Five Tourist Spots in Yunokami Onsen, Fukushima Prefecture, That Preserve the Charm of the Edo Period

Yunokami Onsen, located in Shimogō Town, Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture, is a place that can be enjoyed in any season, with plenty of attractions. For sightseeing around the area, the 'Yuttari Aizu Tobu Free Pass' is a convenient and cost-effective ticket, valid within the free ride area from the Kinugawa Onsen area to the Aizu area. The free ride area allows unlimited rides for four days, making it very useful for sightseeing in the Nikko and Aizu areas.
On the Aizu Railway, there are also special trains like the 'Ozashiki Train' and 'Trolley Train,' offering a different and exciting experience, making for unforgettable travel memories. Around Yunokami Onsen, there are tourist spots that evoke a nostalgic, original scenery often imagined by many Japanese people. Here, we will introduce must-visit tourist spots around Yunokami Onsen.

1. Thatched Roof Station Building - Yunokami Onsen Station

Yunokami Onsen Station, the gateway to Yunokami Onsen, has a thatched roof station building. The nostalgic thatched roof station is one of only two in Japan. It has also been selected as one of the "Top 100 Stations in the Tohoku Region," making it a must-visit spot when going to Yunokami Onsen.
Inside the station's waiting room, a fire is lit in an irori (hearth). This is to drive away the insects that gather on the thatched roof with smoke. The smoke drifting from the roof creates a nostalgic scene, reminiscent of old folk tales. This unique sight is something you can experience only at Yunokami Onsen Station. Be sure to take a photo as a souvenir of your visit.
In spring, the cherry blossoms along the platform are stunning, and the station is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. Visiting during cherry blossom season is a great idea! Also, the green mountains in summer, the autumn foliage, and the winter snow create picturesque scenes throughout the year.
There are two "hand baths" installed at both the station entrance and platform. The barrels are filled with flowing spring water. If you visit during the cold winter, warm your hands in the hand bath. The fact that the spring is in a sake barrel adds a touch of local flavor, reflecting the famous sake of Fukushima.
Additionally, there is a foot bath called "Oyako Jizo-son no Yu." It’s accessible from the station and allows visitors to relax with a foot bath while waiting for their train or during sightseeing breaks.

2. The Home of the Bathing God - Yunokami Onsen

Yunokami Onsen boasts one of Japan’s highest levels of water transparency. Located in the central part of the Okawa Line, it offers beautiful views of the Okawa Gorge. Along the Okawa Gorge, several inns and guesthouses line the area, and there are foot baths in the hot spring town. The hot spring water at Yunokami Onsen is a weak alkaline simple spring, with a high concentration of negative ions, making it excellent for warming the body. It is said to have therapeutic effects for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, poor circulation, skin beautification, and fatigue recovery.
In Yunokami Onsen, a program called "Yumeguri Monogatari" is held, allowing visitors to enjoy three different hot springs. By purchasing an "entry ticket" shaped like a Kokeshi doll, you can bathe in the hot springs of inns displaying a sign for the Yumeguri Monogatari. This allows for a leisurely walk around the hot spring town while enjoying the baths. Include this in your sightseeing plan for Yunokami Onsen!

3. Okawa Gorge Line (Tō no Hetsuri)

The "Okawa Gorge Line" runs through the center of Yunokami Onsen, where the Okawa River flows and large, oddly-shaped rocks rise along the riverbanks. The strange shapes of the rocks in Okawa Gorge were naturally formed over millions of years. The current shapes were created by the river’s erosion and the effects of weathering.
The rocks continue to be slowly eroded, and it is amazing to think that in tens of thousands of years, their forms may change yet again. Each rock has a name, so asking the locals at Yunokami Onsen about them can add to the charm of your visit!
The most famous part of the Okawa Gorge Line is "Tō no Hetsuri," which has been designated a National Natural Monument. The name "Tō no Hetsuri" comes from the steep cliffs that resemble towers. "Hetsuri" is a local term meaning "steep." You can get up close to the cliffs and enjoy views of the suspension bridge above the Okawa River and the walking paths beneath the rocks, offering a close-up experience of "Tō no Hetsuri."
Nearby, there is a charming unmanned station called "Tō no Hetsuri Station" on the Aizu Railway, where a cute Kokeshi doll welcomes you. It is only a 3-minute walk from the station. This station has also been selected as one of the "Top 100 Stations in Tohoku," making it a popular tourist spot when visiting Yunokami Onsen.

4. National Natural Monument - Nakayama Wind Hole and Special Plant Community

Located about a 30-minute walk from Yunokami Onsen Station, the "Nakayama Wind Hole and Special Plant Community" is a natural monument. At an altitude of 500 to 600 meters, there are several wind holes of various sizes, from which cold winds blow through gaps in the ground. The temperature in the area is quite cool, even in summer, so it’s a great place to cool off during a hot summer visit!
Due to the cool air, alpine plants, which usually grow at higher altitudes, flourish here. Along the way, you can enjoy various alpine plants in different seasons, making it a lovely place for a nature walk. There are several well-maintained hiking courses, so you can choose a trail that suits your fitness level.

5. Edo Period Post Town - Ōuchi-juku

Ōuchi-juku is a place where the landscape of an Edo-period post town remains intact, and it has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. It’s a recommended spot for those who want to explore the history of Yunokami Onsen.
Flowing along both sides of the street is a clear stream, and across the small bridge spanning this stream, the rows of thatched-roof buildings form a rare and valuable townscape. The sound of the clear stream has even been selected as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan." In the past, during the Sankin-kōtai (the system where feudal lords traveled between their domain and the capital), groups would rest in Ōuchi-juku, and it was an important road connecting to Edo. With its well-preserved historical atmosphere, Ōuchi-juku offers a chance to feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Edo period.

◎ Summary

Around Yunokami Onsen, there are many other tourist spots aside from those introduced here. You might think that visiting Yunokami Onsen in winter would be tough because it’s in a snow country, but it offers the charm of seeing the thatched roofs and snow-covered gorges while enjoying a warm bath in the onsen.
The surrounding mountains and gorges offer beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, and with the thatched roofs of Yunokami Onsen Station and Ōuchi-juku, the hearths, and the traditional Japanese landscapes, no matter the season, it’s a trip full of warmth and relaxation. Use the spots introduced in this article to help plan a trip that suits you!