Lake Side Hotel Minatoya
6,8/10 Good - Based on 33 reviews
Lake Side Hotel Minatoya sits on the shores of Lake Inawashiro in the Aizu highlands, offering straightforward, lake-facing accommodation framed by Bandai‑Asahi National Park. Presented in a mixed ryokan/hotel format, the property balances tatami-style options and western twin rooms, many with direct views across the water. Public bathing is a feature here, making it a practical ryokan with onsen in Aizu, Fukushima, for travelers seeking a quiet lakeside base close to boat services, seasonal birdlife and mountain scenery.
The hotel operates communal Maifan‑stone thermal baths and a sauna, and also promotes a lakeside Finnish-style tent sauna that appears seasonally on the sandy shore. Facilities include a rooftop BBQ terrace that doubles as a summer beer‑garden, one restaurant serving Japanese and Chinese dishes, free parking and complimentary Wi‑Fi. Practical services cover a 24-hour reception with English-speaking staff, optional shuttle from the local station by advance arrangement, ski storage in winter and family-sized rooms or futon layouts for groups.
Set for year-round activity, the property is positioned for summer marine sports on the lake and winter pursuits such as nearby ski slopes and swan-watching; day trips to Mount Iimori and Aizu‑Wakamatsu sit within easy driving range. The ambience is unpretentious and functional, aimed at families and active visitors who want direct access to the water and simple on-site dining after a day outdoors. Overall this modest, lakefront ryokan with onsen Fukushima provides a practical base for exploring the Aizu area while keeping the emphasis on outdoor access and straightforward hospitality.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Lake Side Hotel Minatoya
Positive Reviews
Scenic lakeside location
Multiple guests praised the location and views of Lake Inawashiro, calling it picturesque and a main reason to choose the hotel.
Well-regarded food
Reviewers frequently complimented the meals—breakfast (notably the miso soup), lunch and dinner (including the on-site Chinese restaurant and bakery-style breakfast items) were described as tasty and carefully prepared.
Helpful staff and shuttle service
Several reviews noted friendly, accommodating staff who assisted with luggage and reservations; the hotel offers a pickup/drop-off shuttle from Inawashiro station when requested, which many found convenient.
Quaint, cozy atmosphere and unique features
The hotel’s retro, cozy interior and distinctive decorations (wall paintings in the stairwell) were appreciated; some guests also mentioned extra features like a tent sauna and a pleasant, homely ambiance.
Reasonable pricing for some guests
A number of reviewers mentioned the hotel’s rates were affordable or offered good value, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers.
Negative Reviews
Cleanliness and hygiene concerns
Multiple guests reported hygiene issues such as mold, dirty or stained towels, hair in the bathtub, sand in the public bathing changing area, and generally insufficient cleaning in some areas.
Aging facilities and maintenance issues
Reviewers observed visible wear and tear—peeling/flaking ceilings, marks on walls, water stains, cracked or dirty windows, and other signs that parts of the building need repair or refurbishment.
Bath-related problems (crowding and upkeep)
Guests reported crowded baths at peak times, unpleasant odors or mold in bath areas, insufficient replacement of mats, and other upkeep problems that made the bathing experience less enjoyable.
Unreliable Wi‑Fi and limited amenities
Some reviewers experienced spotty or non-working Wi‑Fi; others noted limited nearby shops/restaurants so visitors should plan ahead. A few also mentioned missing small amenities (for example, a disposable razor was not available for one guest).
Noise and accessibility/service hiccups
Complaints included noisy room ventilation fans and instances where the shuttle did not arrive unless the guest phoned. The lack of an elevator was mentioned as a problem for elderly or mobility-impaired guests, and one guest reported a cold dinner plate on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Twin rooms sleep up to 2 guests; family rooms sleep up to 4 guests (some deluxe family rooms offer up to four futons). Cribs and extra beds are not available, and the primary guest must be 18 or older.
Yes — the property has a Maifan stone hot spring (public baths) and sauna facilities, plus a seasonal Finnish-style tent sauna on the lakeshore.
Private baths are not listed among standard facilities; the property offers public onsen and sauna, so contact the hotel directly to request any private-use options.
The hotel offers a free shuttle from JR Inawashiro Station with advance reservation; there is no regular airport shuttle and Fukushima Airport is roughly 68 km (about 42 miles) away.
Staff provide support in English and Nepalese, and Japanese is of course available at the property.
The on-site restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese cuisine for dinner and an Asian-style breakfast; there is also a coffee shop, barbecue area and a rooftop BBQ/beer-garden open seasonally.
The hotel sits by Lake Inawashiro with a sightseeing-boat dock, and is close to Mt. Bandai, Bandai-Asahi National Park and Aizuwakamatsu attractions (samurai district, castles); seasonal activities include boating, hiking and skiing.
By local bus it is about 12–15 minutes (get off at Nagahama), by taxi around 12 minutes, and the hotel’s free shuttle can be arranged in advance from JR Inawashiro Station.
Standard check-in begins at 16:00 (4:00 PM) with the usual check-in window in the evening, and check-out is by 10:00 AM.
Pets are not permitted at the property; vending machines are on site and there are nearby convenience stores for basic supplies.