Kounkaku

8.8

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.8/10, based on 65 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Seifutei	9.1/10	203
🥈 2nd	Ookawaso	8.9/10	791
🥉 3rd	mt. inn(マウントイン）	8.9/10	237
4th	Harumiya Ryokan	8.9/10	193
5th	Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki	9.0/10	65
6th	Sansuiso Tsuchiyu Spa	8.9/10	105
7th	Iizaka Onsen Surikamitei Ohtori	8.8/10	227
8th	Aizu Higashiyama Onsen “Shosuke no Yado Takinoyu” since1880	8.7/10	3,925
9th	Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki	8.7/10	900
10th	Kounkaku Current ryokan	8.8/10	65
11th	Harataki	8.6/10	1,239
12th	Tagoto	8.6/10	555
13th	Ryokan Tamagoyu	8.6/10	483
14th	Azumakan	8.6/10	312
15th	Yoshikawaya	8.8/10	42
16th	Konjakutei	8.6/10	189
17th	Marumine Kanko Hotel	8.5/10	2,582
18th	Kagetsu Highland Hotel, Takayu Onsen	8.5/10	1,081
19th	Eirakukan	8.5/10	793
20th	Spa Resort Hawaiians Monolith Tower	8.5/10	690
21st	Kashiwaya Ryokan	8.6/10	77
22nd	Moritaya	8.8/10	28
23rd	Hanakanzashi	8.6/10	47
24th	Irorinoyado Ashina	8.5/10	41
25th	Yamagataya	8.5/10	35
26th	Kyukamura Ura-Bandai	8.2/10	75
27th	New Ogiya	8.1/10	190
28th	Premium Suites “Hanare Matsushimakaku” Produced by Shousuke no Yado Takinoyu	8.0/10	73
29th	Spa Resort Hawaiians Hotel Hawaiians	7.9/10	1,291
30th	Onsenya Hirosuke Ryokan	7.5/10	7
31st	Shinobu Onsen Seishū	5.0/10	1
32nd	Shikibu no Yakata Izutsuya	6.8/10	3
33rd	Spa Resort Hawaiians VIR Port	7.8/10	74
34th	Ashinomaki Prince Hotel	7.8/10	250
35th	Isamiya, auberge du voyage et de la découverte	5.0/10	2
36th	Higashiyama Park Hotel Shinfugetsu	7.7/10	267
37th	Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Aizu	7.7/10	437
38th	Yutoriro Bandai Atami	7.6/10	312
39th	Villa Inawashiro	7.4/10	87
40th	Lake Side Hotel Minatoya	7.1/10	37
41st	Itoen Hotel Iizakakanouya	7.1/10	70
42nd	Aizu Higashiyama Onsen “Tsuki no Akari” self-service INN	6.5/10	56
43rd	Mori no RyoTei Mount Bandai	4.4/10	174

Check-in from 3:00 PM / Check-out until 10:00 AM

Mountain Setting Hot Spring Town Quiet Village Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Private Onsen

Location

964-0074 Fukushima, Nihommatsu, Dakeonsen 1-85, Japan

Staff 9,0/10

Facilities 9,0/10

Cleanliness 9,0/10

Comfort 9,0/10

Value for money 8,4/10

Location 9,0/10

Hilltop PanoramaSet at Dake Onsen's highest point with wide views over the Abukuma mountains.

Pure Acidic OnsenFeatures 100% free-flowing source water, a notable acidic spring in the area.

Quiet Elevated SettingIts high-ground location gives a calmer, more secluded feel above the onsen town.

Scenic BathingMountain-view baths pair hot spring soaking with the ryokan's standout scenery.

Local Seasonal MealsDinner highlights carefully prepared seasonal cuisine using local Fukushima ingredients.

Easy Drive AccessAbout 15 minutes from Nihonmatsu IC, with free parking for up to 100 cars.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsOnsen-town rhythm is the main driver: arrive mid-afternoon, soak before dinner, enjoy the kaiseki-style meal, bathe again at night, then walk Dake Onsen or add nearby Adatara/Nihonmatsu the next day before moving on.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1-night onsen stay or calm 2-night break in Dake Onsen, not as a major sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Thin night sceneDake Onsen is quiet and small, so travelers wanting nightlife or many bars will run out of options quickly.

Car helps a lotAccess works by bus from Nihonmatsu Station, but the hilltop position is less convenient with heavy luggage.

Not a long baseTwo nights can work, but many travelers will overstay if they expect dense sightseeing within walking distance.

Jurakutei (on-site)

on-site

Main on-site dining venue for seasonal dinner courses with views.

Miro (on-site)

on-site

Casual meal spot and izakaya-style space for lunch and late bites.

Breakfast Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Breakfast venue with buffet or Japanese set meal depending on the day.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Useful access points Stations, stops, airports and practical travel advice.

