Enjoy local sake and warm conversation! A superb night spent at "Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen"

Just one express train ride from Asakusa! At "Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen," you can enjoy powder snow during the day and local sake from Minamiaizu in the warm lounge at night—a perfect getaway. You can enjoy complimentary snacks, on weekends, hot pot dishes available to order, and heartwarming interactions with other guests. This is a guide to a 2-night, 3-day getaway.

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Vacation Lodge Familia Aizu Kogen

Our Lodge, Familia Aizu Kogen, is located three and a half hours by train from Tokyo. It's located at Takatsue Snow Resort in Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture. This hidden gem, uncrowded ski resort offers safe and enjoyable skiing and snow activities, even for beginners. Just a short journey away, you'll find historical cultural assets and public baths that have been preserved by villagers, entrenching their culture. With easy access to Nikko and Aizuwakamatsu, we recommend combining winter sports with historical exploration and hot spring touring. As residents of Aizu Kogen, we'll share information that's hard to find in guidebooks or online! Now's your chance to discover a true "Hidden Gem"! Come and discover treasures no one else has discovered! We look forward to seeing you in Aizu Kogen.

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"During the day, you can fully enjoy the powder snow in a vast, snow-covered world, and at night, you can savor local sake in a warm and cozy lounge..."

Why not spend a winter holiday filled with the leisure and romance of adulthood?

Located in Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture , far removed from the crowds and hustle and bustle of major resorts, " Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen " is more than just a hotel for sleeping. Its concept is "a place to make friends, socializing stay." Friendly staff who can speak English will warmly welcome you, and with delicious local sake and warm drinks as a starting point, it's a special space where guests from all over the world can naturally come together and chat.

This time, we'll show you how to spend a warm and cozy 2-night, 3-day trip to Minamiaizu , filled with local sake and heartwarming interactions!

Why is spending a night at " Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen" such a special experience?

1. An open and cozy lounge space that gently warms you up.

Returning from a day of playing in the snow or skiing, guests are gently greeted by the comforting warmth from their feet up in the lounge equipped with underfloor heating. Spending time stretching out your legs in this cozy space is a blissful moment where you can forget the cold and relax.

2. One of Japan's leading sake-producing regions! A cozy evening to savor the local sake of Minamiaizu.

The Aizu region is one of Japan's leading sake-producing areas, having won numerous awards at sake tasting competitions. At the Familia lounge, we offer a selection of rare local sakes brewed in historic sake breweries in Minamiaizu.

While sipping drinks, guests can easily strike up conversations with staff and other guests, asking questions like, "Where did you ski today?" or "Where are you from?" English-speaking staff can explain the characteristics and stories behind local sake, making it a rich cultural experience for foreign visitors guests as well.

3. Free snacks and light meals to satisfy your hunger & hot pot available only on weekends

In the lounge, you can enjoy complimentary soft drinks and snacks at your leisure. For a light snack, you can also order ramen, snacks, oden, pizza, and other light meals (for a fee). Furthermore, on weekends, we offer dinner options such as warm hot pot dishes that guests can enjoy together around a table (reservations required).

4. Enjoy ultimate relaxation in a natural hot spring just a 3-minute walk away.

Just a 3-minute walk from the inn is "Takatsue Onsen Shirakaba no Yu," where you can relax and warm up your chilled body. After refreshing yourself in the hot springs, you can spend a relaxing evening in the inn's lounge.

Direct express train from Asakusa! Comfortable access with zero wasted time, even without a car.

You might think that Minamiaizu is far away, but it's far less stressful and much more time-efficient than driving to a crowded ski resort near the city center.

If you are coming by train (most recommended for those who do not drive)

From Tobu Asakusa Station, take the Tobu Limited Express Liberty Aizu (approximately 3 hours, no transfers). After getting off at Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station, you can take a shared on-demand taxi (reservations required by 5 PM the day before) directly to your accommodation or ski resort (approximately 30 minutes).

[Important points when boarding]

All seats are reserved: In addition to the basic fare ticket, a "limited express ticket" is required. These tickets can be purchased by credit card on the Tobu Railway English website starting one month prior to the travel date (from 9:00 AM). The basic fare ticket must be purchased at the station on the day of travel.

IC cards (Suica/PASMO) cannot be used: Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station is outside the IC card area (unmanned station), so please purchase a paper ticket for the entire route at a ticket window at Asakusa Station or other locations (such as Tobu Tourist Service Center Asakusa) before boarding.

If you are coming by car (winter tires are required)

It's about a 3.5-hour drive from central Tokyo via the Tohoku Highway (exit at Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC). While it's a bit of a distance from the highway interchange, you won't experience the lost time caused by "huge traffic jams to get into parking lots," "long lines for rentals," and "overcrowded restaurants" that often occur at popular ski resorts near the interchange . You can arrive without the stress of traffic and immediately enjoy high-quality snow and hot springs.

Please refer to this article for more details.

[itinerary] A 2-night, 3-day itinerary to fully enjoy local sake and snowscapes.

At Vacation Lodge FamiliA  , we recommend a relaxing extended stay of 2 to 3 nights or more, so you don't have to rush around just getting around.

Day 1: Arrive by Limited Express train Liberty Aizu & enjoy a warm evening with hot springs and local sake.

11:00 Departing  from Tobu Asakusa Station in Tokyo on the "Limited Express Liberty Aizu"!

14:30, I arrived at Vacation House FamiliA by taking the Liberty express train and then a demand-responsive taxi. You can relax in the warm lounge, enjoy the complimentary drinks and snacks.

15:30 Pick up your rented ski wear and ski set to prepare for tomorrow's skiing and check the sizes. Since you can pick up and return rented items at the accommodation, it's very convenient as you don't have to wait in line! This is a perk for guests staying two nights or more!

16:00, Walked three minutes to "Takatsue Onsen Shirakaba no Yu" hot spring. You can relax in the hot springs, enjoying the snowy scenery, and soothed away the fatigue of my long journey.

18:30 If it's a weekend, you can enjoy a warm hot pot dinner at FamiliA  (or have a light meal like ramen or pizza in the lounge).

The image is for illustrative purposes only.

20:00, enjoy a tasting of local sake from Minamiaizu in the lounge. Share travel memories with English-speaking staff and guests from all over the world.

Day 2: 100% natural snow slopes, evening board games, and social time.

08:30 Breakfast table with freshly baked homemade bread and coffee. Guests exchange information about "today's skiing routes".

10:00, You can walk 5 minutes to "Aizu Kogen Takatsue Ski Resort." You can enjoy the 100% natural powder snow and the magnificent view from the mountaintop (no crowds!).

15:00, when it gets cold, You can walk back to the inn in 5 minutes and read or chat in the warm lounge with coffee and free snacks.

19:00, enjoy light meal such as oden and ramen, while playing board games, drinking local sake and craft drinks, and spending time making new friends.

Day 3: Relaxing breakfast & a tour of historic local attractions

8:00  Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, took a commemorative photo with the staff, and checked out.

10:00 , take a demand taxi or train and head home, stopping to sightsee in the traditional "Maezawa Magariya Village," "Ouchi-juku" with its rows of thatched roofs, or the Nikko/ Kinu River area.

Book your stay at Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen here.