Iwaki Marine Tower | Review by 黃國棟

When visiting Fukushima, you can’t miss Ouchi-juku, a historic old village. Walking among the neatly lined-up thatched-roof houses feels like traveling back in time to the Edo period. Without the hustle and bustle of the city, the old street has a peaceful, simple atmosphere. Strolling through it slowly is truly relaxing.

Looking down from above, you can see the thatched roofs lined up along the entire street. The scenery looks like an old Japanese painting, and every photo has a distinctive charm. Of course, when visiting Ouchi-juku, you should also try its unique Takato soba! Eating soba with a whole green onion instead of chopsticks was a novel and fun experience for me, and the soba was also quite delicious. It’s a local specialty well worth trying while you’re here.

As you stroll along the old street and look at the traditional buildings that have been preserved to this day, you can also sense the simple, warm way of life of the local residents. This is more than just a tourist attraction—it feels like a chance to slow down and get away from the bustle of the city.

If you enjoy traditional Japanese streetscapes and nostalgic atmospheres, be sure to include Ouchi-juku in your Fukushima itinerary and experience the charm of this old village for yourself.

For people in Fukushima, Iizaka Onsen is like a hot spring town right in their backyard, and it is also one of Japan’s “Three Famous Hot Springs of Oshu.” It takes about 20 minutes to get there from JR Fukushima Station on the Iizaka Line, and trains run fairly frequently, so you can easily take a short hot spring trip without much advance planning.

Although it is a well-known hot spring resort town, it still has many charming old buildings. As you stroll along the hillsides and narrow alleys, you’ll occasionally come across traditional inns and historic streetscapes. It isn’t too crowded or noisy, which gives it a more relaxed, nostalgic feel. I don’t think you necessarily need to plan a soak at Iizaka Onsen. Just walking around and exploring the town is enough to experience the charm of a Fukushima hot spring town.

From the top of the mountain, you can look out over the castle town of Aizuwakamatsu. This sacred mountain, steeped in Aizu history, is also a must-visit spot for many travelers coming to Aizu.

This time, I came to Iimoriyama especially early in the morning. The surrounding shops hadn’t opened yet, and there were hardly any tourists on the streets, making the entire mountain especially quiet. Without the bustling crowds, I could better appreciate Iimoriyama’s peaceful and solemn atmosphere.

Standing on the mountain and looking out over the streets of Aizuwakamatsu, the view was very open and expansive. With the fresh morning air, it felt especially pleasant to walk slowly and take everything in. The benefit of getting up early to visit Iimoriyama is that you can enjoy it with almost no other tourists around!

If you’re planning a day trip to Aizuwakamatsu, I highly recommend coming early. You can avoid the crowds and experience this historic mountain at a more leisurely pace.