{"id":24802,"date":"2025-11-18T13:07:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T04:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/?p=24802"},"modified":"2025-12-03T19:53:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T10:53:21","slug":"hoshinoi-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/en\/hoshinoi-en\/","title":{"rendered":"[Aizu] Yunokami Onsen | Night Tour with the Owner &amp; Healing Dishes at The inn of sincerity -Hoshinoi-"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I first discovered this ryokan over 10 years ago. By chance, I got to know the owners, and since then I\u2019ve stayed here more than 50 times. It\u2019s one of my all-time favorite places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People often think it must be expensive, but it\u2019s actually very affordable. What makes it special is the unique adventure tours and the warm, heartfelt hospitality you receive from the staff. There is truly no other place like Hoshinoi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/area\/aizu\/ryokan\/hoshinoi\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/area\/aizu\/ryokan\/hoshinoi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u25b7View more details about &#8220;Hoshinoi Ryokan&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jin-gb-block-box-with-headline kaisetsu-box5\"><div class=\"kaisetsu-box5-title\">Writer\u2019s Profile<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:23% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8339-1024x1024.webp\" alt=\"osaki\" class=\"wp-image-27074 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8339-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8339-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8339-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8339-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8339.webp 1034w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8339-1024x1024.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Hello! My name is Osaki, and I\u2019m the editor-in-chief of <em>Ryokanbook<\/em>.<br>Every year, I stay at about 100 ryokans and interview around 70 of them.<br>Today, I want to introduce a very special ryokan \u2014 the one that first made me fall in love with this world of traditional inns. It is full of heartfelt hospitality (<em>magokoro<\/em>), and honestly, I almost don\u2019t want to share it because it still feels like a hidden gem.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cA name shows its true nature.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is what comes to mind when I hear the name <em>Magokoro no Yado<\/em> \u2014 \u201cThe Inn of Sincere Hospitality.\u201d In Japanese, <em>magokoro<\/em> means sincerity, warmth, and genuine care for others. No matter if a ryokan is luxurious or simple, this spirit is at the heart of Japanese hospitality. But <em>Magokoro no Yado Hoshinoi<\/em> goes far beyond that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, I\u2019ll take you back to my first visit 12 years ago and share my honest memories and experiences from that stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just so you know, in the story ahead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cFather\u201d is the owner,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cMother\u201d is the okami (the landlady),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and \u201cGrandmother\u201d is the former okami.<br>I hope this makes it easier to follow along.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"rtoc-mokuji-wrapper\" class=\"rtoc-mokuji-content frame4 preset1 animation-none rtoc_open default\" data-id=\"24802\" data-theme=\"jin-child\">\n\t\t\t<div id=\"rtoc-mokuji-title\" class=\" rtoc_left\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"rtoc_open_close rtoc_open\"><\/button>\n\t\t\t<span>\u76ee\u6b21<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div><ol class=\"rtoc-mokuji decimal_ol level-1\"><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-1\">How I First Discovered Hoshinoi<\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-2\">A Snowy Outdoor Bath \u2014 Memories from Yunokami Onsen<\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-3\">A Taste of Home \u2014 The Famous Potatoes<\/a><ul class=\"rtoc-mokuji mokuji_ul level-2\"><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-4\">Recommended Dishes at Hoshinoi<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-5\">Night Walk Through Ouchi-juku \u2013 A Star-Only Tour by Hoshinoi<\/a><ul class=\"rtoc-mokuji mokuji_ul level-2\"><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-6\">\u201cThe Beauty of Complete Darkness\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-7\">Driven by a Pure Wish to Share the Region \u2014 A Variety of Tours, All from the Heart<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-8\">The Simple Joy of Falling Asleep on a Futon<\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-9\">Freshly Made Breakfast \u2014 The Philosophy of the Grand Okami<\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-10\">The Inn\u2019s Heartfelt Hospitality\u2014Seeing the Grandmother in Tears<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><h2 id=\"rtoc-1\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">How I First Discovered Hoshinoi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I first came across <em>Magokoro no Yado Hoshinoi<\/em> 12 years ago, in the winter when I was 19.<br>Three friends and I were on a bicycle trip from Tokyo to Fukushima\u2014about 300 kilometers. We were broke university students, and by the time we reached Fukushima, I had only 3,000 yen left. It was snowing hard, and sleeping outside wasn\u2019t an option. We were cold, exhausted, and honestly, I thought we might not make it through the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Out of sheer desperation, I searched \u201cryokan\u201d on Google Maps.<br>The first result that came up was <strong>Magokoro no Yado Hoshinoi<\/strong>.<br>With nothing to lose, I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The okami (the hostess) simply said:<br><strong>\u201cDon\u2019t worry about the money\u2014just get here.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It felt like a lifeline. We got back on our bikes and pedaled as fast as we could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we arrived, the okami and her daughter welcomed the three of us\u2014soaked, shivering, completely worn out. I still remember her voice saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cYou must have had a hard journey. You\u2019re freezing\u2014go take a bath first.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03406-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03406-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03406-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03406-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03406-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03406.