Daikokuya, Kashi Onsen, Fukushima Pref.

Rotenburo for ladies of "Ebisu no yu". They say the best time to see beautifully colored leaves is around Oct. 20 every year. (photo: Oct.2009)

Kashi Onsen（甲子温泉） in Fukushima Prefecture, Tohoku Region has long history since first discovered in 1384. It was forgotten for long time, rediscovered in 1600 and the first ryokan was built in 1636.

There is still only one ryokan named Daikokuya（大黒屋） now. It had been under renovation for a while, and the newly rebuilt main building opened in late June this year. They used to close the ryokan from late Nov. to end of March, but it's going to open throughout the year from coming winter.


Newly built main building and annex buildings accommodate up to 60 persons.

There are two fountainheads, spouting 380 liters per minute together, both of them are transparent without strong scents, their touches are soft and smooth. One is 45.1°C and the other is 45.8°C at the fountainheads, around 40-41°C in the baths, perfect for long time soaking (at least for me).


Big and deep "Oiwaburo".

The oldest and most famous is "Oiwaburo", or big rock bath. This mixed gender indoor bath has a 150-year history and you should soak yourself standing as it has depth of 120cm. The bottom is a natural bedrock.

There is only a changing space beside the big bath tub and swim suites and rapping towels around bodies in the bath tub is prohibited. It's very difficult for ladies to soak here.


"Sakura no yu" named indoor bath for ladies sits next to the "Oiwaburo".

But don't worry. There is a separate indoor bath just for ladies next to the "Oiwaburo". And if you stay overnight, "Oiwaburo" will be open only for ladies from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM. There are no showers and other washing facilities here.

Adding to "Oiwaburo" and "Sakura no yu", there is "Ebisu no Yu", gender separated indoor and open-air baths at the main building. There are showers and equipped with soaps and shampoos. Opens from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for day visits, and from 4:00 PM for over night staying guests.　


From the left; a swimming pool, the "Oiwaburo", and the "Sakura no yu" beside Abukuma-gawa, or the River Abukuma.

 ◆Daikokuya, Kashi Onsen （甲子温泉 大黒屋）

Type: Ryokan accepts day visits. One gender mixed indoor bath, two indoor baths for ladies, one indoor bath for men, gender separated open-air baths, and a swimmimg pool (summer only).

Address: 1 Teradaira, Mabune, Nishigo-mura, Nishishirakawa-gun, Fukushima Pref.

Location: 37.180587,139.99222

Business hour: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for day visit. For overnight staying guests, checkin time is 3:00 PM, and checkout time is 10:00 AM.

Holiday: none

Admission fee: ¥630 for day visit soaking, or ¥1050 if you need resting space in a shared big room. Room charge for overnight stay starts from ¥12,750 per head incluiding a dinner and a breakfast if four of you share one room.

Access:A free shuttle bus (advance booking necessary) for day visitors from Shinshirakawa Station (east exit) of the Tohoku Shinkansen or the local Tohoku Line at 9:15 AM (returning bus leaves Daikokuya at 3:00 PM). For overnight staying guests, it leaves the station at 1:20 PM and 4:00 PM, returning bus leaves the ryokan at 10:15 AM the following day. It takes about 40 minutes one way.

Links: Official website of Daikokuya (in Japanese only)
Map of Kashi Onsen in English (scale changable)

My rating (A - E): A


There are three rooms at the annexed buildings. This is the oldest "Shoka-tei".