Iizaka Onsen

If you visit Iizaka Onsen, be sure to check out the "Nine Public Baths." Use the bathing ticket included in the "One-Day Free Pass" and enjoy hot spring hopping. Iizaka Onsen is famous for its hot springs with high temperatures. It's recommended to soak in the hot water and sweat a lot. Some places even sell towel sets and shampoo, so it's okay to enjoy the hot springs empty-handed!

The Former Horikiri Residence is a mansion of wealthy farmers that has been around since the Edo period. The "Jukken Storehouse" on the premises is the largest and oldest existing storehouse in Fukushima Prefecture. Inside the residence, there is a video corner and exhibition space introducing the Horikiri family, and you can visit the historically valuable buildings. In addition, footbaths and handbaths are installed in the garden, and you can enjoy hot spring water flowing directly from the source. The time spent soaking in the footbath while admiring the beautiful garden is truly a blissful moment. Towels are also available for free rental, so feel free to enjoy the footbath with peace of mind.

Iouji Temple is a temple of the Shingon sect Toyoyama school, founded by Kukai in 826. It enshrines the Yakushi Nyorai, a Buddha known for healing illnesses, and has been beloved since ancient times. In fact, Iouji Temple is the family temple of the "Satou clan," a branch of the Oshu Fujiwara family that ruled Iizaka, and is also associated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Many treasures, such as scraps of clothing given to Yoshitsune as mementos and wooden saddles, are stored in the "Rurikoudou" hall. It's also a popular spot for those who collect temple stamps, as you can receive a stamp here. Don't miss out on this must-visit spot for history buffs.

The Fukushima Kataoka Tsurutaro Art Garden is located just a minute's walk from Hanamizusaka Station on the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line. The art museum displays numerous artworks by Tsurutaro Kataoka, who is not only a celebrity but also an "artist." His prints, pottery, calligraphy, and paintings are delicate yet dynamic. His works are filled with a "unique healing" quality, allowing you to catch a glimpse of his talent. There is also a goods corner, making souvenir shopping enjoyable.

The Iizaka Meiji Taisho Glass Art Museum is a highly popular tourist spot in Iizaka Onsen. It exhibits over 1,000 rare and valuable glassworks from the Meiji to Taisho era. The works on display include the "Hida Hirabachi," with a rim that folds like a pleat, the "Ice Cream Bowl" for single servings of ice cream, and pieces such as the "Mieoi Glass" and "Kawari Fubuki" that were exhibited at the Industrial Exposition, all of which allow you to feel Japan's unique culture. Take in the rustic sparkle of the glass to your heart's content.

"Iizaka Onsen Hanamomo no Sato" opened in 2007 under the guidance of former Utsunomiya University professor Masao Yoshida. Currently, about 300 peach blossoms are planted on the 80-acre site. The best time to see the flowers is usually from early to late April. From classic varieties to rare ones, the scenery of red, pink, and white flowers blooming is truly a "peach paradise". Festivals are also held during the blooming season, making it recommended for the whole family to participate!

Iizaka Onsen is known for its variety of gourmet foods, making it a great place to enjoy food walking. One particularly popular spot is Patisserie Sawada, located about a 3-minute walk from Iizaka Onsen Station. Their Pure Orange Cake and exquisite Castella, made with carefully selected ingredients by the patissier, are sure to be addictive. Other shops sell local specialties such as Radium Tamago (eggs) and gourmet foods inspired by the morning drama "Yell". Take a break during your stroll through the hot spring town and stop by these shops.

In the evening, many shops in Iizaka Onsen open, so when staying at a ryokan, head out to the town at night. For dinner, we recommend the famous Fukushima dish, disk-shaped dumplings, which can be enjoyed at Chouei Iizaka Honten. The filling is packed with vegetables and wrapped in a thin skin before being fried, making it so delicious that you won't be able to stop after just one. Enjoy the "homemade taste" of wrapping the filling after receiving an order!