Fukushima Aizuwakamatsu City
A long-established inn boasting a grand public bath and a Kodaibayashi bath overlooking the magnificent beauty of the Aga River valley, plus guestrooms with open-air baths fed directly from the source
"Marumine Kanko Hotel, Aizushimogo Onsen" is a long-established, refined hotel with over 60 years of history, nestled in the rich natural beauty of Ashinomaki Onsen, the inner parlor of Aizu. Its signature Keiryu Tenburo is an open, spacious public bath where you can take in the dramatic beauty of the Aga River valley from a panoramic, vertically expansive glass window stretching high and wide. Guests can also enjoy a wide variety of baths, including Kodaibayashi no Yu, made with a giant tree said to be 2,000 years old, and a rock open-air bath softly lit by lanterns, and soak in a high-quality calcium-sodium sulfate-chloride hot spring known as a bijin no yu. The public bath area also features a sauna overlooking a panoramic forest view and a cold plunge bath. There are also guestrooms with private open-air baths fed directly from the source, allowing for an exceptional private stay.
A spacious panoramic public bath with a large picture window, offering a painterly view of the seasonal beauty of Ashinomaki's magnificent natural valley scenery. It is generously filled with a high-quality bijin no yu that has a history of more than 1,000 years, and in the roomy bathtub you can stretch out your arms and legs to your heart's content while listening to the murmuring of the Aga River and enjoying its exceptional warmth.
A public bath that luxuriously uses the massive trunk of an extremely rare ancient cypress tree, said to be 2,000 years old, for the bathtub. The gently fragrant hinoki aroma and the comforting warming effect of the hot spring create a powerful synergy, bringing a deep sense of refreshment as if you were in a forest. This bathhouse is ideal for those who want to enjoy a quiet, soothing soak.
A scenic open-air bath area with a dynamic rock bath for men, arranged with large natural stones, and a women-only open-air bath themed around Setsugekka, beautifully expressing the changing seasons. You can fully enjoy the hot spring while feeling the refreshing valley breeze and the sound of the Aga River flowing nearby against your skin.
A private open-air bath installed in every room with an open-air bath, fed 100% directly from the source. Fresh hot spring water overflows into the spacious private tub at any time of day, allowing you to enjoy bathing whenever you like while exclusively taking in the overwhelming beauty of the Aga River valley spread out before you. This is an exceptional private bath experience.
A dry sauna installed alongside each large public bath, with a calm atmosphere and the warmth of wood. Through the sauna room window, you can enjoy panoramic views of Ashinomaki's lush conifer forest and refreshing natural scenery, and relax as you work up a thoroughly pleasant sweat in gentle, soothing heat.
A compact cold plunge bath located right near the sauna stove. It is easy to go straight to from the sauna room, gently and comfortably cools down your overheated body, and refreshes your skin. After leaving the cold plunge bath, it is recommended that you stroll to the open-air bath area and enjoy some outdoor air bathing while feeling the natural breeze.
[Large public bath] 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., and 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. the next morning. Day-use bathing is available from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., for adults 1,100 yen (towel set sold separately for 400 yen).
Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen
A hot spring inn boasting a spectacular open-air bath spreading out in stepped terraces toward the gorge and superb saunas with different atmospheres
Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen
An inn where you can enjoy a spectacular open-air bath 50 m above the river and a gentle, fully tatami-covered Japanese-style large bath
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.
