The Aizu area to the west of Fukushima Prefecture is the location of principal areas like Aizu-wakamatsu City, home to Tsurugajo Castle. Tradition and samurai culture are deeply embedded in the region. Further afield, the Edo-era post town of Ouchi-juku can be found in Shimogo, in the southern Minami-aizu area. To the southwest, explore the Oze National Park area—a sweeping natural environment that reaches beyond Fukushima into Gunma, Niigata, and Tochigi too. Venturing north takes you to the ramen capital of Kitakata, also known for its sake and craft culture.
15° - 16°
20° - 21° 15° - 16°
17° - 18°
Only a one-minute walk north of Kawageta Station (JR Ban-etsu West Line) is this beautiful 1 km-path along the banks of the Kannonji-gawa River. In the spring the path transforms into a spectacular tunnel of Yoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees. Kannonji-gawa River is perhaps the most fa...
Located less than 4km from Tsurugajo Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima, Mt. Iimoriyama has had a difficult and somewhat dark past. But despite it’s history the natural beauty of the place remains untarnished. There are many local food stalls set up near the base of the mountain, so it&rsq...
Japan's third-largest freshwater lake, Lake Inawashiro is situated in Bandai Asahi National Park. It is also known as the “Heavenly Mirror Lake” and has a surface area of 104 square kilometers! The combination of Lake Inawashiro and Mt. Bandai form one of Aizu's representative...
Established over 1,300 years ago, Higashiyama Onsen is a well-known retreat area in Aizu-Wakamatsu City. The recognized historical onsen town is said to have been founded by the Buddhist priest Gyōki. According to legend, he found the area by following a bird with three legs, an auspicious and my...
The base area of the slopes is as high as 1,050 m above sea level, ensuring skiers high quality snow and crisp, clean air. Th(e squeak of snow when you step on it and the feel of the snow underfoot are unforgettable. All the roads to Minowa Ski Resort are national routes, so even when they are co...
When visiting Tsurugajo Castle, remember to check out the Rinkaku Tea Rooms, which are situated inside the castle grounds. These beautiful Japanese gardens are well worth a visit. What's more, you can enjoy traditional Japanese matcha tea together with a seasonal treat, all while looking out ...
You can now try on yukata or kimono at Tsuruga Kimono Rental Shop, which opened in April 2019. Tsuruga Kimono Rental Shop is located on the second floor of Tsurugajo Kaikan, which is right next to Tsurugajo Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Rent a kimono or yukata and take photos with friends and f...
Kaneyama Town is a scenic, rural town surrounded by woods. One of the most famous things about Kaneyama Town is its well of naturally carbonated water. Such water is rarely found in Japan. Small bubbles are infused into the water, giving it a gentle and smooth taste. Locals and visitors tak...
Alts Snow Park & Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in the Tohoku Region, with 29 courses scattered along the ridges of Mt. Bandai and Mt. Nekoma. A wide variety of terrain, including gentle and steep slopes, mogul courses and courses for long cruising, offer enjoyment for skiers at all...
Have fun skiing on high-quality, natural powder snow at Aizu Kogen Takatsue Ski Resort. The ski resort can be reached easily from Tokyo via the Revaty train service between Asakusa and Minamiaizu. From the summit of the slopes, a vertical drop height of 1650 m gives visitors a 360-degree panoram...
The sister inn to Chiyotaki Inn. Kutsurogi-Juku Shintaki Inn used to be the resort villa of Lord Matsudaira of the Aizu Domain. This ryokan has been loved and frequented by many of the literati and artists of the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. Here you can enjoy three different hot spring bath...
Ashina is a Japanese-style inn that preserves an atmosphere of old-style living in the Tohoku Region. The facility used to be part of a 120-year-old private residence, which was taken apart, moved and then rebuilt at its present location. An overnight stay at this inn will allow guests to experie...
Tokyo Station to Ouchi-juku (Via Shin-Shirakawa) Koriyama Station to Ouchi-juku Fukushima Station to Ouchi-juku Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Ouchi-juku Please note that all times are rough estimations and do not include accurate waiting times between stops. TOKYO S...
