Overview
Perched at the highest point in Dake Onsen, Kounkaku invites you to experience a stay above the clouds. From sunrise views over the Abukuma Mountains to deeply soothing hot spring baths, you’ll find quiet, comfort, and inspiration in every moment. This hilltop inn in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima, lets you slow down and breathe in the sights, scents, and stillness of Japan’s mountain landscapes.
Accommodation
Every room at Kounkaku offers a scenic view and a design that reflects the local character. You can choose from Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western hybrids, or modern options designed for accessibility and comfort.
- Standard Japanese-Style Rooms: These spacious rooms let you stretch out and enjoy traditional tatami comfort.
- Japanese-Western Rooms: Combine the ease of a Western-style bed with the elegance of Japanese décor.
- Spacious Rooms: Ideal for families or small groups, these larger rooms include multiple sinks and a private bath.
- Comfort Rooms: These include barrier-free layouts, making them easy to move around.
- Panoramic Bath Rooms: Soak in a private open-air bath while looking out over the mountains.
- Business Rooms: These compact spaces are perfect for solo travelers seeking simplicity and quiet.
All rooms are non-smoking and come with a bidet toilet, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a TV, and a yukata. You’ll also find soap, towels, toothbrushes, and other essentials ready for you. If you need a hairdryer or humidifier, just ask the front desk.
Dining
Enjoy meals that highlight the bounty of Fukushima. At Kounkaku, you can taste dishes made with locally grown rice, seasonal produce, and regional specialties. The kitchen mills rice on-site and works closely with local producers to create flavors that match each season.
Dinner: Savor creative Japanese cuisine made with Adatara yeast beef, fresh seafood, and vegetables from nearby farms. You can select your main dish when booking your stay. The menu changes regularly, so you’ll always find something new to enjoy.
Breakfast: Wake up to a buffet with more than 30 dishes. Popular options include steamed buns made with Fukushima Koshihikari rice and peach-infused rice. Try the local favorite “Tama Tofu” from Watanabe Tofu Shop, and season it to your liking.
You’ll dine in beautiful spaces like Sansui-no-Ma, which looks out on a garden, or Jurakutei, a room designed to capture the feeling of travel and openness. Larger gatherings can take place in Koun-no-Ma, a hall that adjusts to fit your group size and seating preference.
Onsen and Wellness
Step into the baths at Kounkaku and discover why people have visited Dake Onsen for centuries. The mildly acidic water, sourced from Mount Adatara, feels gentle on your skin and helps warm your body from within. Locals call it a “beauty bath” for its smoothing effects.
- Yama-no-Yu Open-Air Bath: Relax in the outdoor bath while taking in views of the mountain sky.
- Private Baths: If you want a more personal soak, you can book a private bath to share with someone special.
- Chojuan Lounge: After your bath, sit down in the quiet post-bath lounge and cool off as your body absorbs the warmth.
Hot Spring Hours: 15:00–20:00 The baths close daily from 9:00–11:00 for cleaning, and from midnight until 5:00 for safety. Sauna Hours: 15:00–20:00
Guests with Tattoos
You can enjoy the hot springs, but if you prefer privacy, the private baths are a great option. Ask the staff about availability when you check in.
Facilities
Kounkaku offers everything you need to unwind and connect with nature.
- Garden: Stroll through the quiet garden paths and enjoy the view from the hilltop.
- Dining Room “Miro”: Relax over a meal in a peaceful setting.
- Salon “El Patio”: Rest and rejuvenate in a cozy salon atmosphere.
- Foot Bath: Soak your feet while you enjoy the view.
- Walking Trails: Step outside and explore the surrounding nature.
- Smoking Areas: Dedicated spaces are available on each floor.
Activities
While you stay at Kounkaku, you can easily explore some of Fukushima’s best-known attractions:
- Ski at Adatara Kogen Ski Resort (12 minutes by car)
- Visit the motorsports mecca Ebisu Circuit (10 minutes)
- Enjoy cherry blossoms at Kasumigajo Park (20 minutes)
- Hike from the Mt. Adatara trailhead (12 minutes)
- Discover the vast limestone formations in Abukuma Cave (80 minutes)
- Spend a day at Aquamarine Fukushima, an ocean-focused science museum (100 minutes via toll road)
Additional Features
- Check-in: from 3:00 PM
- Check-out: by 10:00 AM
- Reception hours: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Smoking: All rooms are non-smoking. Smoking areas and an IQOS room are available.
- Wi-Fi: Available throughout the building
- Parking: Free, with 100 spaces available (no reservation needed)
- Location: 1-85 Dake Onsen, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access
- By Car: About 15 minutes from Nihonmatsu IC on the Tohoku Expressway via Route 459
- By Train: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station, transfer to the Tohoku Main Line, and ride the bus from Nihonmatsu Station to Dake Onsen (approx. 20 minutes)
- By Air: About 70 minutes by car from Fukushima Airport
