Hot springs, two buffet meals, and all-you-can-drink during dinner included! A review of our stay at Itoen Hotel Iizaka Kanaya [Iizaka Onsen, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture]

Itoen Hotel Iizaka Kanouya in Iizaka Onsen is a popular hot spring hotel known for its reasonable prices, with rates varying depending on the season and plan, but including one night's stay with two meals, and unlimited alcoholic beverages during dinner

To find out why, this time we've decided to bring you an on-site report based on an actual stay, including details about the hotel rooms, facilities, services, buffet-style meals, and all-you-can-drink options

Iizaka Onsen, one of the three most famous hot springs in Oshu, is a historic hot spring where even Yamato Takeru is said to have sought treatment

This is a hot spring resort town in Iizaka-machi, Fukushima City, with about 60 inns and hotels lining both banks of the Surikami River

Its history is ancient; it is said that Yamato Takeru used the hot springs for therapeutic purposes during his eastern expedition in the 2nd century, and Matsuo Basho also recorded staying there while writing "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)

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#i-5

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...

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Accommodation plans for "Itoen Hotel Iizaka Kanaya"

This time, my husband and I booked a room with a view of the Surikami River from a river-facing room, including a one-night stay with two meals and an all-you-can-drink buffet plan!

This time, the price for two people was 19,330 yen (plus a separate hot spring tax of 150 yen per person). Accommodation rates vary depending on the season, day of the week, and plan details, but this plan included one night's stay at a hot spring hotel with two meals, plus unlimited alcoholic beverages at dinner, making it a very reasonable option

Check-in is at 3 PM! If you're going by car, check in early

Although we stayed on a weekday (Tuesday), the parking lot in front of the hotel was almost full when check-in opened at 3 PM, and our car was the last one there

Cars that arrived immediately after were directed to a different parking lot some distance away, so to park in front of the hotel, it's best to check in after 2 PM and wait in the lobby or elsewhere until 3 PM

Also, since reservations for free karaoke and private baths are on a first-come, first-served basis, we recommend checking in early for that reason as well

Here's a look at our river-view rooms and hotel facilities

After checking in, I was given the key to room 512 on the 5th floor of the "Flower House," and I first put my luggage in the room

The room was a 10-tatami mat Japanese-style room with a view of the Surikami River from the window, and the futon was already laid out when I checked in

The room had a toilet with a bidet function and a bathroom equipped with shampoo and other toiletries, but I didn't use them as I enjoyed a natural hot spring bath in the large communal bath

The rooms are equipped with amenities such as a TV, telephone, electric kettle, refrigerator, and hairdryer, and toiletries such as towels and toothbrush sets are also provided

Yukata (Japanese summer kimono) are available in the yukata corner in the lobby, and you can choose the design and size after checking in

Furthermore, on clear days, you can see Mount Azuma-Kofuji in the distance from the rooms facing the Surikami River

A spacious and relaxing public bath with a comfortable jet bath

The large public bath is open from 2:00 PM to 1:00 AM the following day, and from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the morning. The two private baths can be reserved for 40 minutes per group between 4:00 PM and midnight

The men's bathhouse, "Moon House," and the women's bathhouse, "Snow House," are located on the first basement floor of separate buildings. They were a bit far from our rooms, but we enjoyed bathing while overlooking the river

There are jets of water sprayed into the bathtub, providing a massage effect that helps relieve fatigue from driving

The hot spring water is classified as a simple hot spring, and its benefits include relief from frozen shoulder, joint stiffness, joint pain, neuralgia, muscle pain, bruises, chronic digestive diseases, and sprains

Free entertainment facilities

The private karaoke rooms (2 rooms) are available for free for 60 minutes per group from 10:00 to 24:00, but on this particular day, the available time was from 19:30 to 20:30

The table tennis area is also free to use from 9:00 to 23:50, with each group using it for 50 minutes. The mahjong area is also free to play from 14:00 to 11:00 the following day, by reservation only

In addition, Go and Shogi sets are available for free rental, so you can enjoy them at your leisure in your room

Additionally, the shop is open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, making it convenient for purchasing souvenirs and other items

Enjoy a buffet-style dinner and breakfast

For dinner, approximately 50 kinds of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes are offered. On this day, dinner is served in two 90-minute shifts: the first from 17:30 to 19:00 and the second from 19:30 to 21:00

