What to know
Aizu-Wakamatsu (会津若松) is a castle town in inland Fukushima Prefecture, celebrated for its award-winning sake and samurai heritage. During the final years of Japan's feudal era, the Aizu clan stayed loyal to the shogun even after the Meiji Restoration, and opposed the new government in the Boshin War of 1868, which was partly fought in Aizu.
Surrounded by mountains, Aizu-Wakamatsu is dominated by Mount Bandai, a regional icon. The area offers excellent hiking, skiing, and scenic beauty.
Activities and attractions
OuchijukuFormer post town along a trade route
Tsuruga CastleModern reconstruction of the original castle
Aizu BukeyashikiLarge, reconstructed samurai mansion
Higashiyama OnsenHot spring resort in the city outskirts
Suehiro Sake BreweryOne of Aizu’s most famous sake breweries
IimoriyamaSite of suicide by a group of young soldiers
Fukushima Prefectural MuseumPrefectural museum about local history
Oyakuen GardenTraditional Japanese landscape garden
Hideyo Noguchi Memorial HallAbout famous medical researcher Noguchi Hideyo
Enzoji TempleBirthplace of the akabeko red cow souvenir