How to Fully Relish a Historical City “Aizuwakamatsu” with Tourist Loop Bus while Experiencing Japanese Winter

In Aizuwakamatsu, the economic and cultural center of Aizu area, which has prospered as one of the strategic points in Tohoku region since the 15th century when provincial wars were happening throughout Japan, you can find sites and places where you can feel its rich history. In this issue, let us take you on a one-day excursion to relish the city of history as if you time-travel to the good old days. Moreover, you’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery only this time of the year can offer. To get to every spot, Haikara-san (ハイカラさん) and Akabe (あかべぇ) tourist loop buses are convenient. A 600 yen 1-day pass is good both for Haihara-san and Akabe.

Haikara-san and Akabe tourist loop buses operated every 30 minutes will take you to every spot in this issue from Aizuwakamatsu Eki (H1/A1) Bus stop which is a 4-minute walk from Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel.

Savor aged Sake and Sake sweets at an 1850 established brewery, “Suehiro Sake Brewery Kaeigura”

At “Suehiro Sake Brewery Kaeigura” (末廣酒造嘉永蔵), the premises of Suehiro Sake Brewery that has been producing Sake in Aizuwakamatsu, there is a café ‘Anzu’ ran inside the tasteful building built for brewing in 1892, where you can enjoy Sake and sweets that are so unique to a café owned by a brewery. Savor the finest coffee extracted with the water which is also used for brewing Sake, together with the chiffon cake or the jelly both of which are made with its Daiginjo (大吟醸, Sake brewed only from core of rice and fermented at a low temperature). If you want to fully take the advantage of your visit to this place, try its 30-year aged Sake colored in amber. Also, for those who wish to learn more about Sake brewing before tasting 6 to 10 kinds of Sake at its tasting bar, a free tour is available.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 6:00PM / Closed on Wednesdays *Opens in case a national holiday is on Wednesday
Address	12-38 Nisshinmachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 1-minute walk from Yamatomachi (H8) on Haikara-san buses
URL	https://fukushima.travel/destination/suehiro-sake-brewery-kaeigura/48

Explore rooms of samurai residence available for a limited time at “Aizu Bukeyashiki”

When in a city with rich history, why don’t you visit a historic open-air museum “Aizu Bukeyashiki” (会津武家屋敷, samurai residence) allowing you to time-travel to the end of the Edo era (1603 – 1868)? Not only the rebuilt residence of Tanomo Saigo (西郷頼母, 1830 – 1903), the chief retainer of the great Aizu Han (藩, Han is the estate of a daimyo in the Edo era), historical buildings and documents exhibited make you feel the life of the Edo era. Needless to say, the 925 m2 residence rebuilt on the 793 m2 site and life furnishings placed in 38 rooms are the highlights of this historical museum. It is allowed to browse the rooms only during winter. The vast site covered by innocent snow upgrades the beauty of the site and it is truly recommended to appreciate the scenery only the winter can offer.

Opening Hours	8:30AM – 5:00PM (April to Nobember) / 9:00AM – 4:30PM (December to March) *Candle Festival at Aizu Bukeyashiki 2022 has been canceled
Admission	850 yen
Address	1 Higashiyamamachi Ishiyamain-nai, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	In front of Aizu Bukeyashiki-mae (H24/H30/A11/A17) Bus stop on Haikara-san or Akabe buses
URL	https://fukushima.travel/destination/aizu-bukeyashiki-samurai-residence/55

A legendary Onsen ”Shousuke no Yado Takinoyu” allowing you to hot spring bathing while taking in the magnificent scenery of waterfall

Though it is so much fun to enjoy the scenery of the world covered in a blanket of snow, it also gets you freezing cold, does it? That is why your next destination should be Higashiyama Onsen discovered by a legendary monk Gyoki Shonin (行基上人, 668 – 749) at around Fushimagataki Falls (伏見ヶ滝) about 1300 years ago, and “Shousuke no Yado Takinoyu” (庄助の宿瀧の湯) allows you to enjoy drop-in hot spring bathing. Its open-air bath with lighting-ups facing a waterfall, round bath using a huge Sake brewing kiln gifted by a famous Sake brewery Hanaharu (花春酒造), and inner bath using tourmaline stones and cypress from Aomori will make you unwind. The beautiful view of the waterfall dusted with snow will make your hot spring bathing a special experience.

Opening Hours	5:30AM – 0:30AM
Drop-in bathing	1200 yen (incl. a small towel)
Address	108 Higashiyamaonsen, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 1-minute walk from Higashiyama Onsen Iriguchi (H26/A13) Bus stop on Haikara-san or Akabe buses
URL	https://hpdsp.jp/shousuke/en/