Since you can choose your seat freely, those who want to secure a seat that is easy to access or a window seat should line up at the entrance of the dining area before the scheduled time

While the food isn't expensive or extravagant, every dish is delicious and satisfying

Sashimi and nigiri sushi (salmon, marinated mackerel, squid, boiled shrimp) are popular and sell out quickly, but they are constantly being replenished, so you can relax and enjoy your meal without worry

Of all the dishes prepared that day, my favorite was the pork stew, which was packed with tender chunks of pork and very satisfying

Additionally, ramen, soba, and udon are offered as a final dish, and with the ramen, you can cook the noodles to your preferred firmness, making it a fun and enjoyable experience

Although there were many kinds of sweets such as cakes and tarts, I prioritized alcohol and didn't try any. My companion said that everything was delicious, but the milk bar was the best

For dinner, you can enjoy unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for 90 minutes!

All alcoholic beverages, including draft beer, shochu, sours, sake (cold and hot), whiskey, and highballs, are all-you-can-drink during dinner, and the beer glasses are kept ice-cold

Additionally, soft drinks such as juice, cola, coffee, and tea are available for unlimited consumption not only at dinner but also at breakfast

I thought 90 minutes might be too short, but I was almost full after only 30 minutes of eating, so I was actually able to enjoy the alcohol at a leisurely pace

If I were to be picky, it would have been even better if they had some wine or whiskey, even if it was inexpensive

Seasonal limited-time fairs

On this day, the "Enjoying Spring with a Cherry Blossom Viewing Plate" fair was being held, and a plate beautifully arranged for two with spring-themed appetizers, along with two bottles of local sake, was provided

The local sakes we had were "Ninkiichi Junmai Ginjo" from Ninki Shuzo in Nihonmatsu City and "Adatara Ginjo" from Okunomatsu Shuzo. Both had a gorgeous ginjo aroma and a rich umami flavor, making them an excellent match for the food

The sake in the all-you-can-drink section was just ordinary honjozo, so the complimentary two bottles of local sake were very much appreciated. The bottles were emptied in no time, but they were quickly replenished

It seems that special limited-time plans will be available each season, so don't forget to check them before making a reservation

A slightly luxurious special order dish

For those who find the buffet menu insufficient, you can order special dishes such as Fukushima beef steak and abalone sashimi

Orders at the front desk are accepted until 4 PM on the day of service, so it's a good idea to place your order when you check in

Breakfast offers a wide variety of Japanese and Western options, so be careful not to overeat!

Breakfast is served in two sittings, one at 7:00 and another at 8:15, and since we had a relaxed departure schedule, we opted for the second sitting

The menu includes grilled fish (dried horse mackerel, grilled mackerel), omelets, natto, onsen tamago (soft-boiled egg), yudofu (boiled tofu), and shumai (steamed dumplings), all of which go well with white rice. I personally enjoyed the onsen tamago as TKG (egg over rice)

Additionally, they offer two types of bread: sliced ​​bread and whole wheat rolls. The breakfast is well-balanced, consisting of an omelet, ham, sausage, salad, fruit, and yogurt

Incidentally, I ate way too much rice and bread this morning, and was unable to move for a while afterward

Itoen Hotels' concept is "hot spring inns you'll want to visit again and again."

Ito Hotels is a group that acquires struggling hot spring hotels, mainly in eastern Japan, renovates them using their existing facilities, and offers affordable hot spring travel packages

As of May 7, 2026, the company operates 51 hot spring hotels, including four in Fukushima Prefecture (including "Iizaka Kanaya," where I stayed this time) and one in Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region

Itoen Hotel Iizaka Kanaya <Information>

• Facility name: Itoen Hotel Iizaka Onsen Kanouya
• Location: 2-4 Yunokamikawahara, Iizaka-machi, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0570-051-780
• URL:Itoen Hotel Iizaka Kanaya Official Website

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summary

"Itoen Hotel Iizaka Kanaya" has been a popular hot spring hotel since its reopening as part of Itoen Hotels in December 2017, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy the famous hot springs of Iizaka Onsen at reasonable prices

The buffet-style meal, while lacking in luxurious dishes, offered a good variety of tasty food that was thoroughly enjoyable

As someone who enjoys drinking, I was very grateful for the all-you-can-drink alcohol during dinner, and the free karaoke and table tennis were also a welcome bonus

DaiwaConsilio

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!