing springs. As the source spring is very hot, water is added to keep the baths at a comfortable temperature
The guest rooms are spacious, relaxing Japanese-style rooms, some with twin beds on tatami mats for a Japanese-Western atmosphere, and equipped with toilets and sinks with washlets
Dinner at the restaurant is a Japanese-style kaiseki meal featuring local mountain vegetables, river fish such as sweetfish, and Japanese beef, and is known for its generous portions, so even young people with big appetites will be satisfied
Reservations can only be made by phone or through the official website, and the park is closed from mid-November to late April in winter due to road closures caused by snowfall
Washikura Onsen Kogen Ryokan <Information>
Facility name: Washikura Onsen Kogen Ryokan
Address: 1 Washikurayama, Tsuchiyu Onsen-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
Tamayama Onsen, which appeared in the dream of a lord's wife (Yotsukuracho, Iwaki City)
We will introduce a hot spring with a unique spring quality from Hamadori on the Pacific coast
Located in the mountains about 30 minutes by car from the center of Iwaki City towards Yotsukura IC on the Joban Expressway, this hot spring is said to have been discovered nearly 300 years ago by a revelation in a dream by the wife of the lord of the Iwakidaira domain
Since then, it has been used as an old hot spring resort
The spring watera sodium, iron, and bicarbonate chloride spring, and its alkaline pH of 10 is gentle on the skin, warms the body from the core, and is also drinkable, said to be good for gastrointestinal ailments.
The hot spring water is heated because it is only 18°C, but it is still 100% natural
The water quality is known to be effective for treating cuts, peripheral circulatory disorders, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin
Fujiya Ryokan: A Japanese-style inn built over 100 years ago
This is a traditional hot spring inn with a long history, founded in 1744 (Enkyo 1), and is a two-story wooden building full of charm
The inn is surrounded by rows of old trees and features heavy pillars and beams, creating a calm atmosphere along with the retro accounting office just inside the entrance that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time
All baths are filled with natural hot spring water, which feels like lotion on the skin and keeps you warm for a long time after bathing
In addition, the separate baths for men and women can be rented out exclusively between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy a natural hot spring bath in 50-minute increments without worrying about disturbing others
All six guest rooms are tranquil Japanese-style rooms."hatago" (traditional inn) roomsalso traditional "toji" (therapeutic) rooms whereyou can stay at a reasonable price while immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a traditional hot spring retreat.
The menu served in the large dining hall is country cuisine, made with plenty of fresh seasonal ingredients from the sea and mountains, thanks to the restaurant's location in the mountains yet close to the Pacific Ocean.The area is also famous for its matsutake mushrooms, so you can enjoy matsutake dishes in season
Fujiya Ryokan＜Information＞
Facility name: Fujiya Ryokan
Address: 8 Tamayama Yunokuchi, Shikura-cho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture is known as the "hot spring prefecture," and there are so many hot spring resorts in the Nakadori and Hamadori areas alone that it would be impossible to introduce them all, each with its own unique characteristics
The Aizu region also has many hot springs with unique spring water qualities, but we could not introduce them all in this article
I would like to introduce these hidden hot springs and famous hot springs in another article
I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!
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