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TSURUGAJO CASTLE

a symbol of SAMURAI city built in 1384

The recommended period for cherry blossom viewing is usually around April.

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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TAKASE no TAIBOKU

a large Zelkova tree that is about 500 years old

This is the site where a castle was planned to be built about 500 years ago.

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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ISHIBE ZAKURA

Cherry Blossoms in ISHIBE

A magnificent cherry tree made up of 10 trunks.
The recommended period for cherry blossom viewing is usually around April.

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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MOTTAINAI AIZU

an opinion leader in the SDGs era (MOTTAINAI means "too good too waste")

The organization remakes old clothes into dresses, accessories, bags, and other items and sells them at its Charity shop, and also holds fashion shows with the production staff acting as models.
TEL: +81 (0)90 2790 0393

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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Foot Bath at HIGASHIYAMA Hot Spring

a public foot bath at a hot springs resort opened 1300 years ago

This foot bath is free of charge to use

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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Ghost Footprint

Footprint left on the Katsura floor

It is said that ghost footprint can still be found on the floorboards of the main hall of Dairyu-ji Temple, which was founded about 400 years ago. Yae Niijima, the wife of Jo Niijima, the founder of Doshisha University in Kyoto, built the graves of her ancestors at this temple.

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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Lacquer item made in AIZU

"SHIKKI" is traditional crafts from the AIZU

For over 500 years, Aizu has been a major lacquerware production area, handling everything from lacquer tree cultivation to decoration. It temporarily declined during the Aizu War, but has now regained its vitality as one of Japan's leading lacquerware production areas.

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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Tofu Mochi

Rice cake made from Tofu (local dish passed down in some areas of Aizu)

A dish made by mixing mashed tofu with soy sauce and dashi stock.
Nowadays, there is a restaurant in Aizu-Wakamatsu that specializes in this dish.

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.

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Mt. IIMORI

a mountain with sad story

The summit is well known as the place where 19 young soldiers, known as the Byakkotai, committed suicide during the Aizu War. There are two ways to get to the summit: on foot or by taking the paid escalator (cheap).

Aizu.Wakamatsu C.


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NAGATOKO		Thatched roof worship hall with long floor
	This is an ancient shrine that was established in 1055. The worship hall, Nagatoko, is a building in the style of the Shinden-zukuri style (the ancient bedroom style) of the Heian period, with 44 cylinders, each 1 shaku 5 sun (about 45 centimeters) in diameter, arranged at equal intervals in five rows, and the entire building is open to the public. The adjacent Kumano Shrine Treasure Hall (for a fee) houses many national and prefectural cultural properties, including copper bowls, which can be viewed. In front of the Nagatoko stands a large ginkgo tree that is said to be 800 years old, and in late autumn, its fallen leaves beautifully color the grounds like a yellow carpet. During the peak viewing period from mid- to late November, the tree is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere.		Kitakata C.

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Cherry blossom trees at NICHU Line		weeping cherry tree lined street
	The Nichu Line Weeping Cherry Tree Line was developed as a promenade on part of the site of the JR Train Nicchu Line, which was closed in 1984. Approximately 1,000 weeping cherry trees are planted along a 3-kilometer stretch from north to south! Within the avenue, you can also see a steam locomotive that ran there at the time, as well as the so-called "cherry blossom tunnel" where cherry blossoms seem to be falling from both sides of the road, making it a great photo spot. The Kitakata Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year in April when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.		Kitakata C.

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RAMEN City		one of the three great ramen in Japan
	Kitakata Ramen is counted as one of the three great ramen in Japan, along with Sapporo ramen and Hakata ramen. The soup is a clear pork bone broth flavored with soy sauce, and has a light taste. Many restaurants serve the traditional type of ramen. The noodles are thick, called "flat, matured, high-hydration noodles," and have a unique curl and soft texture. Kitakata City Hall has set up a Kitakata Ramen Department. There is a ramen shrine.		Kitakata C.

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Rural KABUKI in OKU (inner part)-AIZU		one of the traditional Japanese performing art
	In the inner region of Aizu called Oku-Aizu, farmers have been performing kabuki since the Edo period. Kabuki at the Hinoemata village held around May and August or September is very famous.Kabuki has been designated an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.		Minami Aizu county and Hinoemata V.

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AIZU JIDORI (local chicken)		this has been handed down for over 500 years
	Aizu Jidori is raised for two to three times longer than broilers, in an environment where they can move around freely (floor-raised), so the meat is different from other chickens, has excellent richness and flavor.A rare local chicken that has been handed down for over 500 years.		Rural areas in Oku (inner part)-Aizu

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JR TADAMI Line		a spectacular view of a train running
	The most popular scenic spot is about a 10-minute walk up a mountain path from the nearest store. There are several other scenic spots nearby.		Mishima T.