Best way to arrive For most travelers, arrive via JR Nihonmatsu Station and continue by local bus or taxi to Dake Onsen, then use a short taxi ride if carrying luggage or arriving later in the day. If coming by air, Fukushima Airport is usually the more straightforward regional airport, while Sendai Airport can work well for wider flight choices but usually involves a longer onward transfer.

JR Nihonmatsu Stationstation
7.4 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20–30 min by taxiabout 25–40 min by local bus depending on stop and season
Best main rail access point for the ryokan. Most guests coming by train should transfer here for bus or taxi to Dake Onsen.
JR Fukushima Stationstation
19 kmabout 45–65 min by taxiabout 60–100 min with rail transfer to Nihonmatsu and onward bus or taxi
Useful alternative rail hub, especially for some Shinkansen or regional arrivals, but usually less direct than using Nihonmatsu Station for the final approach.
JR Koriyama Stationstation
24 kmabout 50–70 min by taxiabout 60–90 min with train transfer to Nihonmatsu and onward bus or taxi
Useful major transfer hub for Tohoku Shinkansen travelers. Good fallback if you are arriving from Tokyo or other major cities and plan to connect onward by JR lines.
Dake Onsen Entrance Bus Stopbus
780 mabout 8–15 min on foot depending on routeabout 3–5 min by taxibest checked locally
Potentially convenient for travelers aiming to get closer than the main onsen stop, though exact bus use depends on current local service patterns.
Dake Onsen Bus Stopbus
1.3 kmabout 10–20 min on foot depending on slope and luggageabout 3–5 min by taximain local bus arrival point for the onsen area
Useful if arriving by scheduled bus from Nihonmatsu Station. Walking may be manageable with light bags, but a short taxi ride is easier because the ryokan sits higher in the onsen area.
Fukushima Airportairport
43 kmabout 60–90 min by car or taxiusually about 90–150 min with bus or rail connections via Koriyama area, best checked locally
Usually the most practical airport for this ryokan if you want the closest regional air gateway. Best when combined with onward transfer through Koriyama or by rental car.
Sendai Airportairport
77 kmabout 90–130 min by caroften about 2–3 hours with rail or bus combinations
Useful for travelers who need broader flight options, including some international connections, but onward travel is longer than from Fukushima Airport.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Wide hilltop viewsThis ryokan is positioned on higher ground in Dake Onsen, and the outlook over the surrounding landscape is one of its defining strengths. That elevated setting gives the stay a calmer, more secluded feel than properties lower in the hot spring town.
Authentic acidic hot springThe baths use Dake Onsen's distinctive acidic spring water, a style of onsen that feels more characterful than standard hotel baths. If you specifically want a memorable regional onsen rather than just a generic bath, this is a strong fit.
Open-air bath atmosphereThe bathing experience is built around spacious public baths and open-air soaking, which makes the ryokan appealing for travelers who prioritize onsen time. The setting is especially attractive if you enjoy relaxing with fresh air and seasonal scenery.
Varied room stylesThe property offers more than one room style, including Japanese and Japanese-Western layouts, so it can suit different comfort preferences. That flexibility is useful for couples or families who want a ryokan feel without giving up too much convenience.
Classic full ryokan stayKounkaku is better suited to travelers looking for the traditional ryokan rhythm of check-in, bathing, dinner, and a slow evening in. The experience feels more destination-like than a simple overnight stop.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Less convenient on footBecause it sits on the upper side of Dake Onsen, it may feel less convenient if you want quick, flat walking access to the center of the onsen area. Travelers with heavy luggage or limited mobility may notice the location more.
Best for a quiet tripThe atmosphere is geared toward calm, scenic relaxation rather than nightlife or a lively resort buzz. If you want lots happening around you after dinner, this ryokan may feel too subdued.
Traditional style may feel datedEven with its scenic appeal, the property is closer to a classic onsen ryokan style than a sleek modern luxury hotel. Travelers seeking ultra-contemporary design may find the overall feel less polished than newer resorts.
Public bath focusThe onsen appeal centers heavily on shared bathing areas, so it is not the best match for guests who strongly prefer a fully private bathing experience throughout the stay. That matters especially for first-time onsen travelers who are unsure about communal baths.
Remote feel for short staysThis ryokan works best when you have time to settle in and enjoy the baths and meals. If you are only passing through Nihonmatsu briefly, the slower hilltop ryokan setting can feel less practical.

Current position: 10th out of 43 ryokans in Fukushima.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
5th	Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki	9.0/10	65
6th	Sansuiso Tsuchiyu Spa	8.9/10	105
7th	Iizaka Onsen Surikamitei Ohtori	8.8/10	227
8th	Aizu Higashiyama Onsen “Shosuke no Yado Takinoyu” since1880	8.7/10	3,925
9th	Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki	8.7/10	900
10th	Kounkaku Current ryokan	8.8/10	65
11th	Harataki	8.6/10	1,239
12th	Tagoto	8.6/10	555
13th	Ryokan Tamagoyu	8.6/10	483
14th	Azumakan	8.6/10	312
15th	Yoshikawaya	8.8/10	42