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
[Fukushima Prefecture] 3 Recommended Hot Springs in the Aizu Region, Selected for Their Hidden Hot Springs, Famous Hot Springs, and Unique Spring Quality!
[Fukushima Prefecture] 3 Recommended Hot Springs in the Aizu Region, Selected for Their Hidden 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 opened in the early Taisho era,a "simple iron carbonate spring,"and although it is colorless and transparent, it contains a lot of iron, resulting in yellowish-brown precipitates.
This is a "carbon dioxide spring," which is relatively rare in Japan , and is said to be good for cuts, peripheral circulatory disorders, cold sensitivity, and autonomic nervous system instability. In addition, the iron content warms the body and is said to be good for gynecological problems.
Tamanoyu Ryokan: A local cuisine inn with a sake advisor
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
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
The eight naturally flowing hot springs along the Takitani River, a tributary of the Tadami River,"divine springs". There are four hot spring inns and two day-trip bathing facilities, each using a different spring.
The eight hot springs are classified"sulfur-containing sodium chloride springs,"and their benefits include relief from atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, chronic eczema, epidermal pyoderma, peripheral circulatory disorders, cuts, cold sensitivity, depression, and dry skin.
The smooth-feeling water is renowned as a beauty bath that leaves skin feeling silky, and it is also said to be effective for respiratory illnesses, earning it the nickname "phlegm-clearing bath."
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
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
The two bathhouses are supplied with different hot springs. The men's bath uses the "Arayu Hot Spring," which is a "sulfur-containing sodium chloride hot spring ," while the women's bath uses the " Takinoyu Hot Spring," which is a "sodium chloride hot spring" with a slightly higher pH and a soft feel on the skin.
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
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
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
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
The relatively new "Nangokai Onsen No. 1 Hot Spring," which gushed forth in 1970, boasts a high temperature of 60°C. It is a colorless, transparent sodium chloride and sulfate spring , said to have high medicinal properties . With its smooth texture, it is a beauty bath that gives skin firmness and moisture.
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
Previously, it was a hot spring inn called "Sayuri-so," but it relocated and reopened in September 2021 as "Hoshi no Sato Hotel."
Located in a natural setting, and surrounded by darkness at night, this hot spring inn is popular for its starry night sky, and is sometimes referred to as a "natural planetarium."
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
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
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
Breakfast is served buffet-style, and we recommend the fresh local milk and the "grated Nango tomato juice."
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
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!
![Whisky Collection Koriyama](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_0751-EDIT-150x150.jpg.webp "Report from the first whisky event in Tohoku, "Whiskey Collection Koriyama"! [Fukushima Prefecture]")
![Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu [Part 1]](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aiki_tkd01-300x300.jpg.webp)
