A Premier Hot Spring Retreat with Dedicated Concierge Service
Nestled in the peaceful hot spring town of Higashiyama Onsen in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Tsuruga Higashiyama Sohonzan offers an intimate and luxurious escape for just one group per day.
It is highly regarded for its dedicated butler service, offering attentive, seamless hospitality and allowing guests to enjoy an exceptional stay in a fully private setting.
Originally built in the Showa era as a traditional Aizu kaiseki restaurant, the beautifully preserved wooden building was transformed into a private hot spring retreat and reopened in 2022. Guests can enjoy exclusive use of a spacious 169㎡ royal suite, complete with a personal butler who provides attentive and tailored service throughout your stay.
Natural hot spring with continuously flowing water
Pickup and drop-off service available
Private bath available (exclusive-use bath)
In-room bath available
IN 14:00 / OUT 11:00
About TSURUGA Higashiyama Souhonzan
One of the most distinctive features of TSURUGA Higashiyama Souhonzan is its dedicated personal butler, available to each guest throughout their stay. Your butler tailors the experience to your preferences—recommending local sake that suits your taste, preparing late-night snacks or light bites upon request, and assisting with travel planning using local insights only a native of Aizu could provide. Every detail is handled with care, ensuring a truly seamless and personalized stay.
A Luxury Retreat Filled with the Spirit of Aizu
At Tsuruya Higashiyama Main Sanctuary, you can fully enjoy hot springs, gourmet cuisine, and cultural experiences in a private space enriched with the history and traditions of Aizu—truly a retreat that encapsulates the region.
Room
As an exclusive one-group-per-day retreat, guests at Tsuruga Higashiyama Sohonzan can enjoy the rare privilege of having the entire main house, a stately wooden structure crafted by master carpenters in the Showa era, all to themselves.
Room
Royal Suite
Inside, you’ll find a spacious living room with a large TV, a dining area with a bar counter, a serene tea room, and a bedroom furnished with two Simmons semi-double beds. The suite also features a fireplace terrace overlooking a lush bamboo grove and a private hinoki bath with natural hot spring water and a sauna—a sanctuary of relaxation that can accommodate up to four guests.
Together with the attentive service of your personal butler, every detail ensures a stay that is both deeply relaxing and effortlessly luxurious.
Hot Spring
With over 1,300 years of history, Higashiyama Onsen is one of the most celebrated hot spring areas in northeastern Japan and is known as one of the “Three Great Hot Spring Villages of Ou.” The water flows directly from the source and is a mildly alkaline spring, gentle on the skin and famous for its beautifying properties. The spring type—sodium-calcium sulfate chloride—is said to warm the body to the core, leaving the skin soft, smooth, and deeply hydrated. Traditionally, it has also been believed to help with ailments such as digestive issues, neuralgia, rheumatism, and women’s health.
Hot Spring
Semi Open-Air Bath
The royal suite features a semi open-air bath made of ancient Japanese cypress (hinoki). When the large window is opened, you can soak while gazing at a tranquil bamboo grove and listening to the soothing flow of the Yukawa River.
Dinner&Breakfast
With its roots as a traditional Aizu kaiseki restaurant, Tsuruga Higashiyama Sohonzan offers an exceptional dining experience that celebrates the rich food culture of Aizu.
Dinner
Aizu Horse Sashimi (Basashi)
Aizu’s signature horse sashimi is renowned for its refined lean flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness—an exceptional dish often described as “truly moving.”
Breakfast is another highlight, prepared right in front of you by the head chef. It features grilled unagi (eel) from Fukushima, freshly made yudofu (hot tofu), homemade pickles, and even river fish sashimi depending on the season.
A unique local experience called “Asa-Ra” (Morning Ramen) is also available. Guests can choose to skip breakfast at the ryokan and, instead, depart early in the morning with their butler to enjoy Kitakata ramen at a long-established shop in nearby Kitakata City. The Aizu region has a rare local culture of eating ramen for breakfast, and several shops open as early as 7 a.m. This special experience, complete with transportation arranged by the inn, offers a delicious way to discover Aizu’s local traditions. (Advance reservation required at least two days before your stay.)
