Ouchijuku Today

Walking through Ouchijuku feels like stepping back in time. The preserved thatched-roof buildings, many of which now function as restaurants, inns, and souvenir shops, are aligned along the original dirt road—no paved sidewalks, no traffic lights, and even overhead cables are buried to preserve the Edo-era atmosphere.

One of the most popular local specialties is negi soba, a bowl of buckwheat noodles eaten using a long green onion instead of chopsticks. It’s a fun challenge and a must-try for visitors. The village also offers other traditional dishes such as grilled river fish (ayu) and mochi.

If you climb up to the viewpoint behind the shrine at the end of the main street, you’ll get a spectacular panoramic photo of the entire village, especially beautiful in winter when the thatched roofs are covered in snow.

While Ouchijuku can be explored in half a day, many visitors choose to stay overnight at a traditional ryokan to experience old-style Japanese hospitality and stargazing in the peaceful countryside.

Despite being a historic town, Ouchijuku is easily accessible by bus from Yunokami Onsen Station, making it a convenient day trip or stopover while exploring the Tohoku region.

Aizu Nishi Kaido

Ouchijuku is a small town located among high mountains that once flourished as an important city in the Edo period. The main road through this town was called Aizu Nishi Kaido or Shimotsuke Road, and it played an important role in connecting Aizu Wakamatsu, a fortified town in Fukushima with Imachi in Tochigi. When the Boshin Civil War broke out in 1868~1869 between the forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate and those trying to return political power to the imperial court, this city became a major battleground.

In the Meiji period, with the construction of the new road, the entire area was abandoned. And therefore, the image of the old times was left intact. In 1981, it was designated as an ‘Important Historic District for the Preservation of Old Buildings’.

The village is dotted with 300-year old wooden buildings and surrounded by mountains, making it a postcard-perfect environment. Ouchijuku is beautiful year-round, with blooming trees in spring and wintry scenes from December to February.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tohoku. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Aizuwakamatsu Castle, also known as Tsuruga Castle, is a traditional fortress located in the center of the city of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture. It is beautiful in spring, surrounded by cherry blossoms, but it is a great place to visit year-round. Let’s learn more about the history of this castle, and what you can see there today.

History of Aizuwakamatsu Castle

The castle was built by Ashina Naomori in 1384 and originally called Kurokawa Castle. Until 1868, it was the administrative and military center of Aizu. Date Masamune, the great warlord who fought the Ashina clan for years, captured it in 1589, but was soon subdued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and surrendered it in 1590.

In 1592, a new lord, Gamō Ujisato, redesigned it and named it Tsuruga Castle, although the townspeople still referred to it as Aizu Castle or Wakamatsu Castle. During the Edo Period, it was the seat of the Aizu Han daimyo. The founder was Hoshina Masayuki, the son of the Tokugawa Shogun Hidetada and the grandson of Ieyasu. He and his descendants used the Matsudaira surname again.

During the shogunate, it was an important Tokugawa stronghold in the region of Tōhoku in Honshu. In 1868 during the Battle of Aizu which was part of the Boshin War, it was besieged and after a month of resistance, it was surrendered by Matsudaira Katamori and in 1874 it was destroyed by the new government. The main tower of the castle, or tenshu, was rebuilt in 1965. It now houses a museum and, at the top, a lookout point with views of the entire city.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tohoku. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Aizu is an area that represents the western third of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan. The main city in the area is Aizuwakamatsu. The city is especially known for its delicious sake and a long history of samurai culture.

History

During the Edo period, Aizu was a feudal domain known as Aizuhan and part of Mutsu Province. The rulers (daimyo) in this area throughout much of the Edo period were from the Hoshina clan, formerly high servants of the Takeda clan. At the beginning of the 17th century the head of the family, Hoshina Masamitsu, adopted the illegitimate son of the second shogun Tokugawa Hidetada.

And as a result, the Hoshina family fortune grew larger and larger. Hoshina Masayuki, the adopted son, increased in importance during the term as shogun of his half-brother Tokugawa Iemitsu. He was even acting as regent when the fourth shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna was still too young to rule.

The clan eventually supported the shogun when he confronted the Emperor in the final days of the Edo Period. This made them ‘enemies of the Court’. They tried to keep the peace but were forced to fight in 1868 during the Boshin War. This was the time they got defeated after a fierce battle.

Aizuwakamatsu Nowadays

These days, Aizuwakamatsu is especially known for its beautiful castle, nearby traditional post village Ouchijuku, famous sake breweries like Suehiro Sake Brewery, and Aizu Bukeyashiki, a reconstructed samurai home. There are ski resorts in winter, and onsen hot springs nearby year-round.

Because of its more remote location, Aizuwakamatsu is not an area that receives many foreign tourists which makes it a great destination for those looking to discover the lesser-known parts of Japan.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tohoku. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!