Yumori Onsen Hostel

The public bath was roomy and comfortably warm, and I used it at least once every day. The staff were friendly, and when I arrived I could order dinner straight away. I also arranged breakfast for the next morning. It’s a clean place with a reasonable bunk price, about 3500 yen a night, though it’s fairly far from the city. The bus stop is close by. One tip for the coin laundry: check that it’s switched on before putting coins in. I didn’t, and the machine didn’t count them, so I had to ask staff for a refund. He needed to check with management.

The onsen here was a highlight. You can use it as often as you like as long as you follow the rules, including bathing completely naked, and tattoos aren’t a problem. The owners are very kind, and both the rooms and bathrooms are clean and comfortable. The location is stunning, the food at the hostel is great, and there’s a ramen place nearby that was among the best I tried in Japan. It’s not very social, since this isn’t really a backpacking place. Yumori Onsen Fukushima is a great hostel, with an amazing price for the onsen experience.

I wish I’d had more time here. I got in late, around 7:50pm, after struggling with the unfamiliar route and snowy roads. The two receptionists were expecting us and helped kindly with check-in. We were tired, hungry, and looking for food, and the staff cooked for us even though the restaurant seemed to be closed. It was one of the best meals I had on this trip to Japan. Thank you so much. The nearest convenience store or market is about 10mins away by car. The room I booked through Rakuten was huge and had its own onsen bath, with a shower area beside the tub. Coming from a tropical country, I found that shower area really cold. The spring water comes straight from the source and is hot, though it took a while to adjust it to the temperature I wanted. Soaking was amazing, especially with the snowy scenery outside. At check-in I was told the rate should be about $60 lower because the lift wasn’t working, and they returned the difference. I was happy with that.

The common bath area could use hand soap that also works as face wash, which would feel more hygienic. The outdoor bath wasn’t open during my stay, perhaps because of the weather, and that was a shame. I knew it was a no-frills place for the price, though. There’s a huge room for the price, and I loved the open lounge looking out over the Arakawa river. The staff were friendly, they had free refreshing infused water, and I liked the yukata pajamas and the little flea market happening while I was there. A wonderful stay, and I’d love to come back with friends and family.