Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki  

Perched in the Higashiyama Onsen area of Aizuwakamatsu, this ryokan sits on a hill with easy access to the city center. You're a short stroll from Higashiyama Onsen (0.1 km) and minutes by car from Aizu Samurai Mansion, Oyakuen Garden and Tsuruga (Aizuwakamatsu) Castle. Fukushima Airport is about 75 km away.

A modern Japanese-style ryokan rebuilt and enlarged in 1992, it blends traditional touches with modern comfort. The top-floor observatory spa features an open-air onsen with panoramic views over the hot-spring resort and the town lights at night. Rooms (about 64) include refrigerators, slippers and daily housekeeping; some offer blackout curtains and in-room conveniences like TVs and coffeemakers.

Soak in hot springs and the open-air observatory onsen, or book an onsite massage, sauna or spa treatment. There's a cozy lobby fireplace, a bar and cafe, a gift shop, a library and a children's playroom. Guests can use the tour desk and ticket service to explore the area, plus free self-parking and shuttle options. Expect mountain-misted mornings and sweeping night views from the top-floor bath.

Complimentary wireless internet is available property-wide. The ryokan also offers a computer station, luggage storage, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, limited front-desk hours, and safe-deposit boxes.

Enjoy Japanese cuisine at one of the on-site restaurants (including 鶴城), plus a bar/lounge and a cafe. Dinner and breakfast are served buffet-style, and the property pours over 30 varieties of local Aizu sake for sampling.