Fukushima - Nishiyama Onsen - Oizawa Onsen Ryokan

While there are plenty of other nice onsen (hot springs) in Fukushima's Tadami area, none of them has quite the unique charm of the bath at Oizawa Onsen Ryokan. Fed with the steaming waters of Nishiyama onsen, this hot springs bath has an incredibly old-fashioned feel, and maintains one particular old-fashioned tradition: konyoku (混浴). Konyoku is mixed-gender bathing, meaning just about anyone can enjoy a dip in the hot waters. The other thing to note about this bath is the shrine (yes, shrine!) right in the room. You can pray as you soak away!