Published date: April 28, 2025
Sakura, Kokeshi, and Hot Springs: A Working Trip to Relax and Enjoy
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
I casually visited the town of Yumoto Onsen in Fukushima. The town is dotted with Kokeshi dolls here and there, and the mountain air felt soft and refreshing. I was enveloped in a nostalgic and tranquil atmosphere as soon as I arrived.
I took advantage of the free shuttle service from Fukushima Station to my accommodation. Along the way, the view from the car window included a tapestry of colorful flowers and mountains still capped with snow. Seeing both flowers and snow in the same scenery felt somewhat surreal, leaving a lasting impression.
The accommodation I stayed at was "YUMORI ONSEN HOSTEL," which I found through HafH and had been curious about for a while. While it had the casual look typical of a hostel, once inside, there was a lounge and reading space filled with the warmth of wood, creating a much more soothing atmosphere than I had imagined.
The Wi-Fi was excellent, and I managed to quickly take care of some work while opening my laptop a bit, as well as enjoying a book while sipping coffee. This is what it feels like to be traveling yet still able to work!
I slept in a capsule-type bed that had hints of traditional Japanese style. It was surprisingly spacious, allowing enough room to place my suitcase next to the futon. There was also a safe, adding to my peace of mind during my stay.
The lounge also featured a shared kitchen, where a family appeared to be enjoying cooking, leaving a strong impression. There was an atmosphere where the various ways travelers spent their time naturally blended, making for a very comfortable experience.
Of course, I went to the hot springs in the evening. Compact yet authentic, they thoroughly relaxed me. Dinner was a "Mikoji Rice Soup Set" served at the hostel, with a taste that was gentle and soothing to the body, perfect for a night while traveling.
The next morning, I took a leisurely walk along the cherry tree-lined path by the river. When I ventured close to the waterfall, I suddenly spotted a "Bear🐻 Warning" sign, which made me a bit nervous, but thankfully, I returned safely without encountering any bears! Haha.
I worked a little bit and got thoroughly relaxed. I would love to drop by again when I feel tired.
Experiences during the trip
In spring, I visited Fukushima in search of flowers. It turned out that there are more flower spots in Fukushima during spring than I had imagined, and my schedule was almost not enough!
This time, I will summarize the places I actually visited along with my impressions 🌸
- Hanamiyama (Fukushima City)
You can truly understand why they say "there's a paradise on earth in Fukushima"! The entire mountain is enveloped in a gradient of pink, yellow, and white, and just walking around makes you feel like you're immersed in spring. I recommend going early in the morning.
- Dake Onsen Sakurazaka (Nibonmatsu City)
A row of cherry trees extending down both sides of the slope. Walking among the flower petals felt like something out of a movie. The retro atmosphere of the hot spring town was also a perfect match.
- Janobana (Miyako City)
A pool, a garden, tulips, and peonies… it was luxurious in every sense. The combination of Showa-era buildings and spring flowers was visually stunning. It was perfect for a leisurely time with a cup of tea.
- Takayashiki Inari Shrine (Koriyama City)
The combination of the red torii gate and cherry blossoms is adorably cute. Being on a high ground, I was able to overlook the city while admiring the cherry blossoms — it felt really nice!
- Sukagawa Peony Garden (Sukagawa City)
I visited at the beginning of the blooming season. The plump buds were cute in their own right. Apparently, wisteria flowers can also be seen depending on the season!
- Horikawa Shinsui Park (Sukagawa City)
I almost had the cherry tree-lined path to myself! It was a really hidden gem.
Not only cherries but also canola flowers, forsythia, tulips, and peonies… Spring in Fukushima offers a rich variety in color, shape, and fragrance, making the journey itself truly enjoyable.