Marumine Kanko Hotel
8,5/10 Excellent - Based on 1824 reviews
Marumine Kanko Hotel sits in the Ashinomaki Onsen valley outside Aizuwakamatsu, set along a clear river and framed by steep wooded slopes. The property presents a ryokan character with large windows and verandas that foreground seasonal views; guest accommodation ranges from traditional tatami suites to rooms offering balcony outlooks over the valley. Public spaces emphasise local craft and regional produce, and the hotel operates as a full-service resort offering year‑round hot spring bathing and hospitality in a setting that combines natural scenery with comfortable, contemporary amenities. This ryokan with onsen Fukushima provides a quiet base for exploring nearby cultural sites and the rural landscape of Aizu.
Bath facilities are a defining feature: a riverside panoramic bath with an expansive glass frontage, a cedar wood bath described on the property’s information pages, open‑air baths and a sauna give guests a mix of communal and outdoor onsen experiences. Several room types include private open‑air baths for travellers seeking seclusion, making the property also positioned as a ryokan with private onsen Aizuwakamatsu for travellers who prioritise in‑room bathing. Communal bathing areas are arranged to maximise views of the Okawa river and the surrounding gorge, while the hotel highlights traditional multi‑course kaiseki and buffet options that focus on Aizu ingredients and seasonal seafood.
Practical services include shuttle pickup from the nearby Ashinomaki station (reservation required), on‑site parking, banquet and event facilities, and family‑oriented room configurations that accommodate groups. The hotel publishes notices about periodic renovations and temporary closures for maintenance, and maintains reservation and contact channels for group bookings and special‑occasion plans. For visitors seeking a riverside ryokan experience with a range of onsen options and accessible transport links to Aizuwakamatsu, Marumine positions itself as a convenient, regionally rooted choice with extensive bathing and dining facilities.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Marumine Kanko Hotel
Positive Reviews
Spectacular valley and river views
Many guests praise the hotel's location and the impressive views from rooms and open-air baths — mountains, the river and the valley are frequently described as stunning and a highlight of the stay.
Traditional, comfortable rooms with private onsen options
Reviewers appreciate the large, traditional Japanese-style rooms; several mention private open-air onsen attached to rooms as superb and very enjoyable, with comfortable bedding and spacious layouts.
Large, pleasant onsen facilities
The communal onsen areas are described as relaxing and sizable. Guests noted enjoyable bathing experiences and overall high quality of the hot spring facilities.
Friendly, attentive staff and useful shuttle service
Staff are repeatedly described as very kind, helpful and accommodating (using translators when needed). The hotel shuttle to the nearby station and the staff's responsiveness (including compensation for inconveniences) are highlighted positively.
Buffet with wide variety of quality local dishes
Multiple reviews praise the half‑board buffet as varied and high quality, featuring many local specialties alongside some Western options; breakfasts are often described as delicious.
Negative Reviews
Strong tatami/room odours and humidity issues
Several guests reported strong smells from tatami or a general damp/odor in corridors and some rooms; a few noted visible mould in parts of the older annex, which affected comfort.
Access and transport can be inconvenient if not driving
The hotel is somewhat remote; reviewers recommend having a car. Visitors without a car needed to carefully plan bus/train schedules — though the hotel shuttle helps, independent transport is preferable to fully enjoy the area.
Hotel scale and buffet format can feel impersonal/crowded
Because the property is large and receives tourist buses, some guests felt dining in huge buffet halls reduced the intimate onsen-ryokan experience and that guests can feel like a room number during busy service times.
Some parts feel dated or have insulation/comfort problems
A number of reviews mention that parts of the hotel are 'old' or 'in its jus' — issues cited include poor insulation, cold drafts from damaged windows, noisy/heavily heated rooms, and visible wear in certain areas.
Occasional operational issues and small inconveniences
Guests reported occasional problems such as a futon perceived as too soft, onsen maintenance reducing access (temporary mixing of male/female use), instances of towels going missing, lack of self‑service ice, and long walks to annex rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types range from twin and small Japanese-style rooms to large tatami rooms that can sleep up to five people on futons; family rooms are available and children of all ages are welcome, with those aged three and older treated as adult guests for room allocation.
The ryokan offers large communal baths, open-air observation baths, an ancient cypress bath, sauna facilities, and some rooms include private open-air or indoor hot-spring baths; private rental baths are also offered for separate use.
A complimentary shuttle runs between Ashinomaki Onsen Station and the hotel (advance reservation usually required); guests travelling from Tokyo typically transfer via Shinkansen to Koriyama, then local lines to Aizuwakamatsu and Aizu Railway to Ashinomaki Onsen Station before the short shuttle.
Staff primarily speak Japanese; English is limited, and staff commonly use translation tools or will ask guests to provide requests in advance to assist communication.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 to 19:00 and check-out is by 10:00, though exact times may vary by booking so confirm at reservation.
The hotel serves traditional multi-course kaiseki dinners in the dining area and offers buffet or Japanese-style breakfast each morning; dining times and seating may require reservation and can vary with occupancy.
Yes — in addition to in-room private baths, the property provides rentable private hot-spring baths that can be reserved for families or guests seeking privacy.
Pets are not permitted on the property; small shops or convenience stores are available in the Ashinomaki Onsen area, with larger supermarkets and more amenities in Aizuwakamatsu approximately 15–20 minutes away by car.
Nearby highlights include the historic Ouchijuku post town and Aizuwakamatsu’s Tsuruga (Aizu) Castle, both roughly 14 km from the ryokan, along with scenic valley views and local onsen sights.
Free on-site parking is provided; by car the ryokan is accessible from Aizuwakamatsu IC via National Route 118 and is about a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic.