Aizu-ya

Aizuya sits in Shiobara's valley of streams and waterfalls, with three separate baths fed by its own two springs, and the men's and women's sides trade off through the day rather than staying fixed. The cave bath is the most distinctive: bare rock walls around a pool blending both springs, with the feel of exploring an actual cave, and a small drinking fountain right by the entrance if you'd rather try the water than soak in it. The indoor bath floats roses, herbs, or lemon on the water depending on the day, and the outdoor bath looks out over the grounds and can also turn into a private soak some evenings. A couple of the guest rooms even come with their own private outdoor bath. The water is salty and smooth on the skin, kept flowing fresh from a self-flowing spring the ryokan says has run for around four hundred years and is recognized locally as one of Japan's four beauty-skin waters.