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Spot-Aizu
TSURUGA CASTLE
About 630 years ago this magnificent castle, first known as East Kurokawa Castle, was built by Naomori Ashina as a military center for the region. After years of clan wars and after enduring scars from a month-long battle during the Boshin War, it was demolished in 1874. It was rebuilt in 1965 and restoration continued through 2001 using construction practices of the Edo Period. Inside, it houses a museum which gives the feeling of Aizu’s history. that In 2011 the unique red-tiled roof and other refurbishing were completed and the feeling and history of the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate remain for everyone to see.
| Location | Aizuwakamatsu City, Oite-machi 1-1 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Entrance to the castle tower from 8:30-17:00 with last admission 16:30 |
| Closed | Open Daily. |
| Admission fee | The Tower only: Adults(high school and older) 400 yen Elementary and junior high school students 150 yen Both Tea House AND Castle Tower Adults 500 yen Elementary and junior high school 150 yen |
| Tel | 0242-27-4005 (Aizu Wakamatsu Tourist Office) |
| HP | http://www.tsurugajo.com |
OYAKUEN PARK
A 15 min. walk east from Tsuruga Castle, Oyakuen is an ideal place to enjoy the surrounding landscape with its enchanting pond and well-designed garden of medicinal herbs. It is said that during the Muromachi Era, Ashina Morihisa built a country villa here where a fountain gushed out of the rock and water with mysterious healing power flowed. In 1932 the spot was designated a national special place of scenic beauty.
| Location | Aizu Wakamatsu City, Hanaharu-machi 8-1 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30-17:00 daily. Final admission is at 16:30 |
| Closed | Open Daily. |
| Admission fee | Adults 310 yen High school students 260 yen Elementary and junior high school 150 yen Groups: Adults 260 yen High school students 210 yen Elementary and junior highschool students 100 yen |
| Tel | 0242-27-2472 |
| HP | http://www.tsurugajo.com/oyakuen/ |
AIZU SAMURAI RESIDENCE
The samurai residence was the living center for the retainers of an Edo era clan and is preserved as an important cultural asset. This interesting old camp was built in the Edo style with a tea-ceremony house, old Nakahata Jinya and other buildings. The group of houses is now an outdoor museum. Built half in Japanese style and half European, the museum has wax figures showing how the rooms are used, and houses many historical records, pictures of Buddha and Blue Dragon Museum. Visitors can shop for traditional crafts and foods. They can also have a hands-on experience painting one of the akabeko or self-righting Daruma figures. In addition there is Saigo Tanomo’s house to explore and where for 300 yen they will receive a quiz card. After filling it out they will be presented with a nice memento.
| Location | Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Higashiyama–machi, Ishiyamainnai 1 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30-17:00 (April-November) 9:00-4:30 (December-March) |
| Closed | Open daily |
| Admission fee | Adults 850 yen Junior and senior high school 550 yen Elementary school 450 yen |
| Tel | 0242-28-2525 |
| HP | http://www.bukeyashiki.com |
MOUNT IIMORI
During the Boshin civil war (1869) a group of young people, 16 or 17-years old, joined the Byakkotai (White Tiger) reserve unit and formed #2 Corps. Cut off from their unit after the Battle of Tonoguchihara, they left the battlefield and made a retreat over a mountain pass, passing through the Tonoguchi cave gate in Mt. Iimori to get to Tsuruga Castle. The castle was hidden in black smoke and they feared all was lost, so they decided to follow their master to the grave, and all twenty members took their own lives, save one survivor, Iinuma Sadakichi, who lived to pass this story into history. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, memorial services are still held to recall the past, and comfort the spirit with the sword dance.
| Location | Aizuwakamatsu-City, Iki-machi, Yahata |
|---|---|
| Hours | |
| Closed | |
| Admission fee | |
| Tel | |
| HP |
BYAKKOTAI MEMORIAL HALL
In 1956, the late Aizu lawyer, Hayakawa Kiyoji, gave his entire fortune to founding this building for the Boshin War archives telling posterity about the tragedy of the Byakkotai. In addition to those relating directly to the Byakkotai, other various war-related items, photos and records and writings are on display here, as well as a daiorama. There are also the annals of Aizu clans and public figures like feudal lord Katamori Matsudaira, Gombe Kayano, Tanomo Saigo, Teijiro Akizuki. And then there’s Joshi army’s Takeko Nakano, Yaeko Niijima (Yamamoto), and Shinsen-gumi group’s Isami Kondo, Kai Shimada, and also the west army’s military governors, Tomosada Iwakura, and Taisuke Itagaki. This museum is a must for history buffs.
| Location | Aizuwakamatsu-City, Iki-machi, Yahata Aza Bentenshita 33 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:00-17:00 (April-November) 9:00-16:00 (December-March) |
| Closed | Open Daily |
| Admission fee | Adults 400 yen High school students 300 yen Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen |
| Tel | 0242-24-9170 |
| HP | http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~byakko/ |
OUCHIJUKU THATCHED VILLAGE
During the Edo period it was important to establish a station linking roads supporting equestrian traffic.
