Aizu-Wakamatsu
10 – 12 NOV · 2 NIGHTS · BASE 4 OF 5
Aizu-Wakamatsu is a castle town in western Fukushima Prefecture, one of the last shogunate-loyalist strongholds in the 1868 Boshin War — the conflict that ended the samurai era and founded modern Japan. Its castle, samurai district, and the teenage Byakkotai warriors' story are all tied to that single, brief siege. The trip spends one full day on the city's own loop-bus circuit, then a half-day trip out to the thatched-roof post town of Ouchi-juku before continuing to Tokyo.
Where you're staying
Toyoko Inn Aizuwakamatsu Ekimae 東横INN会津若松駅前
- Address
- 222-1 Byakko-machi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima 965-0024
〒965-0024 福島県会津若松市白虎町222-1 - Check-in
- from 1500
- Check-out
- by 1000
- Cost
- ¥32,340 (S$262.69, booked via Agoda)
- Paid by
- UOB VS
- Room
- Economy Double Room · Non-Smoking, 2 adults
- Note
- Breakfast and WiFi included in the rate.
- Map
- Open in Google Maps ↗
What to see
In order of the trip's own route: the city loop-bus circuit (Iimoriyama through Suehiro Sake Brewery), then Ouchi-juku on the way out.
See the full trip map ↗Iimoriyama
- Site of the 1868 Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps) tragedy: 20 teenage samurai, age 14–16, saw smoke over Tsuruga Castle, believed it had fallen, and committed seppuku — the castle had actually not fallen.
- 19 individual Byakkotai graves stand on the hill, alongside monuments donated by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
- A viewpoint near the graves looks directly toward Tsuruga Castle, replicating the soldiers' own sightline.
- Sazaedo Temple sits on the hill's north side — a separate ticketed structure, below.
Sazaedo Temple さざえ堂
covered by MACHINAKA Sightseeing pass — reference fare ¥400
- Built 1796 — a 16.5m hexagonal wooden structure whose interior resembles a turban shell ("sazae").
- Unique double-helix spiral ramp: one path goes up, a separate path comes down, so visitors going opposite directions never cross.
- Originally lined with 33 Kannon statues so worshippers could "visit" 33 sacred sites in one pass — removed during the Meiji-era anti-Buddhist campaign.
Samurai Residences 会津武家屋敷 · Aizu Bukeyashiki
covered by MACHINAKA Sightseeing pass — reference fare ¥950
- Reconstruction of the residence of Saigo Tanomo, chief retainer to the Aizu domain lord — the original burned in the 1868 Boshin War, rebuilt from surviving blueprints.
- ~38 rooms across the compound: reception halls, a tea house, an archery range, and a rice mill.
- Wax/mannequin figures throughout depict Edo-period samurai household life.
- On-site shop for Aizu crafts and a restaurant serving local cuisine.
Tsuruga Castle 鶴ヶ城
covered by MACHINAKA Sightseeing pass — reference fare ¥410 (castle keep only)
- Original castle dates to 1384; became one of the last shogunate-loyalist strongholds during the 1868 Boshin War siege.
- Current structure is a 1960s concrete reconstruction.
- A 2011 renovation restored the roof tiles to their original red color — the only Japanese castle with a red-tiled roof.
Nanukamachi Street 七日町通り
- Named for a market historically held on the 7th day of each month — was the busiest street in old Aizu as the western gateway into the castle town.
- ~800m stretch lined with Edo/Taisho-era warehouses, Western-style buildings, and wooden merchant houses, now cafes and craft/souvenir shops.
- Known for Aizu hand-painted candles (a 500+ year craft tradition) and Aizu lacquerware.
- Several working sake breweries — including Suehiro, below — sit directly on or just off the street.
Suehiro Sake Brewery 末廣酒造
- Founded 1850; family-run for eight generations, one of Tohoku's largest and most decorated sake producers.
- Uses the traditional slow-fermentation "Yamahai" method for its premium sake.
- Hourly guided tours through the brewing area, an on-site museum, and a tasting bar (tour/tasting fee not itemized beyond free general admission).
- Also houses Japan's largest private collection of film cameras (500+) and a cafe serving sake-infused desserts.
Ouchi-juku 大内宿
- Edo-period post town on the Aizu-Nishi Kaido trade route linking Aizu and Nikko — travelers went on foot, spurring rest-stop towns like this one.
- 30+ preserved thatched-roof buildings; a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings since 1981, with power lines buried to preserve the historic look.
- The Former Honjin (main inn for high-ranking officials) is now a small museum of period artifacts.
- Local specialty is negi soba — handmade soba eaten using a whole long green onion instead of chopsticks. The broth is typically bonito-dashi based unless a shop says otherwise — ask before ordering.
Where to eat
The trip's own plan is supermarket dinners both Aizu nights — these are extra options nearby, not booked stops.
See more food options on the trip map ↗Mitsutaya 満田屋
Edo-period (1834-founded) miso specialty shop, famous for miso dengaku — skewers grilled over charcoal, coated in house miso. Most skewers are vegetarian-workable à la carte (¥330 each): konnyaku, fried tofu, mochi, taro, shishito pepper, shiitake — but the standard ¥1,850 set course includes dried herring by default and there's a separate wiener-sausage skewer, so order individually rather than the set.
Open in Google Maps ↗Vegemahi ローフード
Fully vegan/plant-based raw-food restaurant (opened March 2023). Signature plate: salad + five side dishes + mini smoothie + rice + soup. Also offers gluten-free options and allergy-accommodating bento boxes.
Open in Google Maps ↗Where to shop
Nanukamachi Street, above, is the main shopping stop — Aizu lacquerware and hand-painted candles.
See more shopping options on the trip map ↗