Fukushima Fukushima City
An exquisite inn boasting a variety of baths and the latest automatic löyly sauna, overlooking the clear flow of the Arakawa River and a famous two-tier waterfall
"Mizuo no Yado Sansuiso" is a distinguished ryokan in Tsuchiyu Onsen, nestled within the rich Bandai-Asahi National Park in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, and known for its uncompromising devotion to water. Guests can enjoy a variety of baths with different atmospheres throughout the property, including the spectacular open-air bath Taki no Yu, which overlooks the gentle flow of the Arakawa River and a dramatic two-tier waterfall up close, and the Kuchu Rotenburo, an open-air bath modeled after the stage of Kiyomizu-dera. The water, whose temperature is adjusted with natural spring water from Sansuiso's abundant private source in Tsuchiyu Onsen, is an alkaline simple hot spring that blends smoothly into the skin and offers exceptional warming effects. In addition, the large public bath is equipped with a state-of-the-art authentic automatic löyly sauna, where you can refresh yourself with pleasant steam and heat, as well as a cool cold plunge bath inspired by the mountain stream.
A wild and spectacular open-air bath that dynamically overlooks the abundant flow of the famous Arakawa River in Tsuchiyu and a famous waterfall cascading down in two stages right in front of you. With the refreshing sound of the waterfall and negative ions washing over your whole body, you can fully savor the smooth, skin-friendly, high-quality alkaline simple hot spring in this signature bath of Sansuiso.
A spectacular open-air bath built so that it projects out toward the valley, evoking the famous stage of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. From spring cherry blossoms and fresh greenery to autumn leaves and even baths with snow, you can feel the overwhelming beauty of the valley up close. In the morning it is used as a gender-switched large public bath, and in the afternoon it becomes a luxurious private reservation-only bath for exclusive use, available for a fee.
A spacious indoor bath large public bath with large glass windows, where you can soak while gazing at the murmuring of the Arakawa River and the majestic panorama of the mountains. Tsuchiyu Onsen, gentle on the skin and beloved as a beauty bath, helps ease travel fatigue and sensitivity to cold. It is also equipped with the latest automatic löyly sauna and a cold plunge bath, making the ultimate hot-and-cold alternating bath possible.
Distinctive private baths with different atmospheres (fee required, same-day reservations only, 1 hour per session). Options include the barrel bath Hoshiten no Yu, which offers a superb view, as well as Taru no Yu, Kawasemi no Yu, and Oshidori no Yu. These luxurious spaces let you and your companions or family enjoy abundant natural hot spring water in complete privacy, without worrying about the eyes of others.
A full-scale, state-of-the-art Finnish sauna equipped in each of the large public baths, Tsuredzure no Yu and Tamayura no Yu, with automatic löyly that pours water onto the hot sauna stones. In the clean sauna room scented with the fresh aroma of Japanese cypress, the regularly rising steam and pleasant heat let you enjoy satisfying sweating all at once without putting too much strain on your body, creating a supreme sauna experience.
A refreshing cold plunge bath located right next to the sauna room, inspired by Tsuchiyu's clear water. Wrapped in pleasant coolness, your heated body after the sauna instantly tightens up, giving you a refreshing reset. You can fully enjoy an unparalleled sense of exhilaration through outdoor air baths in the indoor bath or open-air bath, or even while listening to the sound of the waterfall.
[Large Public Bath] 5:00 to 1:00 the next morning (male and female areas switch at 1:00 a.m.). Sauna hours are 15:00 to 24:00. Day-use bathing is available from 10:00 to 14:30 (last admission 13:30) for 2,000 yen for adults, including towel and lounge use.
Tsuchiyu Onsenkyo
A premier hidden hot spring inn in Tohoku, standing at 1,200 m, with 100% pure milky-white free-flowing natural spring baths
Tsuchiyu Onsenkyo
Experience the ultimate totonou with an intensely cold continuous-flow stream-water cold plunge bath and self löyly
Fukushima
A superb highland resort where you can relax with the spectacular views of Lake Hibara and a natural hot spring that leaves your skin feeling beautiful
JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA
The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan
61 SELECTIONS
Most of what we surveyed never even made it onto this site. This book is a further cut from what did. Our editor bathed in every onsen and sauna in it, and wrote only what they confirmed on the ground.
