Lake Side Hotel Minatoya is located near Lake Inawashiro, known for its clear waters, often referred to as 'Heaven's Mirror.' It is also connected to Dr. Hideyo Noguchi and is situated within Bandai-Asahi National Park, offering a range of outdoor activities such as summer marine sports and winter views of swan migrations.
Guests can experience Fukushima's first Finnish-style tent sauna, located on the sandy shores of Lake Inawashiro. The hotel also features a rooftop BBQ terrace that doubles as a beer garden, with indoor seating available during bad weather or in the winter months.
The hotel is located close to the dock for the Lake Inawashiro Sightseeing Boat.
| Website | https://www.h-minatoya.com/(Japanese) |
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| Contact | goyoyaku@h-minatoya.com 0242-65-2111 |
| Best Season | All Year |
| Accommodation details | Check in / Check out: 16:00 / 10:00 Hot springs: Maifan stone hot spring, sauna |
| Related info | Vending machines, smoking area English and Nepalese support available |
| Access | 969-3285 Fukushima, Yama District, Inawashiro, Okinasawa, Nagahama−870 ホテルみなとや ４Ｆ View directions |
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| Getting there | By Car: 10min from the Inawashiro Bandaikogen I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway Mapcode for Car GPS:413 081 360*23 |
Be swept off your feet by the amazing scenery at the Oguninuma Wetlands. These wetlands are located in Urabandai area, and are just one part of the stunning Oze National Park. Lots of people hike here every year at the start of summer to enjoy views of the seasonal yellow flowers, called Nikko Kisuge.
When visiting Tsurugajo Castle, remember to check out the Rinkaku Tea Ceremony Room, which is situated inside the castle grounds. The beautiful Japanese garden surrounding the tea room is well worth a visit. What's more, you can enjoy traditional Japanese matcha tea together with a seasonal treat, all while looking out at the fantastic foliage of the garden.
The Tradition of Aizu lacquerware in Fukushima Prefecture has continued for 400 years. Try out creating a design on Aizu Lacquerware with a technique called Chinkin ("Sunken-gold") at Tsunoda Lacquer Art Studio. Sketch your design on tracing paper, and then mark it onto the lacqerware with a needle. Tsunoda san will help you fill the grooves created by your needle with gold and silver powder to create your design. Alternatively, try painting your own design on Aizu lacquerware at the studio. Either experience will create a great souvenir of your trip in Japan. These experiences take about an hour.
Bookings for the akabeko painting can be made on the official reservation page.What is 'Akabeko'?The akabeko legend started at Enzoji Temple in Yanaizu Town, in the Aizu region. The construction of this temple began in the year 807, but due to a huge earthquake at the end of the seventeenth century, it had to be repaired in 1617. It was during the reconstruction of the temple that the akabeko became a folk legend.It is said that moving the wood and other supplies necessary for the reconstruction work was incredibly difficult because materials had to be transported from various villages upstream of the Tadami River. The materials were heavy and the journey to the temple was long. Cattle were used to transport materials, but many struggled to bear their loads.Then, out of nowhere, appeared a cow with a red coat. (It should be noted that, in the past, the word ‘red’ was used to describe the color ‘brown’, so it is likely that it was a brown cow.) The red cow supported the other cows and helped the priests who were constructing the temple until it was completed. Then, it suddenly vanished.'Akabeko' means 'red cow' in the local dialect.A number of statues of the cow were built inside the temple grounds so that the people of Yanaizu could express their gratitude to the akabeko.In the years following, there was a range of legends about the akabeko, with stories such as families who owned akabeko being rid of sickness upon stroking the cows. They continued to hold their status of bringers of good luck and strength. Families bought or made akabeko toys for their young children to play with.Akabeko Painting ExperiencesIn recent history, the Aizu tradition of painting akabeko began. It is said that this tradition started as something to do for children visiting Aizu-Wakamatsu City as part of school trips. This was when the story of the Akabeko evolved once more, into its newest papier-mâché form. The stripes on the face and back of the papier-mâché Akabeko are said to represent strength and perseverance.There are a number of workshops in Aizu-Wakamatsu City where you can paint your own Akabeko. Most workshops offer the standard red, white, and black paint. These talismans for good health make very cute and lightweight souvenirs to take home for family and friends – or keep for yourself! Those who prefer to buy a ready-painted Akabeko will be able to find it at most souvenir shops.BookingIf you would like to book an akabeko painting experience at the Tsurugajo Kaikan (a shopping complex located next to Tsurugajo Castle), please access this page.
Guest House Inawashiro Hanbog is an accommodation facility located 14 km away from Mt. Bandai, close to Lake Inawashiro and the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum.Some foreign visitors favor this modern guest house for its cozy wooden atmosphere, reasonable price, convenient location and privileged views of the mountains.But most choose it for what it stands for.The owner of this guesthouse, originally from Fukushima, lived some time in Korea and decided to come back to his hometown to promote tourism in his hometown and replicate the unique hospitality he received in guesthouses during his time abroad.Guest House Inawashiro Hanbog is a foreign-friendly guesthouse that offers more than a place to stay—it’s really a place to connect. Travelers wanting to explore outside of the box and make new friends over a few beers after a day out sightseeing should consider staying at Hanbog.Its amenities include free parking, a bar serving some of Fukushima’s local specialties, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor bonfire area, and Asian-style meals.Guest House Inawashiro Hanbog has three shared rooms: One for female guests, one for male guests, and a mixed room. Each room has two bunk beds and capacity for four people, for a total capacity of 12 people. It has two shower rooms and two washbasins.
Villa Inawashiro is a hot spring resort hotel, located in Inawashiro Town, at the foot of Mt. Bandai. It's possible to bathe in the onsen baths at Village Inawashiro each day until midnight. The spring flows from Mt. Bandai, and is called a "beautifying hot spring" and a "fertility hot spring." In the winter, visitors can enjoy winter sports at the ski resort located next to the hotel. Visitors can dine on original dishes made from the best ingredients grown on Villa Inawashiro's private farm. Located less than one hour from Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata, and close to Urabandai, Villa Inawashiro makes an excellent hub for sightseeing in the Aizu area.
Daiwa Link Aizu-Tajima offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure stays, including extended visits. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including single, twin, and double options to suit different needs.Guests can start their day with a hearty breakfast buffet in the spacious dining café, which is available free of charge. The café serves as a versatile space, suitable not only for meals but also for a range of other activities.
Hotel Listel Inawashiro is situated in Listel Park, a 700,000-square-meter property with its own herb garden, ski area, outdoor sports facilities, and more. This hotel offers a wide variety of enjoyment as an all-season destination resort.There are two types of accommodation within the hotel complex: the Wing Tower is an European-style, high-rise hotel, and the Main Building is a condominium hotel with a kitchen in each room. The spa facility is well-equipped with a number of onsen baths, including ones that guests can enjoy while wearing a bathing suit. An outdoor bath that commands a panoramic view of Lake Inawashiro is also located on site.