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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