Nanukamachi-dori Street and Hideyo Noguchi Seishun Street are two retro sightseeing streets in Aizu Wakamatsu City. The streets are lined with buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa eras, and visitors can experience the atmosphere as if they were transported back in time. The two streets are connected at right angles, and the entire route takes about 20 minutes (1.2 km).
As the western entrance to the castle town, Nanukamachi-dori Street flourished as the busiest street in Aizu. It got its name from a market held on the seventh day of every month. The 800-meter street that connects JR Nanukamachi Station to Noguchi Hideyo Seishun Street is lined with old warehouses, Western-style buildings in a Taisho-roman style, and wooden merchant houses. Many of the buildings have been transformed into chic cafes and souvenir shops, and beautiful traditional crafts like painted candles, Aizu cotton, and Aizu lacquerware are also worth seeing.
Turn right at the Omachi-yotsukado corner from Nanukamachi-dori Street, which leads to Noguchi Hideyo Seishun Street. A little further south on the street is the "Former Kaiyo Hospital," which is now the Noguchi Hideyo Seishunkan, where Hideyo Noguchi underwent surgery for burns on his hands as a child. Hideyo Noguchi, who later became a great doctor, got his start here.
Highlights
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This is a picture-perfect retro street for strolling around in kimonos.
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Visitors can find Aizu-style souvenirs such as Aizu lacquerware and Aizu painted candles.
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Enjoy meals or tea at cafes in traditional houses.
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Many Shinsengumi-related sites can be found on Nanukamachi-dori Street, including the “Aizu Shinsengumi Memorial Hall,” “Amidadera Temple,” where Hajime Saito is buried, and the ruins of Shimizuya Ryokan.
