Aizu has long been an important city in Japanese history.
It is known as the final resting place of the Samurai.
So, Aizu is very popular for its rich samurai culture,
traditional industries such as world-class sake, Japan's leading lacquerware,
and nostalgic scenery.
Walking around Aizu, you get a sense of a sacred but long-gone era.
Here you can look into the lives of the samurai warriors who once filled the streets!
At Aizuwakamatsu station ( meeting time/ 10:00 )
Thiis is the only castle in Japan with beautiful red tiles, the symbol of Aizu.
You can taste traditional Japanese tea in the tea ceremony room.
Take a look into highly-ranked Aizu samurais' daily life.
You can enjoy casual matcha green tea while viewing the beautiful Japanese garden.
It is also famous for its medicinal herb garden, which offers herbal tea
World famous Buddhist temple which has worldwide rare structure, two spiral ramps.
It was showcased in Michelin Green Guide
Try some of the local dishes and visit sake breweries , home to some of the world's best sake!
You can enjoy traditional folk arts and crafts including lacquer ware at shops on the retro street and find great souvenirs.
Aizu was last battleground in the end of the samurai period.
See the place where the young samurai laid their souls to rest.
Old inn town
Thatched-roof houses line the street.
You can feel as if you went back in time to old Japan
*It is a little far from other sightseeing spots.
The most high level school in the Edo period.
You can experience Kyudo (Japanese archery).
*It is a little far from other sightseeing spots.
natural monuments
A dynamic scenic spot with a series of oddly shaped rocks
*It is a little far from other sightseeing spots.
Wealthy merchant's residence with very unique black-painted walls.
At Aizuwakamatsu station
In Aizu, you can fully enjoy samurai culture at a castle, samurai residences, samurai schools,
and other historical sites.
Then, a visit to Ouchi-juku, an inn town with thatched-roof houses more than 200 years old, will make you feel as if you were back in the good old days.
Another fascinating attraction is the To-no-hetsuri, a natural beauty, giant rock cliffs that has been created over a million years.
You can also taste Japan's best sake at sake breweries and local cuisine on a street with a nostalgic atmosphere.
Casual tea ceremony, Japanese archery, lacquer ware, and other activities are available, if you want.
Recommended sights are as follows.
< Life of Samurai >
☆Tsurugajo Castle
Thiis is the only castle in Japan with beautiful red tiles, the symbol of Aizu.
You can taste traditional Japanese tea in the tea ceremony room.
☆ Aizu Traditional Samurai Residences.
Take a look into highly-ranked Aizu samurais' daily life.
☆ Oyakuen
You can enjoy casual matcha green tea while viewing the beautiful Japanese garden.
It is also famous for its medicinal herb garden, which offers herbal teas good for your health.
☆Nishinkan
Samurai School
The most high level school in the Edo period.
You can experience Kyudo (Japanese archery).
*It is a little far, so we will adjust the time to go there.
☆Ouchijyuku
Old inn town
Thatched-roof houses line the street.
*It is a little far, so we will adjust the time to go there.
< Tragic History >
☆ The Grave of the Byakkotai, young samurai warriors
Aizu was last battleground in the end of the samurai period.
See the place where the young samurai laid their souls to rest.
< Unique Architecture >
☆ Sazae-Do
World famous Buddhist temple which has worldwide rare structure, two spiral ramps.
It was showcased in Michelin Green Guide
< Local Cuisine and World Class Sake >
☆ Traditoinal Japanese restaurants and Japanese sake breweries
Aizu is also no stranger to delicious food and drink.
Try some of the local dishes and visit sake breweries , home to some of the world's best sake!
< Traditional Art and Crafts >
☆ Nanokamachi Street
You can enjoy traditional folk arts and crafts on the retro street.
and find great souvenirs.
guide fee,
transportation fee , lunch, entrance fee
I would like 7 days notice
In Aizu, there are many different sightseeing spots, so, I will customize tours based on your preference.
You can also taste sake at the sake brewery and try your hand at painting lacquer ware at shops.
Two-days tour, which would allow you to visit almost all of the sights, is available, too.
Please feel free to give me messages and ask me any questions.
※Tokyo ⇔Aizuwakamatsu
TokyoーKoriyama: JR Bullet train 1.15 h
KoriyamaーAizuwakamatsu: JR Banetsu west line 1h
TokyoーKoriyama: JR Bullet train 1.15 h
KoriyamaーAizuwakamatsu: JR Banetsu west line 1h
We booked Füll Day Tour with Nobuko. In advance of our trip she made sure that we get everything we wanted. Nobuko was very knowledgable. She was well prepared and flexible. She made sure although I am a little complicated when it comes to eating, that we find a Restaurant where I could eat. We had an amazing and wonderful time with Nobuko.
Dear Ms. Maike , Thank you very much for your heartwarming message. I am really happy that you and your family are very interested in the history of Aizu , listened to my explanation and actively tried experiencing the culture of Aizu, including its food. You were also kind enough to invite me for dinner, and I learned a lot from the various conversations I had with you. I am really appreciate that .I hope you will come to Japan again! Nobuko
Nobuko was a great guide who I would highly recommend. She provided lots of information and tried to very hard to include things of interest to our family of 5 adults.
Dear Kathryn. Thank you so much for your kind review. I am very happy that you and your family are interested in not only the so-called "Golden Route" but also in various aspects of Japanese history and culture, and that you came to Aizu! There are still many wonderful attractions to see and do in the north-eastern part of Japan, so, I hope you will visit Japan in the near future again
Nobuko is a seasoned professional guide with true local knowledge of Aizu Wakamatsu. She is very organized and flexible with itinerary planning, patient, enthusiastic, and was sincerely invested in our satisfaction. You will a have an enjoyable tour if you put in the time to discuss your must do’s vs nice to do’s, preferences for kinds of experiences, physical activity range, food and shopping types. If our future travel takes us into her areas, we would not hesitate to work with Nobuko again. Highly recommend her guide service!!
Dear Mr. Watanabe. Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I am very happy that you and your family enjoyed the history, culture and food of Aizu. I am so appreciated your family's kindness during the tour. I hope you will visit Japan again in the near future! Nobuko
Nobuko is a seasoned professional guide with true local knowledge of Fukushima City. She is very organized and flexible with itinerary planning, patient, enthusiastic, and was sincerely invested in our satisfaction. You will a have an enjoyable tour if you put in the time to discuss your must do’s vs nice to do’s, preferences for kinds of experiences, physical activity range, food and shopping types. If our future travel takes us into her areas, we would not hesitate to work with Nobuko again. Highly recommend her guide service!!
Dear Mr. Watanabe. Thank you very much for your heartwarming review. We have been in close contact to make a plan regarding the Fukushima City tour, so, I am very happy if I was able to meet your expectations. I also appreciate your wonderful souvenirs. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip! Nobuko