Exclusive Concierge & Butler Services
One of the most distinctive features of Tsuruga Higashiyama Sohonzan is its dedicated personal butler, available to each guest throughout their stay. Your butler tailors the experience to your preferences—recommending local sake that suits your taste, preparing late-night snacks or light bites upon request, and assisting with travel planning using local insights only a native of Aizu could provide. Every detail is handled with care, ensuring a truly seamless and personalized stay.
Concierge & Butler Service
Japanese Sake Selection
Your dedicated butler curates a fine selection of sake, shochu, wine, and champagne—all available to enjoy freely, as part of the all-inclusive service.
The ryokan is also a popular choice for special occasions such as anniversaries and celebrations. Upon request, the staff can arrange cakes, flower bouquets, or even surprise performances. On occasion, guests have been treated to a traditional dance by local geisha from Higashiyama Onsen, creating unforgettable moments of cultural elegance. With an entire team devoted to a single group, the level of attention and thoughtfulness is truly unparalleled.
For those seeking an even more exclusive experience, helicopter transfers can be arranged in addition to regular car pick-up from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station or nearby attractions. A helicopter from Tokyo Heliport (Shinkiba) to Aizuwakamatsu takes just one hour, offering a stylish and efficient way to begin your journey.
This service uses a reservation request system. After we check room availability with the accommodation, we will propose the most suitable room and plan for you.Once availability is confirmed, we will send you our proposal via LINE, and your reservation will be finalized upon completion of payment.
Plans
Standard Plan – Dinner & Breakfast Included（東山総本山）
Check-in 14:00 / Check-out 11:00
Online-Card Payment
Meal Included
Total179,900/person JPY ~
Access
151 Ishiyama, Innai, Higashiyama-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
By Rental Car from Airports
From Narita Airport: approx. 3 hrs 50 min From Sendai Airport: approx. 2 hrs 50 min From Fukushima Airport: approx. 1 hr 10 min
From Tokyo to Aizu-Wakamatsu
From Asakusa, take the Limited Express “Liberty Aizu” to Aizu-Tajima Station, then continue to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. From the station, it is a 11-minute drive.
Free Shuttle Service
We offer pick-up service from all JR stations, bus stops, and the heliport within Aizu-Wakamatsu City. (Advance reservation required.)
Basic Information
Ryokan Name
TSURUGA Higashiyama Souhonzan
Address
151 Ishiyama, Innai, Higashiyama-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Baths
Water quality
sodium-calcium sulfate chloride
Free-flowing hot spring
Directly from the source
Facilities & Features
○Hot Spring
○Free-flowing hot spring
×Large public bath
○Private bath
○Guest room with open-air bath
○Sauna
×Bedrock bath
×Within walking distance of the station
×Within a 10-minute walk to the convenience store
○Free parking available
○Free shuttle service available
×Barrier-free
○Western-style room available
○Rooms with private bathrooms available
○Bar Lounge
Common Amenities
○Hair Dryer
○Shampoo and Conditioner
○Body soap and Bar soap
○Toothbrush set
○Towel and Bath towel
○Yukata
○Hairbrush
○Face wash
○Facial toner
○Moisturizer
○Shaver
○Shaving gel
○Cotton
○TV
×Washing machine
×Clothes dryer
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have smoking rooms?+
Yes, we offer a designated smoking area within the suite.
How many guest rooms do you have?+
We offer only one Royal Suite, exclusively reserved for a single party per day.
Is the butler service available to all guests?+
Yes, our dedicated butler is available to support every guest throughout their stay.
What kind of meals do you serve?+
Dinner features a regional kaiseki showcasing traditional Aizu dishes and seasonal ingredients, while breakfast is a Japanese-style meal crafted with fresh local produce.
