Iizaka Onsen has been visited by great people, and Tsuchiyu Onsen has a wide variety of hot spring sources.

There are many famous and secret hot springs in Tohoku, and Fukushima City is a treasure trove of hot springs, including Iizaka Onsen, Tsuchiyu Onsen, and Takayu Onsen. The three hot spring villages are called "Fukushima's three famous hot springs" and attract many hot spring enthusiasts. This time, we will introduce the three famous hot springs of Fukushima.

Iizaka Onsen has the oldest history among the three, dating back to the Jomon period. It is considered one of the ''three famous hot springs in Oshu'' along with Akiu Onsen and Naruko Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture. It is said that Yamato Takeru bathed in this hot spring during his expedition to the East, and it is also a famous hot spring that was visited by haiku poets and poets such as Matsuo Basho and Masaoka Shiki.

The spring quality of Iizaka Onsen is a colorless and transparent weakly alkaline simple hot spring. There is plenty of hot spring water, and there are over 40 accommodations along the Surikami River. What is surprising is the number of public baths. There are nine locations, and the oldest, Sabokoyu, is said to have been visited by Matsuo Basho. Local people also use it on a daily basis, and the best part of a communal bath is that you can enjoy interacting with nature. However, the public baths at Iizaka Onsen are characterized by hot water, around 45 to 50 degrees Celsius. You can adjust it with water, but be sure to ask the customer in advance for permission. ''Hakoyu'' has a relatively comfortable temperature, so it is recommended for tourists. There are also four footbaths, so you can easily enjoy hot springs anywhere.

Tsuchiyu Onsen is located in the western part of Fukushima City and has a history of over 1400 years. "Tsuchiyu Kokeshi" is also famous, and it is said to be one of the "three major kokeshi birthplaces" along with Togatta and Naruko. What is noteworthy about this hot spring village is the rich quality of the spring water. There are over 10 types of hot springs, including those with their own hot springs, such as simple hot springs, simple sulfur springs, and hydrogen carbonate springs. Some of the 18 inns and hotels accept day trip bathers, and there is also one communal bath, so one way to enjoy the area is to explore the different spring qualities. There are four footbaths, all of which are fed by natural hot spring water.

There is also a giant kokeshi doll that is 3 meters high and weighs 500 kg near the tourist office, and there are plenty of other attractions besides the hot springs, such as seasonal flowers blooming in the surrounding area.