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03406-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They were both smiling, warm, and so kind. At that moment, I became a fan for life.<br>Maybe it was the cold, the exhaustion, or just relief\u2014but I remember sitting in that bath and crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-2\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Snowy Outdoor Bath \u2014 Memories from Yunokami Onsen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_8996-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_8996-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_8996-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_8996-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_8996-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_8996.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_8996-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The hot spring water in Yunokami Onsen is a mild alkaline simple spring. It\u2019s so pure and gentle that you can even drink it. It\u2019s known to help with muscle pain and chronic fatigue, and after cycling for three days straight, I could feel the warmth soaking deep into my tired legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hoshinoi has both indoor and outdoor baths, but the one I\u2019ll never forget is the outdoor bath in the falling snow. Sitting in the hot water, watching the mountains covered in fresh snow, we talked and relaxed\u2014and before we knew it, an hour had passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yunokami Onsen has such an abundant water supply that even regular homes receive hot spring water. People even use it for drinking and melting snow. Using hot spring water just to melt snow\u2014it feels like the height of luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve soaked in this water dozens, maybe hundreds of times by now, and I still love it just as much. I keep coming back whenever I can. And now that I think about it\u2014the owner\u2019s daughter has such beautiful skin. Maybe that\u2019s what happens when you grow up bathing in this hot spring water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-3\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Taste of Home \u2014 The Famous Potatoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When we first arrived, I noticed a wrapped tour bus parked outside the entrance. On the side, it said <em>\u201cFoie Gras of the Fields\u201d<\/em> with a picture of their famous simmered potatoes.<br><em>Potatoes? As a specialty dish?<\/em> I remember thinking it sounded unusual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Japan, you\u2019ll rarely find a restaurant or ryokan where potatoes are treated as the star of the meal\u2014except here at Hoshinoi. Their signature dish is tender simmered potatoes cooked together with daikon radish and koya-Tofu. They\u2019re so soft they almost melt, gently sweet, and disappear from your mouth before you realize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After warming up in the bath and shaking off the exhaustion from cycling, the staff brought out dish after dish for us\u2014despite knowing we didn\u2019t have any money. They served us the simmered potatoes, their specialty <em>J\u016bnen udon<\/em>, grilled ayu (sweetfish), and more, without hesitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We said, \u201cWe really can\u2019t pay for this\u2026\u201d<br>But the okami just smiled and said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s fine, it\u2019s just leftovers. Young people hardly ever come here\u2014so please, eat as much as you like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we ate, she chatted with us like a caring mother:<br><em>\u201cWhy are you traveling by bicycle?\u201d<\/em><em><br><\/em><em>\u201cWasn\u2019t it hard to get all the way here?\u201d<\/em><em><br><\/em><em>\u201cWhich university are you from?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It really felt like being cared for at someone\u2019s home\u2014like tasting a Japanese mother\u2019s cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rtoc-4\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommended Dishes at Hoshinoi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Simmered Potatoes \u2013 The Signature Dish<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9140-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9140-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9140-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9140-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9140-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9140.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9140-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hoshinoi\u2019s famous <em>simmered potatoes<\/em> surprise not only international travelers, but even Japanese guests. A whole potato is served, soft enough to fall apart with a light touch of chopsticks, and it melts in your mouth with a gentle sweetness. On the same plate, you\u2019ll find koya-tofu (freeze-dried tofu) and daikon radish, both infused with the same comforting flavor. It\u2019s a dish you\u2019ll want to come back to again and again.<br>Surprisingly, it\u2019s seasoned with nothing more than salt. Their motto is simple: <em>\u201cServe it while it\u2019s hot,\u201d<\/em> so it always arrives piping warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The woman who created this dish\u2014the grandmother of the inn\u2014once said during a TV interview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHave you ever wanted to quit?\u201d<br>\u201cNever. Once people come, they always come back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Out of all the dishes they serve, this simmered potato is the only one she has continued to cook for over 50 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Junen Udon \u2013 A Bowl of Longevity and Local Flavor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03565-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03565-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03565-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03565-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03565-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03565.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03565-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Junen Udon was created by the grandfather. <em>Junen<\/em> is the local word for perilla seeds (egoma), and in Fukushima, there\u2019s a saying that eating it will make you live ten years longer. Wanting to use local ingredients and support the region, he experimented until this dish was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The broth is a vegetable-based dashi perfected by the okami and the grandmother, using a secret recipe passed down from an elderly woman in the countryside.