Saori Kuji, Local Guide ~ An Original Japan Travel Guide by Hoshino Resorts' Local Staff

Local Guide

Saori Kuji

Active girls full of love for Aizu

She started her work career in Fukushima Prefecture and her love for Fukushima remains constant. Aizu and Bandai area is now my home ground. A 20-something maiden who is well versed in tourist attractions, local products and specialties, and exudes a more local feel than the locals.

Bandaisan Onsen Hotel by Hoshino Resorts: A stylish highland resort hotel overlooking Lake Inawashiro below at the foot of Mount Bandai in Aizu. With a heated swimming pool, spa, and hot springs, you can enjoy a stay that brings you in touch with the unknown culture of Aizu. You can stay active from the season of fresh green to the season of blazing autumn leaves and deep snow.

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Local Guide FAQ

What do you recommend in the Aizu/Inawashiro/Bandai area (places, experiences, food)?: Another feature of this area is that there are many izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) overflowing with local love. Adventuring through the alleys of Aizuwakamatsu city and drinking at stores with a local feel is fun, with new discoveries to be made no matter how many times you go. There is a shuttle bus service from the hotel, which is highly recommended for those who love to drink.

Please sneak in some hole-in-the-wall places that you know because you live there.: A drive along the road (Route 49) along Lake Inawashiro at sunrise and sunset is highly recommended. The gradation of the sky is reflected on the surface of the water, creating a fantastic view. If you stop by Koishigahama, Tenjinhama, and other beaches where there are few tourists, you will have a beautiful view of Mt.

Where did you travel to last year and with whom?: I love nature and often visit national parks in Japan and abroad. There are many hiking trails in national parks, not only steep mountain trails, but also gentle trails, which are perfect for a quick jaunt on the road. Last year, my friends and I enjoyed cycling in De Hooge Verwe National Park in the Netherlands.

What do you do on your days off?: I always go to a place where I can have a cup of coffee, whether it is during a drive with friends or while reading a book alone near my house, although the situations are different. I prefer old-fashioned coffee shops to trendy cafes.

Is there anything you always take with you on a trip?: My motto is to enjoy traveling light with a backpack and a foldable sakosh, no matter how many nights I stay. Ever since a backpacker I met on my travels told me that a furoshiki cloth is the best way to pack compactly, I have been using furoshiki cloths of all sizes, including the furoshiki cloths of the world.