Sabakoyu

Sabakoyu

One of the defining sights of the charming Iizaka Onsen resort, the wooden frontage of Sabakoyu was famous for long being Japan's oldest wooden public bathhouse, before being renovated in 1993. The bath facilities are open to the public, giving visitors the chance to enjoy the authentic hot spring water straight from the source. The water here can reach temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius, giving it something of a reputation amongst the locals as too hot for first-timers to handle.

The bathhouse is closed on Mondays, excepting public holidays. Guests should buy a ticket from the machine inside the entrance, and soap / shampoo are not provided, so bathers should bring their own.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Opening Hours

6:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:40)

Entrance FeeAdults: 400 yen / Children: 200 yen
Access Details
AccessYuzawa-32 Iizaka, Fukushima, 960-0201
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 25min from Fukushima City

By Train: 5min walk from Iizaka Onsen Station (20min on the Iizaka Line from Fukushima Station)

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
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Iizaka Onsen

Fukushima City's Iizaka Onsen has been used as an onsen town for over 1,000 years, and has been visited by legendary figures in Japanese literature such as Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), the master of haiku poems. Locals in Iizaka Onsen pride themselves on the well-known Japanese phrase “Beppu in the West; Iizaka in the East”, which refers to the best onsen towns in Japan.The Surikami River that passes through the town is lined on either side by 9 high-rise ryokan (Japanese-style inns). More ryokan can be found scattered about Iizaka Onsen. The town is also dotted with a number of communal baths and public foot baths. Some of Iizaka Onsen’s most well-loved local foods include include Enban Gyoza and soft-boiled eggs known as Onsen Tamago. Iizaka Onsen is also close to sightseeing spots such as Hanamomo no Sato, the Fruit Line, and Nakano Fudoson Temple.Iizaka Onsen is the site of the Iizaka Fighting Festival in October, the one night a year where a lively fight atmosphere overtakes the usually sleepy hot spring resort.
The World Glassware Hall
Nature & Scenery

Fujita River Cherry Blossoms

Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees bloom along both sides of the Fujita River for three kilometers, centering around Horinouchi Bridge near Kikuta Station. The long stretch of leafy foliage features several banks suitable for picnics under the cherry blossoms, which bloom typically in mid-April. (For reference: though blooming periods can change year-to-year, the 2025 blossoms were at full bloom around 15th April.)The riverside is served by nearby Kikuta Station on the Ban-Etsu Line, or there are large car parks near the river walk.
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