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Aizu-Wakamatsu is an historic castle city that prospered as an agricultural center and for the production of lacquerware. It was the seat of the powerful Aizu clan, stalwart supporters of the Tokugawa Shoguns, who fought one of the last major battles here against the victorious Imperial army in 1868.
Kitakata, north of Aizu-Wakamatsu, is famous for its historical "kura" or storehouses.
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| JR-EAST trains. Tohoku Shinkansen trains to Koriyama, then transfer to the JR Ban-Etsu line to Aizu-Wakamatsu. Very frequent services. About 2 hours 30 minutes.
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Tsuruga Castle :
First built in 1384 and subsequently rebuilt many times. The present structure, built in 1965, houses a museum.
Aizu Samurai Residence :
A reconstruction of the 35-room home of a leading retainer of the Aizu clan. The site includes a magistrate's court and rice polishing plant.
Aizu Sake Museum :
Aizu has always been an important sake brewing center. The museum houses an interesting collection of implements used in sake making through the ages.
Aizu Lacquerware Museum :
An excellent collection of Aizu-nuri, the distinctive local lacquerware. |
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Tokyo Station – Koriyama by JR Tohoku Shinkansen, change to local train to Sugita (20 minutes) visit brewery. Return to Koriyama – JR to Aizu-Wakamatsu. Sightseeing at Wakamatsu : Tsuruga castle ( 400), Aizu Sake Museum (300), Samurai House (1,000).
Stay :
[ Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel ]
9,450 for a shared twin room with breakfast.
Mukadai Ryokan (Japanese style inn) 18,900 for two people with dinner and breakfast, located at Higashiyama Onsen (hot spring) 20 minutes by bus from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. |
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After breakfast, travel to Kitakata, then back to Tokyo via Koriyama.
Aizu-wakamatsu to Kitakata by local train (20 minutes). Kitakata to Koriyama takes 1 hour 40 minutes by JR train. Koriyama to Tokyo (JR Bullet Train1 hour 25 minutes).
Kitakata has many sake breweries and souvenir shops selling local products. A popular snack is Kitakata Ramen, a local version of a favorite Japanese soup noodle dish. The town lies on a flat plain and getting about by rental bicycle is convenient and reasonable.
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| Tsuruga Castle |
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| Aizu Sake Museum |
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| Aizu Samurai Residence |
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