Azumaya is a cosy ryokan hotel located in Takayu Onsen town, Fukushima City. This onsen town is famous for the blue, milky waters of its hot springs, and guests at Azumaya can truly make the most of Takayu Onsen's high-quality hot spring water.
| Website | http://www.takayuonsen.jp/en/ofuro/index.html |
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| Contact | Takayu Onsen Tourism Association |
| Parking | Available (Space for 13 cars) |
| Accommodation details | Capacity: 10 rooms (30 guests) Room styles: Japanese-style tatami rooms Room charge: 13,350 yen to 16,650 yen ~ p/p (Breakfast & dinner inluded) Check in / Check out: From 2:00 PM / Until 10:00 AM Meals: Japanese-style Hot springs: Acidic sulfur spring (hydrogen sulfide type). Indoor and outdoor baths. Private bath reservations are possible. |
| Related info | Please note: the ryokan has 3 floors, but the elevator only stops at floors 1 and 2. |
| Book a room | TripAdvisor.com |
| Access | Machiniwasaka Takayu 33, Fukushima City, Fukushima Pref. 960-2261 View directions |
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| Getting there | By Car: 30 min from the Fukushima Nishi I.C. exit off the Tohoku Expressway By Train: 30 min taxi ride from the west exit of Fukushima Sta. (or 40 min by local bus) Mapcode for Car GPS:475 276 806*61 |
This souvenir shop sells a large variety of Tsuchiyu Onsen local products, the most well-known - of course - is the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi dolls. Tsuchiyu Kokeshi wooden dolls are known for their peculiar expressions. Matsuya Souvenir Shop even includes a kokeshi workshop, where an artisan creates kokeshi right before your eyes. For a particularly unique experience, you can paint your own Kokeshi Doll!
There are records of Shirakawa Daruma (Japanese traditional dolls) being sold as far back as the feudal reign of the Niwa Domain in 1627. Current Shirakawa Daruma are known as “Shirakawa Tsurugame Shochikubai Daruma.” The faces of these dolls are painted to incorporate various animals and plants, with the eyebrows representing cranes, the mustache representing a turtle, the ears representing pines and plum trees, and the beard representing bamboo or pine trees. All of these images are thought to bring good luck. The daruma is known to be a very classical, lucky talisman, started by Matsudaira Sadanobu, the lord of Shirakawa, when he hired the renowned painter Tani Buncho to paint the now famous face on the daruma doll. Once every year a large Shirakawa Daruma Market is held to celebrate and sell the beloved daruma dolls. You can paint your own daruma at the two daruma workshops in town!
Kami-Kawasaki Washi paper has a history of over 1,000 years. It was given the name "Kami-Kawasaki Washi" because of its origin in Nihonmatsu City's Kami-Kawasaki district. Since the name of districts changes with the years, during Japan's Heian Period, it was known as "Michinoku-gami "("paper made in Michinoku").Kami-Kawasaki Washi paper has been used regularly as shoji paper (paper for sliding doors). Many people are charmed by the warmth and simple beauty of Kami-Kawasaki Washi. Paper mulberry, a type of tree used for making the paper, is grown locally. The traditional production method, from producing the raw ingredients to making the paper, is continued in Nihonmatsu City even today.Sticking to traditional production methods ensures that the finished paper has a luxuriant warmth and refinement, and is strong and durable. At present, a variety of products, such as dyed paper, folkcraft paper, and paper crafts, are produced, all of which maintain the paper's original texture. Although the demand for shoji paper is declining, there is still demand for products such as wallpaper and lamp shades. In this way, Kami-Kawasaki Washi remains important to us everyday. At the Washi Traditional Crafts Gallery - located at Michi-no-Eki Adachi (Roadside Station) - visitors can make washi postcards, paper fans, and other items.
Ebisu Circuit is a multi-course motorsport facility in the hills above Nihonmatsu City. Rather than a single racetrack, it is a collection of separate courses built across a mountainside, connected by access roads and surrounded by forest. It was developed by Nobushige Kumakubo, a professional drifter who wanted a place dedicated to practice and grassroots driving. Over time, it became closely associated with drifting in particular, both domestically and internationally.The complex is divided into several courses, each with their own unique style and character. Kita (North Course) is one of the busiest areas, with cars running along a back section that brings car speeding past the spectator wall. Nishi (West Course), traditionally associated with grip driving, includes a short layout well-known for long drift trains.Higashi (East Course), usually a grip circuit, is opened for drifting during festival periods and also houses the main circuit office. The Touge (mountain pass) course winds through a narrower hilly section with tighter bends and noticeable elevation changes.Ebisu has also become a destination for overseas drivers. Many travel specifically to experience the different course layouts, enjoy the informal practice culture and chat with other drift enthusiasts. It is common to see privately owned cars ranging from lightly modified street builds to dedicated drift machines. The atmosphere during regular days is focused on driving rather than spectacle, with participants rotating through sessions and making adjustments between runs.Three times a year, the circuit hosts the Ebisu Drift Matsuri. The festival, typically held in spring, summer, and autumn, opens multiple courses for extended sessions over several days. Drivers move between tracks, often running late into the evening, and tandem drifting is a big attraction. Unlike formal competitions, the emphasis is on participation and meeting fellow drivers. For many visitors, the festival represents the most concentrated expression of Ebisu’s identity: a large group of drivers sharing the same mountain, rotating through its varied layouts, and focusing almost entirely on drifting. Learn more about the festival with our total guide.For visitors looking to experience drifting themselves, the Drift Taxi experience lets you ride as a passenger in a special drifting car while a professional driver speeds around the circuit. Booking and more information here.
Onyado Kawasemi is a luxury, 12-room onsen hotel located on 2.5 acres of land, just outside of central Iizaka Onsen Town. Here you can enjoy everything in traditional Japanese style, from the food and hospitality to the decor and atmosphere.
Nestled in the serene surroundings of Ishikawa Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Nekonaki Onsen Shikibu no Yakata Izutsuya offers a peaceful and rejuvenating escape, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the four seasons. The tranquil atmosphere and the soothing rhythm of time spent at this onsen ryokan create the perfect setting to relax and unwind, healing the weariness of everyday life.Izutsuya’s hot spring is a rare radioactive alkaline simple weak radioactive cold mineral spring, known for its therapeutic properties. It is believed that inhaling the steam while soaking in the water can help boost immunity, making it a highly beneficial treatment. Often referred to as the 'cure-all bath,' this spring is known for its wide range of health benefits. Guests can enjoy not only the relaxing effects of the hot spring but also its positive impact on their overall well-being.The culinary experience at Izutsuya is equally important as the soothing onsen. The ryokan takes pride in offering fresh, seasonal flavors, with the menu changing each month to reflect the best ingredients of the season. Guests can indulge in traditional Japanese cuisine, carefully crafted to showcase the essence of each season’s bounty. With every dish, guests are invited to savor the true essence of Japanese culinary art, celebrating both nature and tradition.
Yado Yoshikawaya is a long-established onsen ryokan founded in the 12th year of the Tenpo era. Since its establishment, the ryokan has maintained a warm spirit of hospitality.Visitors can enjoy spacious, open-air baths that allow them to connect with nature, and barrier-free private baths. The ryokan offers a relaxing atmosphere, where guests can gaze at the changing scenery of Katakurayama throughout the seasons and listen to the soothing sound of the Surigami River. The hot springs are renowned for their skin-enhancing qualities, providing a rejuvenating experience for both body and soul.
A beautifying hot spring hotel with fantastic dining options and over 30 different baths to try.