Iizaka Onsen

Iizaka Onsen is one of the leading hot spring resorts in Tohoku, spreading along the Surikami River in the western part of Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. This ancient hot spring is said to have been discovered about 2,000 years ago by Prince Yamato Takeru, and its long history has earned it a place among the “Three Great Hot Springs of Oshu,” along with Naruko Onsen (Miyagi) and Akiu Onsen (Miyagi). In 1689, during the Edo period, the haiku master Matsuo Basho is also known to have stopped here on his journey along the Oku no Hosomichi, and many literary figures, including Masaoka Shiki and Yosano Akiko, visited this area. It was once so famous that it was called “Iizaka in the east, Beppu in the west.”

Hot Springs and Public Baths

Iizaka Onsen is lined with more than 80 inns and hotels, where visitors can enjoy not only overnight stays but also day-use bathing. Scattered throughout the town are nine public bathhouses (though some sources say there are eight) and four footbaths, allowing visitors to experience a hot spring culture deeply rooted in local daily life. One of the charms of the area is the chance to enjoy a “bath-hopping” stroll.

Particularly symbolic is Sabakoyu. It is said that both Prince Yamato Takeru and Matsuo Basho bathed here, and it has become an iconic symbol of Iizaka Onsen. The former Sabakoyu was built in 1889 and was regarded as the oldest surviving wooden public bathhouse in Japan at the time. Due to aging, it was faithfully rebuilt in 1993. The bath uses “kanseki,” a stone referenced in a poem by Yosano Akiko, allowing visitors to feel history and culture through direct experience.

The waters of Iizaka are gentle and help keep the body warm long after bathing, and they are also known as beauty-enhancing waters. Loved not only by tourists but also by local residents, they continue to convey the atmosphere of a traditional hot spring town.

History and Culture

Iizaka Onsen was once called “Sabako no Yu” or “Sabako no Yu.” The haiku poet Matsuo Basho stayed here during his journey along Oku no Hosomichi, and Yosano Akiko wrote the following poem about it: “Even in the bath of kanseki / the moonlight shines into / the village of Iizaka.” As a famous hot spring beloved by literary figures, it is a resort of great literary value.

Nearby Attractions

Iizaka Onsen is also famous as the “village of fruit.” In the orchards near the hot spring district lies an area known as the Fruit Line, where visitors can enjoy seasonal fruit picking from early summer to late autumn, beginning with cherries in June and continuing with peaches, pears, grapes, and apples. The fruits of each season are one of the pleasures of visiting in combination with sightseeing.

The hot spring town also features facilities such as Kuyotei and Go-Kobo Kokon, where souvenirs are sold, making them ideal places to create memories of your trip.

Iizaka Onsen is an ancient hot spring said to have been discovered by Prince Yamato Takeru about 2,000 years ago, and it is one of Tohoku’s most celebrated hot spring resorts, ranked among the Three Great Hot Springs of Oshu. With public bathhouses and footbaths such as Sabakoyu, along with the abundant blessings of fruit, it is a hot spring destination where the atmosphere of an onsen town and the culture of the region come together in harmony. While preserving the nostalgic charm of a traditional hot spring town, it is also conveniently accessible and enjoyable for both day trips and overnight stays. It continues to offer visitors a pleasant and memorable experience, making it one of the representative hot spring destinations of Tohoku.