A Guide to Nanukamachi St. in Fukushima Pref. to Experience Local Things such as Crafts, Dishes, Sweets and Sake

Have you ever been to “Nanukamachi Street (七日町通り), one of the most popular sightseeing spots leading Aizuwakamatsu city in Fukushima Prefecture? Between the 1600s and 1800s, there were many wholesale houses and inns, restaurants and so on, and it had flourished as the western gateway of the castle town. In addition, until the mid-1950s, it was said to be the busiest town in Aizuwakamatsu city. Although having got deserted, this town currently has warehouses and western-style buildings with a long history and make us feel a nostalgic atmosphere. Then, this time, we’d like to suggest our recommended walking route to enjoy various local things such as crafts and dishes, Japanese sweets and local sake to your heart’s content.

All spots are within 10 minutes’ walking distance from JR Nanukamachi Station which is one station away from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station on the Tadami Line.

The classical western-style building catches your eyes －”SHIROKIYA LACQUERWARE” with over 1,000 types of lacquerware

“SHIROKIYA LACQUERWARE (白木屋漆器店)” is a long-established shop that has produced wooden lacquerware for more than 300 years. This classical western-style building retains the same dignity and elegance since its building of 1914 and is designated as Aizuwakamatsu city’s Historical landscape building. Stepping into here, you can see over 1,000 types of lacquerware such as accessories like brooches and bracelets, stationery like pencil cases and classic vessels used for sunny days or seasonal events. Depending on items, they write letters and family crests, initials and so on. Besides, don’t miss checking the museum inside the building to learn the history of Aizu lacquer!

Opening Hours	9:30AM – 5:30PM (Until 6:00PM on Sunday and Public Holidays)
Address	1-2-10 Oomachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 10-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station
URL	https://www.shirokiyashikkiten.com/english/index.html

Feel simple and mild traditional Aizuwakamatsu’s taste －”Mitsutaya” offering grilled konjac with miso sauce

Reference from AIZU KANKO NAVI “Mitsutaya”

“Mitsutaya (満田屋)” with history since 1834 is a miso specialty shop. Used to be a miso warehouse, this building is in harmony with the scenery of Nanukamachi St. When you enter here, a very Japanese ambiance surrounds you and the savory flavor of miso makes you hungry. Here, you can not only get Aizu’s healthy food products including their handmade matured miso, Japanese pickles and rapeseed oil but also try one of the local dishes ‘Miso Dengaku (Konjac with Miso Sauce).’ Aizu’s Miso Dengaku
features miso sauce which is made by mixing red miso and sugar, various condiments and something like that. Grilled over charcoal in Irori (fireplace open hearth), Miso Dengaku has a rich flavor and stimulates your appetite. We recommend you order ‘Miso Dengaku Course’ that lets you enjoy various ingredients with 4 kinds of miso sauce.

Opening Hours	Shop 10:00AM – 5:00PM／Miso Dengaku 10:30AM – 4:30PM
Address	1-1-25 Oomachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 10-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station
URL	https://www.mitsutaya.jp/

The pattern changes every time you cut it! －”Nagatoya Nanukamachi Shop” whose photogenic sweet bean jelly is getting attentions

Reference from 栄養士そっち〜の簡単美味しい♡サイクル献立 “Fly Me to The Moon 　羊羹です。“

After filling your stomach, why not head to “Nagatoya Nanukamachi Shop (本家長門屋 七日町店)” which is a historical Aizu’ confectionery founded in 1848? You should buy ‘Fly Me to The Moon Yokan Fantasia (羊羹ファンタジア)’ becoming a hot topic on Instagram. 2 types of Yokan (jelly with champagne-like and lemon-like flavor) are sandwiched by sweet bean jelly, and cranberries and walnuts, raisins and so on are topped on it. Apparently, ‘Fly Me to The Moon’ included in its name is came from the title of the old jazz music that Frank Sinatra sang. Its world is expressed with Yokan. When you cut it with a knife, a picture-like pattern with a bird flying towards the moon appears. In addition, it’s also attractive that the pattern changes every time you cut it. It goes well with black tea and wine as well as Japanese tea.

Opening Hours	9:30AM – 5:30PM (9:30AM – 5:00PM during winter)
Address	3-30 Nanukamachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 3-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station
URL	https://nagatoya.net/?mode=f7

Try local sake in the sake warehouse with a quaint atmosphere －”Suehiro Sake Brewery Kaeigura” telling us about Japanese sake

Before finishing strolling Nanukamachi Street, let’s stop by at “Suehiro Sake Brewery Kaeigura (末廣酒造 嘉永蔵)” founded in 1850. Its appearance looks as if it’s telling us the history of Suehiro. Here, you can take a part in Sake Brewery visit tour for free and learn how to make Japanese sake while feeling an old but good atmosphere. It’s held several times from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day. The staff explains how to make sake, some tools and a story related to Hideyo Noguchi so that you can understand it easily. After all the explanation, the time to try local sake is waiting for you. By the way, at ‘Kissa Kyo (Cafe Kyo, 喫茶杏)’ adjoining to the sake warehouse, you can enjoy coffee brewed with water used for making sake, chiffon cake made from sake and so on.

Opening Hours	Kaeigura Warehouse 10:00AM – 4:00PM Coffee Kyo 10:00AM – 4:00PM Sake Brewery Tour 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM, 4:00PM (on only Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays) *Limited to the first 50 visitors.
Address	12-38 Nisshin-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 10-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station
URL	https://www.sake-suehiro.jp/top.html