<br>This dish has been loved for 35 years, and guests often say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve never tasted a broth like this before\u2014especially with these noodles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Salt-Grilled Ayu \u2013 Simple, Yet Unforgettable<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9147-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9147-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9147-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9147-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9147-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9147.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9147-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people aren\u2019t fond of river fish, but Hoshinoi\u2019s salt-grilled ayu is on a different level. I\u2019ve stayed at nearly 100 ryokan a year and tasted many versions of ayu, but I\u2019ve yet to find one that beats Hoshinoi\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The skin is crispy, the inside tender and fluffy. They grill it twice in a large oven\u2014a technique they insist on\u2014to achieve the perfect texture.<br>You can eat it from head to tail, bones and all. If you visit, don\u2019t miss this dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-5\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">Night Walk Through Ouchi-juku \u2013 A Star-Only Tour by Hoshinoi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHey, you guys, hop on the bus!\u201d<br>Following the owner\u2019s casual command, we climbed onto the small shuttle bus. Around 8 p.m., just after dinner, the sudden night tour begins. The destination is one of the most famous sights in Fukushima\u2014<strong>Ouchi-juku<\/strong>.<br>On the way, the owner of the inn, sitting in the driver\u2019s seat with a microphone in hand, gives a funny and warm explanation about the history of Ouchi-juku and Yunokami Onsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever gone on a bus late at night to wander around a completely empty tourist spot?<br>It was a different kind of thrill from any journey I\u2019ve done on my bicycle\u2014a quiet excitement. Watching the owner drive confidently along the mountain roads while talking to us, I couldn\u2019t help but think how cool and dependable he looked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Normally, Ouchi-juku closes to visitors at 5 p.m. That means only the locals or guests staying at <strong>Hoshinoi<\/strong> get to see it at night.<br>During the day, Ouchi-juku is packed with tourists, but on this night tour, it feels like the whole village is reserved just for us\u2014well, not just \u201cfeels like.\u201d It actually is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rtoc-6\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cThe Beauty of Complete Darkness\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03579-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03579-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03579-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03579-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03579-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03579.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03579-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you imagine what a completely dark night view looks like?<br>The owner calls it the <em>\u201cpitch-black nightscape.\u201d<\/em> It\u2019s not the glittering lights of a factory at night, nor the sparkling cities seen from mountaintops. It\u2019s quieter\u2014an untouched, natural kind of night that somehow puts your heart at ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional thatched-roof houses line the village, and you feel as if you\u2019ve stepped back into the Edo period, a time when samurai still walked these streets. There are no streetlights. Just small lanterns hanging from shopfronts, softly glowing with the names of the stores\u2014tiny lights like candles flickering in a dark room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This unpolished, natural night view has a way of stirring something deep inside you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Hoshinoi, a beloved inn where 70% of guests are repeat visitors, almost every single guest says the same thing: <em>\u201cWe want to join the night tour.\u201d<\/em><em><br><\/em>And it\u2019s easy to understand why\u2014no matter how many times you go, the view never gets old, and the owner\u2019s storytelling keeps your heart tied to the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rtoc-7\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driven by a Pure Wish to Share the Region \u2014 A Variety of Tours, All from the Heart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03569-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03569-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03569-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03569-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03569-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03569.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03569-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ever since I started visiting Hoshinoi, I\u2019ve joined not only the famous Ouchi-juku night tour, but also cherry blossom night tours at Tsuruga Castle, firefly-watching tours, and stargazing tours held on top of a dam. In the mornings, there are completely different experiences\u2014like feeling the icy breeze from the Nakayama wind cave or walking through fields of blooming buckwheat flowers. These tours change with the seasons, offering something new every time you come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And unbelievably, <em>every single one of them is free.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s even more incredible is that the owner runs these tours <strong>every day without fail<\/strong>\u2014even if there\u2019s only one guest. He\u2019s been doing this for 20 years straight. At this point, the tours aren\u2019t just part of the inn\u2014they\u2019re part of his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One day I asked him,<br><strong>\u201cWhy do you go this far?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He smiled and said,<br><strong>\u201cI just want my guests to enjoy themselves. If someone tells me they had a great time, that alone makes it worth it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That, to me, is the very definition of <em>magokoro<\/em>\u2014genuine, heartfelt hospitality with no pretense. For over two decades, his love for this land\u2014Yunokami Onsen and Aizu\u2014and his wish for others to feel its beauty have been the engine driving his bus, his body, and the hearts of everyone who joins his tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-8\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Simple Joy of Falling Asleep on a Futon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9047-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9047-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9047-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9047-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9047-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9047.