In first, second and eighth year of their position, feudal lords were required to spend time in the capitol, Edo, passing through this area on the way. Thousands of bales of rice were transported through here. Now this perfectly preserved village of traditional buildings has become a very popular tourist spot. Here a member of a famous Aizu family, Hoshina Masayuki brought the famous custom of eating grated daikon eaten with “Takato Soba” and using scallions for chopsticks.
| Location | Aizu-gun, Shimogo-machi, Oaza Ouchiazayamamoto |
|---|---|
| Hours | |
| Closed | |
| Admission fee | |
| Tel | 0241-68-3611 |
| HP | http://ouchi-juku.com |
TO NO HETSURI
Tonohetsuri is a National natural monument in Okawa Hatori Prefectural Park, and it can surely vie for number-one pick of picturesque scenery on the Okawa line. Millions of years of weathering and erosion have fashioned this exquisite landscape. In autumn, the formation of white cliffs is painted with colors like a scroll painting.
| Location | Fukushima-ken, Minami Aizu-gun, Shimogo-machi |
|---|---|
| Hours | |
| Closed | |
| Admission fee | |
| Tel | 0241-69-1144 |
| HP | http://www.town.shimogo.fukushima.jp/kanko/ |
ASHINOMAKI HOT SPRING
Located in the mountains south of Aizuwakamatsu, Ashinomaki Onsen lies in a verdant natural setting. After sightseeing and the bustle of Aizu, we can drive just 25 minutes south and shake off our travel fatigue. Upon entering the town, we are welcomed by a fountain (Deiai No Yutaki) and can relax immediately at Kodakara-no-yu, a special bath said to help women wanting to bear children, footbath Ashi Poppo, and a small path through the yew trees. Ashinomaki Onsen is waiting for you to enjoy, as it has people for more than a thousand years since it first appeared like a phantom in the wild. Please take time to enjoy.
| Location | Aizuwakamatsu City, Oto-machi, Ashinomaki 1122 |
|---|---|
| Hours | |
| Closed | |
| Admission fee | |
| Tel | 0242-92-2336 Ashinomaki Tourist Office |
| HP | http://www.aizu-ashinomaki.jp |
NOGUCHI HIDEYO MEMORIAL HALL
Dr. Hideo Noguchi died in West Africa while diligently doing a his important work. Some of those who attended the memorial service in Tokyo talked of establishing a memorial association for Noguchi, and this dream became realized. The first project was to preserve his house, and in 1938 this plan was supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. On the anniversary of his death the following year, the Memorial Hall was opened.
| Location | Fukushima–ken,Yama-gun, Inawashiro-mach, Owaza Mitsua Aza Maeda 81 |
|---|---|
| Hours | April-Oct. 8:30-17:00(last admission 16:45) Nov.-March 9:00-16:15(last admission at 16:00) |
| Closed | Open daily except Dec. 29-Jan 3 |
| Admission fee | Adults (over 15 years old) 500 yen Children Elementary and junior high school 200 yen Groups: Adult(over 15 years old) 400 yen Children Elementary and junior high school 150 yen University and high school field trips 300 yen Elementary and junior high school field trips 150 yen |
| Tel | 0242-65-2319 |
| HP | http://www.noguchihideyo.or.jp |
WORLD GLASSWARE HALL
Over 25,000 items of handmade glassware gathered from all over the world and also made on-site are all on display here at the same time. The awesome size of the collection produces a lovely, mysterious and fantastic space. At one site near Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro, the museum features its collection as well as a relaxing microbrewery restaurant where you can enjoy a Gold Prize winner of the International Beer Awards; and a shop selling local confections. The facility has loads of things to enjoy.
| Location | Fukushima–ken, Yama-gun, Inawashiro-machi Oaza, Mitsua Aza, Murahigashi 85 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Weekdays 10:00-17:00 Weekends and holidays 9:00- 18:00 |
| Closed | Open daily |
| Admission fee | Free admission |
| Tel | 0120-72-7472 |
| HP | http://www.world-glassware.com |
LAKE INAWASHIRO
Although there is no ocean in the Aizu Plain, at Lake Inawashiro we can enjoy nature with Mt. Bandai standing tall right before our eyes.
| Location | Aizuwakamatsu City, Minato-machi, Oaza, Shizukata |
|---|---|
| Hours | |
| Closed | |
| Admission fee | |
| Tel | Minato-machi Tourist Office 0242-93-2117 |
| HP | http://www.bandaisan.or.jp |
