Iizaka Onsen and Fukushima City Walk Course

Iizaka Onsen is counted among the three famous hot springs of the old northern provinces. This relaxed one-day course pairs bathhouse hopping at historic public baths with a walk through central Fukushima city.

Course Route

10:00 Start at Iizaka Onsen Station From the terminus of the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line, head into the hot spring town. Begin the walk at the foot of Totsunabashi bridge over the Surikami River.

10:30 Bathhouse hopping At the old public bath called Saba-ko-yu, soak slowly in the hot water to ease the fatigue of travel.

12:00 A local lunch in the spa town Try Fukushima specialties such as enban gyoza and wander the retro streets.

14:00 Move to central Fukushima Return by train to Fukushima Station and explore the downtown shopping streets and fruit dessert shops.

Highlights

The graceful bathhouse architecture of Saba-ko-yu, said to have been visited by the poet Basho, and the mood of the spa town along the Surikami River are the main draws.

Access and Tips

From JR Fukushima Station it is about 23 minutes on the Iizaka Line. The public baths run hot, so the trick is to take short soaks and repeat rather than overdo it.

A Quick Tip

Bringing a towel and small coins makes bathhouse hopping smooth. From summer to autumn you can also pick peaches and pears at nearby orchards.