Kagamigaike Hekizantei
7,9/10 Very good - Based on 68 reviews
Kagamigaike Hekizantei sits on the edge of a park-like pond in the Dake Onsen area, offering lakefront views and clear sightlines to Mount Adatara. Operated within a national hotel group, the property combines traditional ryokan service and décor with selected Western comforts across a mid-sized inventory of guest rooms. Its waterside setting and proximity to hiking and ski terrain make it a pragmatic choice for travelers looking for a ryokan with onsen in Tohoku who want straightforward access to outdoor activities throughout the year.
Guest accommodation ranges from traditional tatami rooms to Western-style beds, all featuring private bathrooms and complimentary Wi‑Fi. The thermal facilities are central: acidic hot spring water feeds shared indoor baths and an open-air onsen whose panorama includes the pond and the Adatara range; local information notes the mineral water is conveyed to the hotel from a distant source. Baths are communal rather than en-suite, so the property functions as a ryokan with onsen in Fukushima rather than offering private in-room baths.
Dining follows a combined half-buffet dinner and buffet breakfast format that highlights regional produce, and on-site amenities include karaoke rooms, table tennis, a small shop and a yukata corner. Practical details support self-drive and arranged transfers: generous on-site parking, standard check-in from 15:00 and check-out by 11:00, roughly a 15-minute drive from the nearest expressway interchange and a short taxi ride from the regional station. The mix of communal baths, family-friendly facilities and easy access to trails and slopes suits vacationing families, outdoor groups and seasonal skiers.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kagamigaike Hekizantei
Positive Reviews
High-quality hot springs and outdoor baths
Several guests praised the onsen—especially the outdoor baths with scenic views (snow, pond and mountains). Many noted the water quality and relaxing bathing experience.
Family-friendly leisure facilities
Visitors appreciated on-site entertainment such as table tennis, karaoke, games and nearby leisure (feeding carp/ducks). Free rental items for children and communal entertainment helped families enjoy their stay.
Spacious, comfortable rooms with good views
Many reviews mention large, clean rooms with pleasant views (pond, mountains, night scenery), comfortable temperature control, and useful amenities like humidifiers and air conditioning.
Good value and relaxed atmosphere
Guests felt the hotel offered good value for money—ample facilities, not overly crowded even when busy, smooth check-in/out and a relaxed pace (late checkout available) contributed to satisfaction.
Food and drink positives for many guests
Several guests enjoyed the meals—especially the evening half-buffet/individual dish combination and unlimited alcoholic drinks. Breakfast was praised by multiple reviewers as well.
Negative Reviews
Inconsistent food quality and breakfast variety
A number of guests found the buffet/dinner quality uneven (some called the buffet disappointing or oily), wanted more local fresh vegetables at breakfast, and felt breakfast menu variety could be improved.
Dining logistics and timing issues
Complaints included short or rushed dinner times, limited table space when bringing buffet items to the table, and weak-tasting soft drinks/juices.
Maintenance and facility shortcomings
Problems reported include aging building elements (peeling ceiling), creaky floors, vending machines out of change, missing hairdryers at some sinks, broken washlet toilets, and lack of a sauna.
Noise, accessibility and safety concerns
Some guests cited noise from neighboring rooms, poor light/brightness control, toilet steps that posed a risk for children, and requests for additional bath baskets or more face towels to separate bath and room use.
Operational/connection issues
A few reviews mentioned diluted onsen water (not full free-flowing source), intermittent Wi‑Fi or smartphone connectivity problems, parking difficulties in snowy conditions, and occasional front-desk errors (e.g., incorrect receipt name).
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include Japanese- and Western-style layouts; family rooms can accommodate up to six people on futons and the property has 47 rooms in total.
Yes — the ryokan has shared indoor baths and an open-air onsen fed by an acidic hot spring; many rooms and baths offer views of Mt. Adatara.
Private/kashikiri baths are not listed for this property; the hot-spring facilities are described as shared indoor and outdoor baths.
No regular airport shuttle is listed; the nearest airport is Fukushima Airport (about 57 km). Guests typically travel by train to Nihonmatsu Station then take a taxi, or arrive by car.
Staff primarily speak Japanese; limited English may be available at reception — it is advisable to contact the ryokan in advance if you need English assistance.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 (3:00 PM) and check-out is by 11:00 AM; guests are asked to check in before 18:00 if they want to be served dinner at the ryokan.
Pets are not accepted at the property. Full privatization of the ryokan is not advertised; some facilities such as karaoke rooms can be reserved for private use.
The ryokan provides on-site meals with a half-buffet style dinner and a buffet-style breakfast; note dinner availability depends on timely arrival.
The ryokan sits by Kagamigaike pond and offers views of Mt. Adatara; nearby attractions include Tohoku Safari Park (around 5.5 km) and mountain areas used for cycling and skiing in the Bandai–Azuma region.
By car it is about 15 minutes from the Nihonmatsu IC on the Tohoku Expressway; by public transport the usual route is train to Nihonmatsu Station followed by a roughly 20-minute taxi. Free on-site parking is available for guests (ample spaces reported).