Iizaka Onsen: A famous hot spring loved by Matsuo Basho! Introducing recommended public baths and inns in Fukushima Prefecture

Iizaka Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture one of the "Three Famous Hot Springs of Oshu," Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture .

Iizaka Onsen nine public baths , which are popular not only with tourists but also with local residents as their daily bathing spots.

Historical figures are known to have enjoyed the hot springs here, including Matsuo Basho, who wrote about staying here on his journey through the Narrow Road to the Deep North. Other visitors include Yosano Akiko, Masaoka Shiki, and Helen Keller

This time, we will introduce some of the most recommended baths and inns in Iizaka Onsen

Public baths can generally be enjoyed for just 200 to 300 yen!

There are many public baths, and you can generally enjoy them all 200 to 300 yen , so even if you go from one to the other it won't be a big burden on your wallet. Why not try out a variety of public baths?

There are rows of quaint wooden buildings, so just walking around makes you feel nostalgic and is fun

In the center of Iizaka Onsen, Sabako Shrine , is the site of the original Sabako Onsen bath, and a monument has been erected there to commemorate the fact that Basho and Sora are said to have bathed there on their journey along the Oku no Hosomichi.

In addition to the monument, there "Ah-Shiawase no Yu" (Ah-Happiness Bath) , which serves as a place of relaxation for tourists and locals alike.

If you get tired from walking, it's nice to sit here and enjoy a foot bath

Sabakoyu, the representative hot spring of Iizaka Onsen

Sabakoyu is particularly popular .

This is the representative public bath of Iizaka Onsen, where the monk Saigyo wrote a poem: "Is the village where my beloved lives, whom I parted from without ever seeing her, beyond the mountains where Sawako can be seen?" and where Matsuo Basho is said to have soothed his fatigue on his journey along the Oku-no-Hosomichi trail

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

[Series: Following the Narrow Road to the Deep North ①] The journey through Tohoku begins at the Shirakawa Barrier

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/25118

In the Edo period, before airplanes, bullet trains, or automobiles, traveling on foot was the norm, a life-threatening endeavor fraught with great hardships. (Basho) Matsuo Basho not only traveled around Tohoku on foot during this time, but also left his travelogue, along with haiku, for future generations. His work is so highly regarded that it is still included in school textbooks today, and you've likely come across his famous preface and haiku. In this seven-article series, we trace Basho's footsteps in Tohoku, introducing the current state of the places he visited and the haiku he wrote about in "Oku no Hosomichi." The Narrow Road to the Deep North and...

read more

It is currently located behind Sabako Shrine. The cypress building exudes timeless beauty, and the granite bathtub is symbolic

And above all, you can experience the heat of the water, which is Iizaka Onsen's greatest feature

The sign says "Bath temperature 47 degrees ." The spring temperature is 51 degrees, so if you don't add water, the actual temperature will be around 50 degrees.

Many people can enjoy the hot springs when the temperature is in the low 40s, but when it gets to around 50 degrees, it can feel extremely hot

The building is separated into men's and women's baths from the entrance, and inside, the changing room and bathtub are in the same space. The bathtub is located one step down from the changing room

The changing rooms are all separate and lockable, so you can feel safe

No shower or faucet

There is no shower, so we have to fill the bath with hot water and pour it over ourselves. At this point, we are shocked by the heat

Pouring water over yourself is important not only to remove dirt but also to help you get used to the heat. Many people pour water over themselves many times, carefully

If it's too hot, add water

When you actually get into the bath, it still feels hot. If you look at the wall, you'll see a sign that reads, "Many tourists enjoy visiting public baths. As most people don't like hot water, please keep the water temperature at a comfortable level (around 43 degrees)."

This is a warning for locals, meaning that 's hot, you can add water

Don't forget to say hello to other customers

Of course, if there are other people in the drink, it would be inconsiderate to start pouring water without saying anything. Make sure to ask, "May I add some water?" before pouring

However, this heat is precisely what makes Iizaka Onsen so appealing, so it is recommended that you do not fill the bath too much and only fill it to the point where you can tolerate it

Sabakoyu＜Information＞

• Name: Sabakoyu
• Address: 32 Yuzawa, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone: 024-542-5223
• URL: https://www.iizaka-onsen.jp/sabakoyu

Google Map

Nakamuraya Ryokan, a long-established inn that has been in business since the Edo period

Nakamuraya Ryokan recommended .