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9047-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After dinner, the first thing that surprised me when I returned to my room was that the futon had already been laid out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In many Japanese ryokan, the staff quietly prepare your bedding while you\u2019re enjoying your evening meal. It might be a uniquely Japanese custom, but seeing the futon already spread out on the tatami floor always makes me feel at ease. Before I know it, I\u2019m already curled up inside, just relaxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sleeping on a futon in a tatami room\u2014it&#8217;s a tradition that even many Japanese homes are slowly moving away from. Yet, whether you\u2019re Japanese or from overseas, there\u2019s something undeniably calming about wearing a yukata and lying down on a warm futon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Hoshinoi, they offer more than just traditional Japanese-style rooms. Depending on your needs, you can also choose rooms with private bathrooms, Japanese-Western hybrid rooms, or fully Western-style rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That evening, when I thought I\u2019d reached my limit from cycling, everything turned around\u2014delicious food, a soothing hot spring bath, a night tour full of surprises, and finally, a room with a soft futon where I could rest in complete peace. It was more than comfort\u2014it felt like luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I still remember falling asleep while saying,<br><strong>\u201cWe really owe this place something someday.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-9\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">Freshly Made Breakfast \u2014 The Philosophy of the Grand Okami<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03508-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03508-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03508-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03508-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03508-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03508.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC03508-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At Hoshinoi, their philosophy is simple: <em>\u201cServe hot food hot.\u201d<\/em> Everything is brought out freshly prepared, and breakfast rice is even cooked just 30 minutes before the meal begins. This dedication has been passed down from the grand okami, to the current okami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Guests can enjoy a hearty Japanese breakfast with freshly grilled salmon, seasonal mountain vegetables, and natto. Fluffy freshly cooked Aizu rice, local soba miso, and steaming miso soup gently wake the body and soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Back in my university days, I rarely ate breakfast. Even now, mornings are often rushed, and breakfast is easily skipped. But at Hoshinoi, I\u2019m reminded just how wonderful this simple meal can be, and I savor the small happiness of a peaceful morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The thought behind it is clear:<br><strong>\u201cWe want to serve our guests the hottest, freshest, and most delicious food possible.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To me, this is another expression of <em>magokoro<\/em>\u2014genuine, heartfelt hospitality that considers the happiness of each guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-10\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Inn\u2019s Heartfelt Hospitality\u2014Seeing the Grandmother in Tears<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9352-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9352-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9352-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9352-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9352-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9352.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/MG_9352-1024x683.webp 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hoshinoi is approaching its 50th anniversary, and its story began with the grandmother, the grand okami. Apparently, about 40 years ago, a young man also came cycling to the inn\u2014much like I did. When we said our goodbyes, I noticed the grandmother crying, perhaps reminded of that long-ago visitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Living in Tokyo, I\u2019m not used to seeing such pure kindness\u2014strangers in the countryside opening their hearts to people they\u2019ve just met. I felt deeply moved. In reality, it should have been us shedding tears. Back then, we only had 3,000 yen, yet the grandmother and the owner cheerfully sent us off, saying:<br><strong>\u201cJust come back again someday.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Twelve years have passed since that winter, and every year I return to Hoshinoi, bringing friends and family along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Isn\u2019t it the people we meet that make a trip unforgettable? Finding a ryokan with delicious food, an excellent hot spring, or spacious rooms is not so difficult in Japan. But encountering the warmth of local people\u2014that is rare and extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you experience the genuine hospitality of others, a journey becomes memorable. A stay at <strong>Hoshinoi<\/strong> promises just that: an experience you will never forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Book your stay at &#8220;Hoshinoi Ryokan&#8221; here\uff1a<a href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/area\/aizu\/ryokan\/hoshinoi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/area\/aizu\/ryokan\/hoshinoi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/area\/aizu\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/area\/aizu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u25b7Discover more about Aizu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/area\/aizu\/ryokan\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/area\/aizu\/ryokan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u25b7View Ryokans in Aizu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I first discovered this ryokan over 10 years ago. By chance, I got to know the owners, and since then I\u2019ve sta<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[675],"tags":[1166],"class_list":["post-24802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fukushima-en","tag-my-experience"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24802"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27084,"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24802\/revisions\/27084"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinotori-trip.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}