A roadside station standing along National Route 252. Here you can buy fresh, seasonal local produce, local crafts goods, and other specialty products. You can also eat oyako-don chicken and eggs over rice made with Aizu jidori chicken.
Visitors pass through this roadside station in order to visit the famous No. 1 Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint.
| Website | https://www.michi-no-eki.jp/stations/viewe/243 |
|---|---|
| Contact | (+81) 241-48-5677 |
| Best Season | All Year |
| Opening Hours | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Closed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 3 |
| Parking | Available |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Access | Tenyahara 610 Kawai, Mishima Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Pref. 969-7515 View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Car: 20 min drive from Aizubange I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway |
In the Meiji and Taisho eras, Kitakata City experienced a boom in the construction of kura (traditional Japanese storehouses). There are approximately 4,200 still left in the city today. While these were used both as storehouses for businesses in the brewing and lacquerware industries, the building of a kura has traditionally been considered among Kitakata locals as a great symbol of status, and a source of pride.In the Mitsuya District, the rows of brick storehouses are reminiscent of rural Europe, whereas in the Sugiyama district, they have roofs that take the appearance of helmets. Visitors can see a range of kura and other traditional buildings at Kitakata Kura-no-Sato museum, or enjoy exploring the kura of the city on foot or by bike.See here for a 1 day itinerary for visiting Kitakata City.Check out a map of the kura located around Kitakata City.
As the fourth-largest lake in all of Japan, Lake Inawashiro is well-known for its gorgeous blue waters, wildlife sightings and stunning views thanks to its position south of the Bandai mountain range. This sightseeing boat gives visitors a chance to get out on to the lake, where they can enjoy the atmosphere and soak in the sights.Guests can step out on to small sightseeing decks at the front and rear, although it's worth bringing a heavy jacket as the wind chill is quite bracing in winter on the front deck.On the interior, announcements over the tannoy explain more about the history of the area in Japanese, English and Mandarin. The journey takes about 35 minutes.The swan boat leaves every hour between 10am and 4pm, while the turtle boat leaves every half an hour on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only. In winter, the turtle boat remains docked and functions as a cafe and waiting area (from December 15th). The winter schedule for the swan boat is also reduced, with departures at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Aizu Urushi Lacquerware has a very long history – predating lacquerware from Wajima or Tsushima. Aizu Lacquerware was originally produced in areas of Aizu that experience very heavy annual snowfall. The industry began to boom about 400 years ago - this development was initiated by feudal lord Gamo Ujisato’s endorsement of Aizu Lacquerware.From then onwards, techniques used in the production of Aizu Lacquerware were refined and Aizu Lacquerware became very famous in Japan. You can make your paint your own design onto Aizu Lacquerware items, or even try painting with lacquer, in Aizu region.Makie Painting Experience WorkshopsSuzuzen (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,900 yen Page on Fukushima.Travel Website Suzutake (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,000 yen Must book in advance Page on Fukushima.Travel Website (Japanese)Bansho (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,200 yen Irregular opening hours in winter Website (Japanese)Fukubun (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,600 yen Irregular opening hours Must book in advance Website (Japanese)Shitsugei Tsunoda (Urabandai Area) From 1,000 yen They also have an experience where you can paint with real lacquer (From 10,000 yen) Must book in advance Website (Japanese)
Close to Kitakata station is Yamatogawa Brewery. This brewery was built in 1790 in the Edo Era, and has been producing sake ever since. The famous sake cultivated at this brewery is made using the clear, mountain water from Mt Iide.Another important component of Yamatogawa Brewery’s sake is the use of high-quality, carefully cultivated rice. This rice is grown in Yamatogawa Brewery’s own rice fields, and from the fields of selected local farming families. Next door to the brewery is the Northern Museum – where old earthen storehouses built during the Edo Era have been opened up to the public. Here you can learn about how the sake-making process has changed since the Edo period. Tours and sake tasting available for free.
This ramen shop has the characteristically simple flavors of Kitakata Ramen with their curly noodles. The Shokudo Hasegawa is one of the oldest ramen shops in Kitakata City. They use an original plump curly noodle with a satisfactory broth with flavors including soy sauce, salt, miso, and spicy miso.
Human Hub is a hip, two-floored shop in the east of Aizu-Wakamatsu, in the same region as common sightseeing spots like Tsurugajo Castle and Oyakuen Garden. The first floor features a baked good section and a cafe space serving hand-drip coffee, while the second floor is home to a coworking space, large-format print lab and a woodworking workshop for local craftsmen.Matching this eclectic mix of disciplines, the first floor shop sells a wide variety of independently-sourced goods, from household items like cushions or fabrics, local produce like oils, teas and jams, outdoor and garden products, and a clothes section.
Although Fukushima is most famous for its sake distilleries, the Inawashiro Original Beer Brewery has a growing reputation among expats for its rich taste. The large beer hall here is well-located in central Inawashiro, close to the lake, allowing travellers a chance to sample the beer and German sausages. Views of Mt. Bandai from the second-floor restaurant hall are spectacular and unobstructed, making this an excellent stopping place on a longer journey.The beer at Inawashiro is made using the famously pure mountain spring waters of Mt. Bandai, combined with German wheat and hops for a unique taste you won't find anywhere else in Japan. A 5-drink sample set is available for new guests to try the range of the brewery's most popular five beers.There's also a shop downstairs selling Fukushima specialties and beers from the brewery, as well as souvenir stand where you can buy ice cream (including a beer-flavoured one!)The brewery shares parking with the World Glassware Hall, where visitors can try their hand at glass-blowing and etching. The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall is also a short walk away.
Suehiro Sake Brewery was founded at the end of the Edo Period, in the mid 19th century. The Kaeigura (the building where the sake is brewed) has been designated as an important historical building by Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Here, visitors can take a guided tour of the sake-brewing process, as well as of old Japanese-style rooms which were built during the Meiji Period. The brewing process takes place from October to March every year. During this time, visitors can see the process and conditions inside the fermentation tanks. Visitors may try between six and ten different kinds of sake for free year-round. Suehiro sake and other Aizu products are available for sale on-site. On the left side after entering the gate stands a café called Kissa Ann. The architecture of Kissa Ann was remodelled from the Kaeigura's oldest storehouse. Here, you can enjoy coffee made with water prepared especially for making sake, and cake made using high-quality sake.
