Is Aizu-Wakamatsu Price Visiting?

Vacationers are likely to affiliate Fukushima (to the extent that they perceive a single factor about it) with the coast. Particularly, a tsunami-ravaged coast with spent nuclear gas leaking into it.

This isn’t honest for quite a lot of causes, amongst them the truth that most of Fukushima has negligible background radiation ranges lately. It’s additionally extremely inaccurate: Lots of the greatest locations to go to in Fukushima aren’t excessive up within the mountains, hours away from the ocean. Aizu-Wakamatsu is one in every of them.

And, is Aizu-Wakamatsu price visiting? Effectively, I’ve written this text, so I believe you’ll be able to most likely guess the reply. Then once more, this place is extra complicated than a sure/no query.

Aizu-Wakamatsu is Fukushima’s Best First Vacation spot

The benefit of having fun with your self is likely one of the issues that almost all makes Aizu-Wakamatsu price visiting. Like so lots of Japan’s nice vacationer locations, you’ll be able to get pleasure from a number of superb sights inside a manageable stroll of the prepare station, and still have many meals choices as nicely. That is in distinction to different locations in Fukushima, lots of that are to this point other than each other that you actually need a automotive.

Now, with this being mentioned, Aizu-Wakamatsu will not be as straightforward to succeed in as cities like Fukushima Metropolis and Koriyama—These are each immediately alongside the Shinkansen. In contrast, with the intention to attain Aizu-Wakamatsu, it is advisable to trip an area prepare alongside the JR Ban-etsu Line when you get off the bullet prepare. Or, if you happen to’re coming from Niigata, you’ll be able to trip a bus as an alternative.

What to Do in Aizu-Wakamatsu

Discover the grounds of Tsuruga Fortress

 

As is the case for all however 12 of the constructions in Japan, Aizu-Wakamatsu’s Tsuruga Fortress will not be amongst Japan’s authentic castles. Nonetheless, it’s distinctive, on account of its orange-red roof, to say nothing of how lovely Mt. Bandai appears rising over it on a transparent day. Tsuruga-jo is especially beautiful amid the autumn colours and cherry blossoms of spring, however is gorgeous in any season.

Get dizzy at Sazae-do

 

One other important addition to your Aizu-Wakamatsu itinerary is Sazae-do, a singular octagon-shaped temple which you can go inside and climb up. I’ll be sincere that it may be a bit intimidating. After you end her, be sure to benefit from the view of the city, with snow-capped mountains rising behind it in all however the very hottest elements of the summer time.

Take pleasure in a meal of sauce katsu

 

Fukushima is usually a foodie paradise, however Aizu itself is among the many greatest locations to eat a very satisfying dish. I’m speaking, after all, about “sauce katsu.” As its title suggests, this dish smothers tonkatsu pork cutlets in a savory, candy sauce, one which’s not completely un-reminiscent of misokatsu in Nagoya. The small restaurant on the Igarashi Vacationer Heart simply throughout from Sazae-do is a good place to get pleasure from it.

Take a day journey to Ouchi-juku

 

Past the issues to do in Aizu-Wakamatsu itself, there’s loads to discover on the outskirts. The Ouchi-juku outdated road is one in every of my favorites, particularly in autumn. Do remember that getting right here will be cumbersome, at the very least until you’re comfy renting a automotive. You’ll have to trip an area JR Ban-etsu Line prepare to Yunokami Onsen, after which get a bus from there.

(Or alongside the Bandai-Azuma Skyline)

 

Talking of Fukushima in autumn, the “five-colored” Goshiki-numa ponds alongside the scenic Bandai-Azuma Skyline are particularly beautiful when the leaves round them are orange and crimson. The remainder of the street is beautiful anytime of 12 months, whether or not you trip a swan boat on huge Lake Inawashiro, or acquire some altitude on varied mountain climbing trails.

How Lengthy Do You Want in Aizu-Wakamatsu?

Aizu-Wakamatsu itself isn’t large. Actually, if you happen to merely wished to discover locations inside the city heart, you would come on a day journey. That is particularly doable if in case you have a automotive, which saves you from having to take care of the sluggish speeds and not-so-frequent departures of the JR Ban-etsu Line. However to be sincere, you would nonetheless do a day journey, even when it’s a must to rely upon the prepare.

Now, if you happen to plan to make use of Aizu as a base quite than as an end-all, be-all, the dialogue about what number of days in Aizu-Wakamatsu you want adjustments. You’ll most likely wish to spend an additional day visiting Ouchi-juku, notably if you happen to’re relying upon public transportation to get there. Likewise, the Bandai-Azuma Skyline requires a full day for most individuals.

Different FAQ About Visiting Aizu-Wakamatsu

How lengthy to spend in Ouchi-juku?

Ouchi-juku is successfully only one road. Whether or not you sit down for soba noodles or get pleasure from a view of city by means of a body of colourful autumn leaves, you don’t want longer than half a day there. Then again, it’s going to take a while to get there and again, so maintain that in thoughts.

How do I get to Ouchi-juku from Tokyo?

Attending to Ouchi-juku from Tokyo is sophisticated—if you happen to go completely by public transportation, you’ll probably have to spend the night time in both Aizu or Koriyama. From Aizu, it is advisable to trip the JR Ban-Etsu Line to Yunokami Onsen Station, and a Saruyu-go Bus from there.

Is Aizu-Wakamatsu secure?

Aizu-Wakamatsu, like a lot of the remainder of Japan, has a particularly excessive stage of private security, with nearly no danger of violent and even petty crime. With regard to Fukushima’s much-hyped radiation, there’s completely none in Aizu, which has really been the case even since days after the catastrophe.

The Backside Line

Is Aizu-Wakamatsu price visiting? Definitely, it’s among the many most gratifying locations in Fukushima prefecture, which is why so many vacationers make it their first cease on this a part of Japan. For some vacationers, sights within the heart of Aizu are loads attention-grabbing. These embrace red-roofed Tsuruga Fortress, and the unusual octagonal temple generally known as Sazae-do. Others will hire a automotive and discover extra deeply, be it to the Ouchi-juku outdated road, or to pure locations alongside the Bandai-Azuma Skyline street. Need to be sure Fukushima-ken suits in completely with the remainder of your time in Japan? Rent me to plan a customized Japan itinerary as we speak!