How do I get to Ashinomaki Onsen Station from Aizuwakamatsu?

Take the Aizu Railway Aizu Line from Nishi-Wakamatsu Station. The journey takes 30 to 40 minutes and costs 600 to 800 yen one-way. Trains run one to two times per hour.

Can I visit the hot springs without staying overnight?

Yes. Most ryokan offer day-use bathing within 5 to 15 minutes walk from the station. Fees typically range from 500 to 1,000 yen per person.

What type of hot spring water is at Ashinomaki Onsen?

The springs are alkaline and are traditionally used for treating skin conditions and muscle aches.

Are there restaurants or shops near the station?

The area has limited commercial facilities. Most visitors eat at their ryokan. A few small shops exist in the village.

Is Ashinomaki Onsen Station suitable for a day trip?

Yes, but plan carefully due to limited train frequency. Allow 2 to 3 hours minimum and check return train schedules upon arrival.

Aizuwakamatsu

Ashinomaki Onsen Station

3.9 (321)Train StationTransit StationTransportation ServicePoint Of InterestEstablishment

Ashinomaki Onsen Station is a small railway station on the Aizu Railway Aizu Line in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The station serves as the gateway to Ashinomaki Onsen, a traditional hot spring village with a history spanning over 1,200 years. According to local legend, the hot springs were discovered during the Heian period when a Buddhist monk noticed injured animals healing themselves in the thermal waters. The area developed as a resort destination during the Edo period, attracting samurai and travelers along the historic routes of the Aizu region.

The station itself opened in 1987 when the Aizu Railway took over operations from Japanese National Railways. It features a modest wooden structure that reflects the rural character of the surrounding hot spring village. The platform offers views of the nearby mountains and the Agano River, which flows through the valley. The station area remains largely undeveloped, preserving the quiet, therapeutic atmosphere that has drawn visitors to Ashinomaki Onsen for centuries.

Visitors arriving at Ashinomaki Onsen Station can walk to several traditional ryokan inns within 5 to 15 minutes, most of which offer day-use bathing facilities for non-guests. The local hot springs are alkaline in composition and are believed to be beneficial for skin conditions and general relaxation. The village has approximately 15 to 20 accommodation facilities, ranging from historic inns to smaller family-run establishments. Many ryokan retain traditional architectural features and offer kaiseki meals featuring local Aizu cuisine.

The station is located approximately 20 kilometers from central Aizuwakamatsu. Trains on the Aizu Railway line run between Nishi-Wakamatsu Station and Aizu-Tajima Station, with the journey from Aizuwakamatsu taking roughly 30 to 40 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around 600 to 800 yen depending on the departure point. The railway line operates with limited frequency, typically offering one to two trains per hour, so advance planning is recommended.

The area

Address

Kashu Otomachi Kamimiyori, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 969-5122, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Ashinomaki Onsen Station

cute small station with cat stationmaster. Station is decorated with cat photos; you can see the actual cat stationmaster during his business hour.

Anny

Dec 26, 2024

The cat (Sakura) is cute but the tourist experience is kinda dull. It is not possible to take pictures of the cat or with the cat due to a previous flash photography incident, so they just banned the whole thing. And the cat is not freely roaming the place like advertised on TV channels or from YouTube creators. He only sit at his designated office, at a distance from the visitor. There are a lot of pricey cat themed merchandise inside the station.

A station worth exploring. They converted the entire station into a cat Mecca, with cafe, merchandise all dedicated to cat. The station master is also a cat, really cool to see the attention to details! I was here early to catch the staff cleaning and keeping the space spotless, their dedication and culture is one that every country can learn from!

The human staff were friendly and helpful. My elderly mother wanted to look at the cat, but a young woman was standing at the viewing window for a long time so we couldn't get a chance. We traveled a long way to see it, so I wish the station staff would have said something.

The stationmaster “Love” is doing his hardest and is the most welcoming! Definitely the best station and town in Japan!