ABOUT SERVICE DISRUPTIONS Replacement bus service runs between Aizu-Kawaguchi Station and Tadami Station. TIMETABLE (FROM AIZU-WAKAMATSU TO KOIDE, VIA TADAMI) Station Name Aizu-Wakamatsu 6:00 7:37 13:07 16:57 19:41 21:42 ...
I discovered Mt Iwatsuno by accident recently. I did a farmstay a couple of weeks ago in Motomiya City, and when I asked my farmstay host about her favourite place in Motomiya, she told me about Mt Iwatsuno. My farmstay host described Mt Iwatsuno as a mountainside scattered with huge ...
I discovered an awesome temple in Fukushima City! I’ve known that Ioji Temple existed for a long time, because one of the train stations on the Iizaka Line is named after it, but I visited it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The architecture and traditional garden ...
I recently got to try my hand at making awamanju (a local delicacy from Yanaizu Town, Aizu) and really enjoyed the experience! This activity is suitable for people of all ages, and staff can even instruct you in English! But first things first… WHAT IS A MANJU? Manju a...
This autumn, I visited Showa Village, in the rural Okuaizu region. One of the places I took a trip to was Michi-no-Eki Karamushi Orinosato Showa (Roadside Station) – pictured below – where I was able to try traditional ramie weaving! From shirts to bags, decorations to mat...
The Aizu Tajima Gion Festival has so much history and really gives visitors a chance to feel like they are participating in a local Japanese festival, as opposed to just observing it. When I look back at the photos I took at last year’s Gion Festival, I’m transported back ...
I had seen some amazing photos of the Mugenkyo Ferry (夢幻峡の渡し）passing through the beautiful emerald water of the Tadami River, and was excited to go and experience the ferry ride for myself. So I headed off to Mishima Town to meet Hoshi san, who had kindly offered to show me around. MY E...
Mishima Town, in rural Okuaizu, is known for its beautiful scenery, historic craft techniques, delicious soba (buckwheat), and high quality Paulownia wood, known as ‘kiri’ in Japanese. Mishima has also been gaining attention in recent years for a less positive reason &ndas...
When I’ve spoken to friends from around the world who have visited Fukushima about their favorite places in the prefecture, this museum’s name has been brought up time and time again. So what is so special about this museum? SALVADOR DALI GALORE The founder of Morohashi Muse...
WHY IS THERE A GION FESTIVAL IN AIZU-TAJIMA? The most famous Gion Festival takes place every year in Gion, Kyoto. Hundreds of years ago, elite families were moved to various areas around the country. One of these areas was Aizu-Tajima, in Minamia Aizu, Fukushima. The families that moved fro...
Dotted around Nanukamachi-dori, Aizu-Wakamatsu stand a number of extremely old buildings. Coming to this area of the city feels like stepping back in time, especially at quieter times of day. Many of the warehouses and factories that stand on Nanokamachi-dori are still used to this ...
Ouchi-juku’s breathtaking snow festival is held on the 2nd weekend of February every year in Ouchi-juku, Minamiaizu. Ouchi-juku is a town with a rich history, and is well known having been used as a ‘post-town’ for travellers during the Edo period. The area includes ...
Sazae-do is a very special Buddhist temple. Constructed in 1796 entirely from wood, Sazae-do has a double-helix structure, meaning that those who enter Sazae-do will leave the building without encountering anybody traveling in the opposite direction. The one-way route of Sazae-do w...
I am often asked about how to reach the No. 1 Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint which has become the focus of spotlights across the world. Taking a look at the beautiful photographs that can be taken there, it is easy to understand why people all around the world have fallen for this picturesq...
Constructed at the end of the 16th century, the thatched roof farmhouses of Tateiwa Village are a hidden gem, buried deep in the heart of Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture. L-SHAPED FARMHOUSES One of the first things I noticed upon arriving at Maezawa Village was the huge size and o...
