[Fukushima Prefecture] 3 recommended hot springs in the Aizu region selected for their secret hot springs, famous hot springs, and unique spring quality!

Hot springs in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture are dotted around the Aizu Basin, with hot springs of various water qualities scattered around Mount Bandai and in the mountains of Minami Aizu

While there are many famous hot springs with numerous hot spring inns, such as Higashiyama Onsen, Ashinomaki Onsen, and Yunokami Onsen, in this article we will introduce three lesser-known hot springs in Aizu that are each home to a single inn


Okinajima Onsen, an iron spring at the foot of Mount Bandai (Inawashiro Town, Yama District)

The hot spring, which was discovered in the early Taisho period, a "simple iron carbonate spring" that is colorless and transparent, but contains a yellowish-brown sediment due to its high iron content.

a carbon dioxide spring, which is relatively rare in Japan , and is said to be good for cuts, peripheral circulatory disorders, poor circulation, and autonomic nervous system instability.The iron in the spring warms the body, and it is also said to be good for gynecological diseases.

Tamanoyu Ryokan: A local cuisine inn with a sake advisor

From the official Tamanoyu Ryokan website

This hot spring inn uses 100% of its own hot spring water, and there are no buildings between the inn and Mount Bandai, so it offers a wonderful view

The large public bath offers a magnificent view of Mount Bandai from the men's bath, making you want to stay in the bath for a long time

From of the men's bath, Tamanoyu Ryokan

All guest rooms are Japanese-style, with nine rooms measuring 12 tatami mats, two rooms measuring 14 tatami mats, and two rooms measuring 20 tatami mats, making it possible to accommodate large groups. The Japanese-style rooms, which offer a magnificent view of Mt. Bandai, are prioritized based on the level of the meal, so we recommend the top-tier A course

Dinner menu example from Tamanoyu Ryokan official website

The food in this Course A is a specialty of Tamanoyu Ryokan and is called "Aizu Gotsuo Zen." As the name suggests, which means "feast" in the Aizu dialect, it is filled with Aizu local dishes such as horse sashimi, simmered carp, and pork cutlet with sauce


Tamanoyu Ryokan <Information>

  • Facility name: Okinajima Onsen Tamanoyu Ryokan
  • Address: 2336-7 Honnakajima, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0242-65-2611
  • URL: Tamanoyu official website

Google Map


Nishiyama Onsen: Eight springs springing from the mountain streams of Oku-Aizu

From the official Takinoyu website

The eight hot springs that gush out along the Takidani River, a tributary of the Tadami River, "divine hot springs" . There are four hot spring inns and two day-trip bathing facilities, each with its own different hot spring source.

The eight hot springs are sulfur-containing, sodium-chloride hot springs , and are effective in treating atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, chronic eczema, epidermal suppuration, peripheral circulatory disorders, cuts, sensitivity to cold, depression, and dry skin.

Takinoyu's open-air From the official Takinoyu website

The smooth water is known as a skin-beautifying bath that leaves your skin smooth and silky, and is also known as "tan-kiri no yu" (water that cuts the tongue)

The geothermal energy is so strong that there is a geothermal power plant nearby, and the temperature of the hot spring is high, at around 70 to 80 degrees Celsius

Aizu Nishiyama Onsen Takinoyu: A hidden hot spring inn where you can experience the feeling of a traditional hot spring cure

From the official Takinoyu website

Founded in 1899 (Meiji 32), this inn is located in a hot spring resort town with an atmosphere of hidden hot springs, and retains the appearance of an old hot spring inn, befitting a member of the Society for Preserving Hidden Hot Springs of Japan

Men's Bath (Arayu Source) Takinoyu Official Website

The two baths each have a different hot spring source; the men's bath's "Arayu Hot Spring" is a sulfur-containing sodium chloride hot spring , while the women's bath's "Takinoyu Hot Spring" is a sodium chloride hot spring with a slightly higher pH and a soft feel on the skin.