This inn is located almost in the center of the hot spring resort and is a registered tangible cultural property of the country

This is because it was built in an architectural style from the Edo period that is difficult to recreate in modern times. The beautiful contrast of the reddish tiled roof and white walls creates a stunning exterior

The guest rooms are spacious and consist of three rooms

The Edo period building and the subsequent Meiji period extension are connected within the hotel, and both buildings contain guest rooms, but the interior design of the rooms is almost identical

Its distinctive feature is the spacious three-room space. By opening the shoji screens that separate it, you can get a clear view and feel the spaciousness

As each group uses such a large room, only four groups can stay per day, so you should make your reservation early once your travel dates are decided

Everywhere in the building is photogenic!

Just walking around the building, which exudes Japanese beauty, is a joy. No matter where you take a photo, it's Instagrammable

The staircase is made entirely of cypress and has been hand-carved by artisans. It has ceiling , which is made by arranging boards in a lattice pattern, giving it a sense of attention to detail.

Two private baths

Two baths are available for private use

Relaxing bath

One is the "Relaxing Bath," which looks like a typical bath found in a traditional Japanese inn, but the water is alkaline and moisturizes the skin, a characteristic of Iizaka Onsen

Yoemon no Yu

The other is "Yoemon no Yu," named after the inn's first owner. This is the very essence of Iizaka Onsen, as there are no showers or faucets

The previously mentioned Sabakoyu was rebuilt in 1993, and granite and kansui stones were donated at the time. These stones were used to build the building

The water is directly drawn from the source, so it's very hot. However, since this is a private bath, you can adjust the temperature to your liking without having to worry about disturbing the local regulars

Nakamuraya Ryokan <Information>

• Name: Nakamuraya Ryokan
• Address: 18 Yuzawa, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone: 024-542-4050
• URL: https://iizaka-nakamuraya.com/

Google Map

Namiraiyu, located along the river

There are probably many people who think, "I want to enjoy Iizaka Onsen on a day trip, but I don't want to have to ask the regulars every time they add water, like at Sabakoyu." For those people, we recommend Hakoyu .

Install a warm bathtub

Namiyu is located about a three-minute walk from Sabakoyu and has recently become popular with tourists. This is because it has two bathtubs, one of which is preset to a "lukewarm" temperature.

It is popular because it is easy to drink and does not require adding water. Although it is called lukewarm, it is the same temperature as in Iizaka Onsen, so it is usually just the right temperature or a little hot

A nice view of the inns along the river

Namiraiyu is built along the Surikami River, and you can see the rows of inns built along the river. There are benches on the balcony, and many people come here to relax

Due to these circumstances, the standard admission fee for the public baths at Iizaka Onsen is 200 yen, but here it is 300 yen

Haguyu <Information>

• Name: Hakoyu
• Address: 30 Totsunamachi, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone: 024-542-5223
• URL: https://www.iizaka-onsen.jp/hakoyu

Google Map

summary

This time we have introduced Iizaka Onsen, a spot that hot spring lovers will want to visit again and again

In particular, Sabakoyu is a bathhouse that historically represents this area, so even if the water is too hot and you have to add water, it's worth the effort to go

It's popular with regulars, so you're likely to be with locals. However, they're well aware that the water is too hot for tourists, so if you ask, they'll be happy to help

It's a short and extremely cheap experience, so be sure to include it in your itinerary when sightseeing in Fukushima. Of course, it's also a good idea to stay at Nakamuraya Ryokan and fully enjoy the charms of Iizaka Onsen!

Editorial staff

I'm a member of the Neft editorial team. I love alcohol, music, and traveling, so I indulge in some drinks after work on weekdays, and on weekends, if I have free time, I travel to nearby areas.
I work hard every day with the goal of eventually traveling overseas to find connections to Tohoku through NEFT reporting.