Ouchi-juku

The townscape of Ouchi-juku is surrounded by mountains and lined with thatched-roof houses on both sides. The scenery, which strongly retains the atmosphere of an Edo period post town, gives the sensation of having slipped back in time. Experience the feeling of Edo period travelers on the "Old Folk House Street," which is about 500 meters long. There are various shops on both sides of the street, so it's recommended to enjoy gourmet food and souvenir shopping while feeling the atmosphere of the time.

At the back of Ouchi-juku, there is an observatory where you can capture the perfect shot of the townscape. From this spot, you can overlook a 500-meter-long straight road and thatched-roof houses. There is always a line of people waiting to take photos here. Especially in autumn and winter, the scenery of the town covered in red leaves or snow creates a fantastic atmosphere and is very popular. On top of the hill, there is a temple called Koyasu Kannon, so why not visit it after enjoying the stunning view?

The Ouchi-juku Machinami Exhibition Hall is located almost in the center of Ouchi-juku. It's a restored building that was once the Ouchi-juku Honjin, a lodging used by successive lords, including the first lord of the Aizu domain, Masayuki Hoshina, during their travels to and from Edo. Today, it's used as an exhibition hall, displaying everyday items and materials from that time period. The "Kamidan-no-ma" room and "Hinoki-buro" bath, where the lords rested, have also been recreated, providing a glimpse into the romantic history of the area. Experience a lifestyle that's not often seen in modern times.

If you want to fully enjoy Ouchi-juku, you can't miss the summer and winter festivals. In summer, the Ouchi-juku Hanka Festival is held, which is a festival of Takakura Shrine. The local residents dress in traditional costumes and solemnly parade through the streets. In addition, the winter Ouchi-juku Snow Festival is a big event. Men in traditional undergarments who have received the sacred fire travel through the village, lighting snow lanterns along the way. Fireworks also light up the winter sky, adding color to the retro townscape. This scene will surely become an unforgettable memory.

When it comes to Ouchi-juku, "Takato soba" is super famous. One of the specialties of Ouchi-juku is slurping soba with a "single leek" instead of chopsticks. The broth, which is a mixture of grated radish and secret soy sauce, has a refreshing taste. The soba is made from local flour and delicious well water, making it easy to swallow. The leek used as a substitute for chopsticks can also be chewed as a condiment, allowing you to enjoy a change in flavor!

At Ouchi-juku, there are scattered restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine. One specialty of Minamiaizu is "shingorou," which is rice skewered on bamboo and coated with 10-year-old miso, then grilled over charcoal. You can also enjoy the texture of the rice grains. In addition, there are many other delicious foods such as kin-tsuba, ice cream mochi, and tempura manju. The portion sizes are just right, so be sure to try them while taking a stroll.

Takakura Shrine was built at the end of the Heian period. Along the street of Ouchi-juku, there is a large torii gate leading to the main hall. It is famous for enshrining Prince In'no of Takakura, who rebelled against Taira no Kiyomori. After passing through the particularly large torii gate in Ouchi-juku, it takes about 7-8 minutes to reach the main hall. Behind the main hall, there is a sacred tree over 50 meters tall, creating a very solemn atmosphere. The giant cedar tree, which is about 800 years old and over 50 meters tall, has an overwhelming presence that exceeds one's imagination.