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NIHON MITSUBACHI (Japanese honeybee)		traditional Japanese beekeeping using hives
	The nectar of the Japanese honeybee, a species native to Japan, is a multi-flower nectar blended with nectar from various flowers, and is said to have a richer flavor than the nectar of Western honeybees.		Mountain area in Oku-Aizu

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HIGAERI Onsen (day trip Hot Spring)		also can enjoy the open-air bath
	A lot of hot springs in this region have a history of over 1,000 years and there are many natural medicinal with 100 percent natural spring water. The baths are separated into men's and women's areas, and bathing clothes such as swimsuits are not permitted. Also, due to ancient customs, people with tattoos may be refused entry to the baths, so it is necessary to check beforehand in that case.		all over of Minami Aizu area

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MAEZAWA Village		L-Shaped Farmhouses
	Maezawa Village was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government in 2011. The distinctive features of the buildings are the L-shaped curved houses with thatched roofs. As the village is an area with heavy snowfall, the Magariya houses (L-shaped curved houses) are designed so that people can live together with their precious cows and horses, who are indispensable to their lives. The protruding part in the front is for the cows and horses, while the building in the back is the living space for the people. The gables are highly designed, with skylights, wooden beams and crossbeams, carvings on the front lining, and fox lattice. The distinctive feature of the houses is that people still live in them today, retaining the appearance of the time. BTW, don't forget that here is a bear habitat!		Maezawa, Minami Aizu T.

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SAKUDARI KANNONDO HALL

a hall built on a cliff irenovated in 1358

A quiet place where few people know. There is a parking lot near the building (a parking lot at the foot is far away). Admission and parking are both free. It's possible to get a temple seal at a private house at the foot of hall (for a fee).

Aizu Misato T.

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A top Ski Resort, URABANDAI

High-quality powder snow that rivals of Hokkaido

A ski resort where you can ski down the slope with a spectacular view of Mt. Bandai right in front of you. There is a free shuttle bus that connects the hotel and the ski resort.

Bandai T. and
Kita-Shiobara V.

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Lake INAWASHIRO

the fourth largest lake in Japan

Located almost in the center of Fukushima-Ken, it is one of the highest lakes in Japan and belongs to Bandai-Asahi National Park. In the summer, you can enjoy not only swimming but also various water sports such as marine jet skiing.

Inawashiro T.

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CHOSHI no KUCHI

canyon looks like mouth of a sake bottle

Located near Niigata Prefecture, this is a particularly famous scenic spot in the Agagawa River gorge. This is where the strangely shaped rocks jut out from both banks. It was named after the fact that the surrounding terrain resembles the narrow neck of Sake Bottle（"Choshi" is the Japanese word for sake served in a ceramic sake-bottle). The wide river suddenly narrows to just over 10 meters, and it was said to be the most difficult part of shipping rice, causing great suffering to the people. The way the rapids wash over the rocks is spectacular. It is also famous as a great spot to see autumn leaves, with the best viewing time being from late October to mid-November.

Nishi-Aizu T.

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TACHIKI KANNON

called standing tree Kannon

This is one of the three Aizu Korori Kannon and a symbol of Aizu. The origin of the name Korori Kannon comes from the legend that if you hug the pillar inside the hall and make a wish while looking at the face of Kannon, any wish will come true easily. Built over 800 years ago, the interior features huge columns and magnificent wooden walls, and the main object of worship, "the Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon" is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan, carved into a large tree with its roots still attached. Local people affectionately call it "Standing Tree Kannon." Shoes are not permitted inside the hall, so you must remove shoes before entering.

Aizu-Bange T.

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KOKUZOSON Hall

a majestic temple (Enzoji) overlooking the Tadami River

A famous temple built over 1200 years ago. In the grounds, there is a statue of Akabeko (red cow), which is said to bring good luck. The highlight of this temple is the Nanokado Naked Mairi, held every year at 8:30 pm on January 7th. Many men clad in loincloths called FUNDOSHI climb the hemp rope of the hall of Enzoji Temple, aiming for the top. This festival is held to pray for happiness and good health for the year. The public is also welcome to participate.

Yanaizu T.

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Lake NUMAZAWA Water Festival

reenacting the legend of the serpent

The Numazawa Lake Festival is Kanayama Town's largest festival, held for two days every year on the first Saturday and Sunday of August at Lake Numazawa, a lake surrounded by forest. The "Giant Snake Extermination," a reenactment based on the legend of a giant snake passed down in the Numazawa community, is very impressive. Over the two days, a period picture scroll based on the legend of the extermination of a giant snake that lived in Lake Numazawa more than 800 years ago will be reenacted. Other events include fireworks, stage shows, and fish catching.

Kaneyama T.

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TO no HETSURI

towers on the cliff

It has been designated as a national natural monument as a good example of a deformed river-cut landform. "Hetsuri" is an Aizu dialect word that means a steep cliff approaching a river. Large, strangely shaped rocks are lined up over a total length of 200 meters and main rocks have names. A path has been carved around these rocks, but due to collapse over time, access is prohibited except around the Butai-iwa rock (stage rock) where the suspension bridge crosses. The towering strange rocks are made of tuff from the Neogene layer formed about 28 million to 1 million years ago. Over the years, the river's water flow, rain and wind have worn down the rocks, and the soft parts have been eroded, creating a unique shape like a tower with many layers. Crossing the suspension bridge makes noises and sways, making it a thrilling experience. From the suspension bridge, you can enjoy the emerald green water surface and beautiful views.

Shimogo T.