Fukushima
Fukushima Family Hotels: Hawaiians, Aizu Onsen & Urabandai Nature
From a year-round tropical water park to the hot spring inns of Aizu
A family trip to Fukushima looks very different depending on whether you build it around the Spa Resort Hawaiians water park in Iwaki, or around the nature and hot springs of Aizu and Urabandai. Given how close it is to the greater Tokyo area, this prefecture offers a surprisingly wide range of choices.
Spa Resort Hawaiians, in Iwaki Yumoto Onsen, is known for its indoor water park and hula dance shows, and it's a classic pick for family trips since you can play in the water regardless of weather or season. Staying at the directly connected Monolith Tower makes it easy to get in before the crowds in the morning or to re-enter the park smoothly.
Angel Forest Shirakawa Kogen, in Shirakawa Kogen, is a resort-style property with cottages, a dog run, a shallow pool, and a gentle, low-mineral hot spring well suited to babies. The privacy of a detached cottage or whole-building rental is popular with families traveling with young children.
On the Aizu side, long-established ryokans in Higashiyama Onsen and Ashinomaki Onsen offer a relaxed stay built around kaiseki-style dining and hot springs, and pair well with historical sightseeing at Tsuruga Castle and the thatched-roof post town of Ouchijuku. Urabandai and Inawashiro are bases for outdoor experiences, from walking the trails around Goshikinuma (the Five-Colored Ponds) to skiing in winter.
Of the 23 hotels listed on this site, 11 have a private-hire bath, 12 have a bath in the room, and 14 offer allergy support. 10 also have kids' programs, giving you a good range of properties built for hands-on family experiences.
Highlights
- checkSpa Resort Hawaiians has a hotel directly connected to its indoor water park, so weather is never a concern
- checkAngel Forest Shirakawa Kogen pairs cottages with a shallow pool and a hot spring gentle enough for babies
- check11 properties with private-hire baths and 12 with in-room baths make this a strong area for private bathing
Family-friendly features in Fukushima
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Recommended hotels (17)
Tsuchiyu Onsen Hotel Sansuiso
Bandai Atami Onsen Hotel Hananoyu
Okuiizaka Anabara Onsen Takumi no Kokoro Kikkawaya
Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Shousuke-no-Yado Takinoyu
Hotel Listel Inawashiro Wing Tower
Spa Resort Hawaiians Monolith Tower
Angel Forest Shirakawa Kogen
Iizaka Onsen Iizaka Hotel Juraku
Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki
Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Marumine Kanko Hotel
See all hotels in Fukushima (17)expand_more
- Tsuchiyu Onsen Hotel Sansuiso
- Bandai Atami Onsen Hotel Hananoyu
- Okuiizaka Anabara Onsen Takumi no Kokoro Kikkawaya
- Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Shousuke-no-Yado Takinoyu
- Hotel Listel Inawashiro Wing Tower
- Spa Resort Hawaiians Monolith Tower
- Angel Forest Shirakawa Kogen
- Iizaka Onsen Iizaka Hotel Juraku
- Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki
- Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Marumine Kanko Hotel
- Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Kutsurogijuku Shintaki
- Urabandai Lake Resort Honkan Goshiki no Mori
- Mercure Urabandai Resort & Spa
- Dake Onsen Yuinosato Azumakan
- Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Okawaso
- Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Oyado Tohou
- Ashinomaki Grand Hotel
Nearby attractions
Travel tips
A popular way to reach Hawaiians is the free shuttle bus from the greater Tokyo area (for overnight guests, reservation required). For Aizu and Urabandai, renting a car from Koriyama is convenient, and studless snow tires are essential in winter. Central Aizuwakamatsu can be explored by loop bus, which covers major spots like Tsuruga Castle. Hawaiians is busiest on weekend afternoons, so staying overnight and arriving right at opening is the best strategy.
Best season
Hawaiians is enjoyable year-round. Aizu and Urabandai are beautiful with fresh green leaves in spring and fall foliage, and winter brings snow play and skiing.
Getting there
About 2 hours 20 minutes from Tokyo to Iwaki Yumoto on the Hitachi limited express train. About 2.5 hours from Tokyo to Aizuwakamatsu via Koriyama. About 1 hour from Koriyama to Urabandai by rental car.
Frequently Asked Questions
From what age can kids enjoy Hawaiians?
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It's enjoyable from age zero. The park is centered on warmer indoor pools, and there are shallow areas for babies too. Rules on swim diapers vary by area, so it's worth checking the official website's guidelines beforehand. Staying at the directly connected hotel lets you take advantage of the quieter morning hours.
Are there any Fukushima hotels you'd recommend for families with a baby?
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Angel Forest Shirakawa Kogen is cottage-style, so you can relax without worrying about other guests, and it also has a gentle, low-mineral hot spring and a shallow pool. Ryokans in Aizu Higashiyama Onsen also offer private-hire baths and in-room dining, giving you solid options for a baby's first onsen trip.
Isn't Fukushima a difficult trip from the greater Tokyo area?
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Iwaki (for Hawaiians) is about 2 hours 20 minutes by limited express train, and there's also a free shuttle bus for overnight guests. Aizuwakamatsu is about 2.5 hours away via a transfer at Koriyama — closer than many people expect. Combining the Shinkansen with local trains gets you to the main areas without a car.
Can we still enjoy Fukushima on a rainy day?
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Since Hawaiians is an indoor facility, it's barely affected by rain. Aquamarine Fukushima (the aquarium) is also mostly indoors. On the Aizu side, indoor cultural experiences like touring the keep at Tsuruga Castle or painting your own akabeko (a traditional red cow figure) are available too.
Can kids enjoy Fukushima in winter?
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Yes. Urabandai and Inawashiro have several ski resorts with kids' parks, making them a good place for a first ski experience. Hawaiians offers tropical-style water play even in winter, so getting to experience both snow and an indoor tropical getaway in one trip is something only Fukushima offers.