Women's bath (Takinoyu source) from the official Takinoyu website

The indoor baths are alternated for men and women depending on the time of day, so you can soak in both hot springs, and the open-air bath at Arayu Hot Springs, located along the mountain stream, allows you to enjoy a bath while being soothed by the sounds of the river babbling

There is only one open-air bath, so it is mixed bathing, but you can rest assured that it is women-only from 7pm to 9pm

From of the new building 's Japanese-style room, Takinoyu

You can hear the chirping of birds and the murmuring of the river, and the new building has free Wi-Fi.The guest rooms include one Japanese-Western style room, but the rest are all Japanese-style rooms measuring 8 to 10 tatami mats

From of the Old Building Japanese-style room, Takinoyu

Although you cannot stay overnight in the old building, which was built in the Shoin style from the Meiji period, you can enter and enjoy the atmosphere of that time

Dinner menu example from

Meals are served in a spacious, partitioned dining room with individual tables, and guests can enjoy local dishes such as grilled sweetfish and fried and simmered kurumafu, as well as seasonal mountain vegetable tempura. Local sake and char bone sake are also available

Please note that the facility is closed during the winter due to snowfall, so please check the official website for opening hours

Takinoyu <Information>

  • Facility name: Aizu Nishiyama Onsen Takinoyu
  • Address: 829 Nagasaka, Sunakohara, Yanaizu-machi, Kawanuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0241-43-2311
  • Winter holidays: Mid-December to mid-March
  • URL: Takinoyu Official Website

Google Map


Sakai Onsen, the source of Minamiaizu's thick, skin-beautifying hot spring water

From of Aizu Highlands Hoshi no Sato Hotel

"Nangokai Onsen No. 1 Spring," which first emerged in 1970, is a colorless, transparent, and highly medicinal sodium chloride sulfate spring . Its thick texture makes it a skin-beautifying spring that firms and moisturizes the skin.

In addition to the general indications, the spring waters are also suitable for arteriosclerosis, cuts, burns, chronic skin diseases, weak children, and chronic gynecological diseases

Minamiaizu has many day-trip hot springs with different water qualities nestled in the natural surroundings, so if you have a car you can enjoy hot spring hopping and comparing the different waters

In addition to its hot springs, Aizu Highlands is also known for its beautiful starry sky, which at night is filled with stars like a planetarium

Aizu Kogen Hoshinosato Hotel: A one-stop inn where you can enjoy the starry sky, skiing, and hot springs

Panoramic view of the hotel from the official Hoshinosato Hotel website

previously a hot spring inn called "Sayuri-so," it relocated and reopened as "Hoshi no Sato Hotel" in September 2021

Because it is located in the middle of nature and is dark at night, it is popular as a hot spring inn where you can enjoy the starry sky, and is also called a "natural planetarium."

Type C (Japanese-Western twin room) guest room. From the official website of Hoshinosato Hotel

The guest rooms include simple Western-style twin rooms and Japanese-Western style twin rooms with raised tatami floors, as well as luxurious Japanese-Western style twin rooms with private hot spring baths that flow directly from the source, making them highly recommended as you can bathe at any time of the day

Private bath from the official website of Hoshinosato Hotel

In addition to the large public bath with an open-air bath, there is also a private hot spring that can be reserved for up to four groups per day, allowing you to relax and enjoy the skin-beautifying water without worrying about others. However, reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is best to check in early and make a reservation

Dinner menu example from Hoshinosato Hotel official website

For dinner, you can enjoy a course of creative Japanese cuisine, renowned for its taste and quantity, at your leisure in the spacious and bright restaurant

we recommend the fresh local milk and grated Nango tomato juice


Hoshinosato Hotel <Information>

  • Facility name: Aizu Kogen Hoshinosato Hotel
  • Address: 278 Kaiyunoiri, Minamiaizu-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0241-73-2121
  • URL: Hoshinosato Hotel official website

Google Map


summary

In the Aizu region, hot springs of various qualities gush forth in abundance in the midst of nature

The Aizu Basin is one of Japan's leading rice-producing areas, and is also a place for sake, as not only hot springs but also pure water springs from the mountains

Enjoy hot springs, local sake, and local cuisine while exploring the history of the Aizu domain, including Tsuruga Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle) and Iimoriyama, the site of the Byakkotai


Related article: Hot springs in other areas


Other articles