Cooling Down by the River♡ A Stroll Through Tsuchiyu Onsen’s Refreshing Hot Spring Town & Tasty Local Treats
Tsuchiyu Onsen
On Day 38 of my Japan road trip, I found myself at Tsuchiyu Onsen, a quaint hot spring town nestled in the arms of Mt. Azuma. A clear mountain stream runs through the town, giving the whole area a cool, breezy vibe.
Ryokan inns line the river, with souvenir shops, cafés, and local eateries scattered along the way. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll. There’s even a hidden gem nearby—Okutsuchiyu Onsen, one of the lesser-known secret springs!
You can walk right down to the riverside and chill with a cold beer beside the water. Yes, please!🍺✨
Right in front of the onsen manju shop is a foot bath. Grab a hot spring bun, sip some iced coffee, and take a break with your feet soaking in the warm water. Bliss!
You can buy just one bun at a time, so it’s perfect for nibbling while wandering.
At “Gensen Yuan Moriyama,” you’ll find all kinds of hot spring eggs and even silky onsen pudding. There’s also a café inside for sweets and drinks!
I may have stocked up on hot spring eggs that don’t need refrigeration (lol). They keep for about two weeks—great for road trip snacks or souvenirs!
Stylish bars and soba restaurants also dot the town.
The town center features a public bathhouse called “Nakano-yu.” You’ll find the ticket machine and rest lounge on the first floor. Baths are on B1—two indoor tubs and one open-air bath.
One of the tubs had that signature hot Tsuchiyu water—silky and warm with bicarbonate spring minerals. Definitely a beautifying bath!💧✨
The Famous Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima
Tsuchiyu Onsen is a historic hot spring resort nestled at the foot of the Azuma mountain range, about 40 minutes from Fukushima Station. Said to have opened over 1,200 years ago, it was once considered one of the top three onsens of the Tōhoku region during the Edo period.
The spring water is a sodium-calcium bicarbonate type—commonly known as “beautiful skin water” for its smoothing and hydrating effects. It’s a favorite among women!
Tsuchiyu is also known as the birthplace of the “Tsuchiyu Kokeshi,” a traditional wooden doll with a small head and chubby body. You can try painting one yourself at local workshops!
In recent years, hip cafés and crafts shops have popped up in renovated ryokan, and trendy riverside bars and footbaths add a fresh twist to this classic onsen town—now popular with younger travelers too.