Fukushima Hidden Gems
Three regions in one — a warm Pacific coast, a castle town in the inland basin, and highland lakes and forests in the west.
5 spots
Climate & Best Season
Varies sharply by region: mild on the coast, snowy in Aizu. Spring blossoms and October foliage are the highlights.
Famous For (Food)
- Kitakata ramen
- Sake (repeat national gold medallist)
- Ika-ninjin
- Peaches
Signature Sights
- Tsuruga Castle
- Ouchi-juku thatched post town
- Lake Inawashiro
- Goshiki-numa ponds
Tsuruga Castle — Red-Tiled Fortress of the Samurai Aizu Clan
Tsuruga Castle is the five-story white keep where the Aizu clan made their last stand in 1868, holding out for a month w…
Higashiyama Onsen — Samurai Retreat Hot Spring Town
Higashiyama Onsen (東山温泉) is a historic hot spring town nestled in a mountain valley 5km east of Aizu-Wakamatsu, where st…
Sazae-do Temple — Unique Double-Helix Architectural Wonder
Sazae-dō (さざえ堂) is an extraordinary hexagonal wooden temple built in 1796, featuring a double-helix interior structure w…
Aizu Sake Breweries — Premium Sake Region & Tasting Tours
Aizu region is one of Japan's premier sake-producing areas, with 30+ active breweries crafting premium sake using local…
Byakkotai Memorial — Tragic Teenage Samurai & Iimoriyama Hill
The Byakkotai Memorial (飯盛山白虎隊記念館) commemorates 20 teenage samurai (ages 16–17) from the Aizu clan's Byakkotai (白虎隊, 'Wh…