Tabist Hana Hotel Takinoya Aizu Yanaizu

The owner’s personality is what makes this place stand out. It’s a family-run inn with a homely feel, so it may not suit someone after modern, polished service. We ate a soba set meal at Hanawa, a restaurant converted from a brewery that the owner’s son started. It’s a family-run inn with a homely feel, so it may not suit someone after modern, polished service. The owner’s personality is the best part.

The rooms were spotless and well kept, and there’s WiFi throughout, though the building itself is a little old. I first tried the hot springs on a day trip last winter, and came back to stay overnight in August. The water feels lovely and you don’t cool off after soaking, which makes it especially nice in winter. The fourth-floor outdoor bath has a beautiful view. Dinner was handmade soba at the owner’s son’s recently opened restaurant, renovated from a storehouse. The soba was delicious, and the tempura was great too. I’d like to come back again.

It was my first stay at a Japanese hot spring inn. My single room was about 1.5 times larger than a single room in the city, though the toilet and bathroom were shared. The large communal bath was comfortable, and I went once at night and again early the next morning. For the price, it felt like a very good value. I chose this inn near Aizu-Yanaizu Station so I’d have more time to catch a Tadami Line train. Since it was winter, it was completely dark when I arrived, and I felt a little nervous walking part of the way. As soon as I came in, the owner greeted me in English. It seemed like they’d welcomed travelers from all over, and even though I speak a little Japanese, I felt taken seriously. When the owner heard I was going to photograph the Tadami Line, they gave me a calendar for next year. That really touched me.

I’ve stayed here before, as well as at a few other family-run inns. Some conversations during this stay touched on personal matters, and I felt as if I was intruding. The room was very clean, and the private hot spring was relaxing.