Okutsuchiyu Kawakami Onsen

A historic secluded hot spring inn established in 1615, located at approximately 480 meters above sea level at the innermost part of Tsuchiyu Onsen Town in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. With over 400 years of history, the inn is now run by its 16th generation owner. As a member of the Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns, it stands quietly in a mountain valley surrounded by cedar and cypress trees. The inn boasts 6 natural hot spring sources, all flowing freely. Its most distinctive feature is the Hanten Gankutsu-buro (Cave Bath), a unique half-cave, half-open-air bath hand-carved by craftsmen, measuring 6 meters deep with a depth of 0.85 meters and holding approximately 21.5 tons of water. Another signature bath is the Tatchiyu Mannin-buro (Standing Bath for All), a massive bathing pool approximately 10 meters long, 4 meters wide, and up to 1.2 meters deep, holding approximately 30 tons of water. The spring water is a simple thermal spring with source temperatures of 57-60 degrees Celsius and an abundant flow of 261 liters per minute. The traditional wooden two-story Japanese inn has 8-13 rooms and maintains a devoted following among hot spring enthusiasts. Day-trip bathing is available, and the inn operates year-round.