Here is a guide to the sightseeing highlights of Yunokami Onsen Station (Fukushima Prefecture), designed to help you plan your trip.
🌸 Overview: A Station Rich in Tradition
Yunokami Onsen Station (Aizu Railway) is famous for being one of only two train stations in Japan with a thatched roof (Kayabuki). It is not just a transit point; the station itself is a popular tourist destination offering a nostalgic, “old Japan” atmosphere.
1. The Thatched Roof Station Building
The most striking feature is the traditional thatched roof. It blends perfectly with the surrounding mountains, making it a favorite spot for photographers.
- Best Photo Op: Capture the quaint station building with the retro Aizu Railway train pulling in.
2. The Irori (Sunken Hearth)
Inside the station waiting room, you will find a working Irori (traditional Japanese sunken hearth).
- Experience: You can sit by the fire to warm up while waiting for your train. It is the only station in Japan with a lit hearth in the waiting room.
- Hospitality: Often, local volunteers or station staff offer tea to travelers here.
3. “Oyakojizo” Footbath (Ashiyu)
Right next to the station building, there is a free natural hot spring footbath.
- Details: It operates from around 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Tip: It is the perfect way to relax your tired feet after walking around nearby sightseeing spots while watching the trains go by.
📸 Seasonal Highlights
- Spring (Mid to Late April): The station is famous for its Cherry Blossoms (Sakura). There are about 30 cherry trees planted alongside the tracks. The sight of the train passing through a tunnel of cherry blossoms against the thatched roof is spectacular.
- Winter (January – February): The station covered in deep snow looks like a scene from a fairytale.
🚌 Nearby Major Attractions
Yunokami Onsen Station serves as the gateway to two major Fukushima landmarks:
1. Ouchi-juku (大内宿)
A famous post town from the Edo period that retains its original streetscape of thatched-roof houses.
- Access: About 15 minutes by bus (“Saruyu-go” bus) or taxi from the station.
- Must-Eat: Negi-soba (Buckwheat noodles eaten with a whole green onion instead of chopsticks).
2. To-no-Hetsuri (塔のへつり)
A designated Natural Monument featuring tower-like cliffs formed by erosion and weathering over millions of years.
- Access: It is technically the next stop by train (To-no-Hetsuri Station), but it is also a short 5-minute taxi ride or a nice hike from Yunokami Onsen.
ℹ️ Practical Information
- Location: Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture.
- Line: Aizu Railway Aizu Line.
- Coin Lockers: There are coin lockers available at the station to store your luggage while you explore.