Yesterday I ticked one place off of my Fukushima bucket-list: the cherry blossom along the Nicchu Line in Kitakata City. It definitely did not disappoint, and I am so glad I got to go. The Nicchu Line is an old railway line that used to run between Kitakata City & Atsushio Onsen town. ...
Having started its business in 1850, the brewery was the first sake establishment in Fukushima who employed Toji: a sake brewing specialist. Aizu has all of the requirements for fine sake brewing: quality rice and water, and a cold inland climate; Kaeigura has been particular about using only ...
I’m going to jump right into it: 6 Reasons to Go Skiing in Fukushima this winter! 1) ACCESS FROM TOKYO Some of Fukushima main ski resorts can be reached in just 2.5 hours by train (shinkansen and local) & bus 2) LONG SKI SEASON Being the third largest prefecture in Japan mak...
Summer is the perfect time to take a hike around the incredible Goshiki-numa, Urabandai. The range of colours which can be seen in the water of the picturesque lakes and ponds of this area has given it the name ‘Goshiki-numa’, meaning ‘Five Coloured Marshes’. The...
Yanaizu Town lies west of the historic city of Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture. It’s a perfect destination to include in a day trip from Aizu-Wakamatsu City, or as part of the journey to Kaneyama or Miyashita, where you can stay the night before venturing out to see the No. 1 Tadami Ri...
Mt. Bandai is one of the most recognizable of Fukushima’s landmarks. It towers in the background of many scenic places and is located in a super picturesque area right next to Lake Inawashiro. Mt. Bandai is situated in Bandai-Asahi National Park, and is the focal point of the gorgeou...
Every time I visit Ouchi-juku, I notice new, amazing things about it. I thought I’d document a few of them in this post. I love taking photographs at Ouchi-juku, so I’d like to let my photos do the talking for the most part!
Tsurugajo Castle is a popular spot to visit among tourists coming to Fukushima. Whether you’re discovering the samurai history of Aizu Wakamatsu City in the castle museum, relaxing while taking a sip of freshly-prepared matcha at Rinkaku Tea Ceremony Rooms, or snapping some photos from the ...
Tucked away in Shimogo town, Minamiaizu, stands To-no-Hetsuri – an area of magnificent and other-worldly rock formations carved away from years of natural erosion. If the name ‘Shimogo’ rings a bell, it is because is it the same town where Ouchi-juku – the old post ...
I went to Lake Inawashiro last weekend for a BBQ with some friends and was reminded of just how spectacularly beautiful Inawashiro area is – especially in the summer. Yesterday I traveled to Inawashiro Town and nearby Kitashiobara Village for work, so that I could check out some of the bes...
The Tadami Line is an incredibly scenic railway that runs across Aizu. Connecting the bustling samurai city of Aizu Wakamatsu with the serene, gorgeous countryside of Oku Aizu, this route is definitely one to try out if you want a chance to see rural Japan at its best. Although I have visit...
Here is an example of the kind of trip you could do in two days in Aizuwakamatsu City. Of course, all of the places mentioned below could be fitted into one day – but it might be a bit of a squeeze! DAY 1 1. FUKUSHIMA STATION 2. TSURUGA-JO CASTLE One of the most famous c...
Here is an example 1 day intinerary for a trip to Kitakata City! You will find some detailed information about the places on this itinerary, as well as a short list of useful Japanese words specific to Kitakata City! 1. KITAKATA STATION Start your trip at Kitakata Station. Kit...
Minamiaizu is a very large area of Fukushima Prefecture, so it may be difficult to decide whereabouts to go! I have created a model 3 day course which you could follow as part of your visit to Fukushima Prefecture. Renting a car is necessary for this suggested itinerary. I will be uploading an it...
INTRODUCTION In Fukushima, you will find a place where you can experience for yourself what the training of real Samurai was like and how they spent their lives.The Aizu region of Fukushima was the last region of resistance to Japan’s new modernized army. The land was home to the Bushido...
