Getting to Aizu

By shinkansen from Tokyo
  • 3 h
  • ¥9,500
Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

Take a Yamabiko train along the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Koriyama Station and transfer to a regular train on the JR Banetsu-sai Line. Get off at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. The entire trip takes approximately three hours, costs about 9500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By highway bus from Tokyo
  • 4.5 h
  • ¥5,000

Multiple daytime and overnight buses are operated between Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku bus terminal) and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. The one way trip takes 4.5 hours (7 hours by overnight bus) and costs 5000 yen one way. A limited number of discounted one way tickets are available if purchased at least one day in advance.

By train from Nikko
  • 3 h
  • ¥5,000

Nikko and Aizu-Wakamatsu are connected with each other by a rural train line that is operated by Tobu Railway, Yagan Railway and Aizu Railway. With good connections, the one way ride takes about three hours, costs around 5000 yen and requires 2-3 transfers of trains along the way, typically at Shimo-Imaichi, Kinugawa Onsen and/or Aizu-Tajima. It is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

Aizu's main railway station is Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, served by JR and the Aizu Railway. The city's attractions are not located within walking distance of the station and are distributed across the city center, with many concentrated in and around Tsuruga Castle Park.

The easiest way for tourists to get around are the Aizu Loop Buses which connect Aizu-Wakamatsu Station with all of the city's sites of interest. Buses running in the counter-clockwise direction are called Haikarasan and depart every 30 minutes, while buses running in the opposite direction are called Akabe and operate once per hour. The fare is 210 yen per ride or 600 yen for a day pass for unlimited rides on one calendar day.

Aizu has also a network of regular city buses, although most tourists will not need to use them, as the loop buses are easier to use. Fares for regular buses are dependent on distance traveled.

Hotels around Aizu

Top rated in Aizu
Budget:
    • Tagoto
      Mid-range
      Tagoto features a hot public bath, Japanese-style and Western rooms and Japanese cuisine, a 5-minute drive from Aizu Wakamatsu Station. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout the propert and free parking is on-site. Japanese-style rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor and traditional futon bedding, while Western rooms come with beds and an en suite bathroom. All rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with an LCD TV and a fridge. The restaurant offers local specialities, including the regionfs signature meppameshi rice dish and an Aizu Kaiseki multi-course dinner. Tagoto is a 7-minute drive from Tsuruga Castle and a 10-minute drive from Mount Iimori. The Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum is a 30-minute drive.
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    • Ookawaso
      Mid-range
      Featuring free WiFi and a restaurant, Okawaso offers accommodation in Aizuwakamatsu, 13 km from Aizu Higashiyama Onsen. Each room at this ryokan is air conditioned and comes with a TV. The rooms include a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers and a hairdryer. You will find free shuttle service at the property. Guests can enjoy seasonal Japanese and Western-style buffet spread breakfast and dinner. Mount Iimori is 16 km from Okawaso, while Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 14 km from the property.
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    • Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki
      Mid-range
      3.7 km from Mount Iimori in Aizuwakamatsu, Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki provides accommodation with access to a hot spring bath, public bath and open-air bath. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a lift and luggage storage for guests. The ryokan features some units with mountain views, and each unit includes a private bathroom. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 4.9 km from the ryokan, while Kitakata Station is 25 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 73 km away.
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    • Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki
      Mid-range
      Situated in Aizuwakamatsu, 3.8 km from Mount Iimori, Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki provides accommodation with a hot spring bath, a public bath and an open-air bath. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation features a lift, full-day security and luggage storage for guests. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests are welcome to unwind in the on-site lounge, while a minimarket is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. You can play table tennis at this 3-star ryokan. An indoor play area is also available for guests at the ryokan. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 5.1 km from Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki, while Kitakata Station is 26 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 74 km away.
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    • Marumine Kanko Hotel
      Luxury
      Located in Ashinomaki Onsen, kJ̏h쉹 provides air-conditioned rooms with private open-air hot spring bath. The property is situated 16 km from central Aizuwakamatsu and Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 14 km from kJ̏h쉹. Ouchijuku, featuring traditional buildings is 14 km from the property. The ryokan features a public hot spring bath, open-air hot spring bath and sauna. Free shuttle service to Ashinomaki Station is available. Luggage storage is available for guest's convenience. The rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. kJ̏h쉹 offers certain units that feature a balcony, and every room comes with an electric kettle. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Certain rooms feature Simmons mattresses. A traditional kaiseki (multi-course) dinner is served at the dining area. A buffet breakfast or Japanese-style breakfast is served each morning at the property.
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    • Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu
      Luxury
      Featuring an open-air bath and views of mountain, Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu is a ryokan situated in a historic building in Aizuwakamatsu, 3.4 km from Mount Iimori. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath, spa facilities, family-friendly restaurant and free WiFi. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. There is a seating and a dining area in all units. At the ryokan, each unit comes with bed linen and towels. A minimarket is available at the ryokan. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. For guests with children, the ryokan provides a baby safety gate and a children's playground. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 4.6 km from Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu, while Kitakata Station is 25 km away. Fukushima Airport is 73 km from the property.
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    • Onyado Toho
      Luxury
      Set in Aizuwakamatsu, 500 metres from Aizu Higashiyama Onsen, Onyado Toho features free WiFi access and free private parking. Free shuttle service is available from Aizuwakamatsu Station to the hotel on a first-come, first-served basis. You will find a kettle in the room. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. You will find shops at the property. Mount Iimori is 2.4 km from Onyado Toho, while Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 2.6 km away.
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    • Hotel Route-Inn Aizuwakamatsu
      Mid-range
      Only a 5-minute drive from JR Aizuwakamatsu Train Station, Hotel Route-Inn Aizuwakamatsu features simple modern accommodations and a free-breakfast for all guests. Free wired internet is available in all rooms and you can refresh in the spacious public baths. Contemporary rooms are furnished with amenities from a flat-screen TV and a fridge, to nightwear and toiletries. An air humidifier and an extra pillow are available on request. A coin-operated launderette is on-site. Guests can relax in the massage chairs and use the free-use computers. The free breakfast buffet is available from 06:45-09:00 at the dining area. Hana-Hana-Tei serves Japanese favourites and sake from 18:00-22:00 (last order at 21:30, closed Sundays). Aizuwakamatsu Route-Inn Hotel is a 10-minute drive from Tsururga Castle and a 30-minute drive from Lake Inawashiro. Sazaedo is a 5-minute drive away.
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    • Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel
      Mid-range
      6.2 km from Aizuwakamatsu Station in Aizuwakamatsu, Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel features accommodation with access to a sauna, hot spring bath and public bath. Featuring free private parking, the 3-star ryokan is 4.9 km from Mount Iimori. The accommodation offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service for guests. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Kitakata Station is 27 km from Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel, while Ouchi-juku is 33 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 75 km away.
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    • Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel
      Mid-range
      A 5-minute walk from JR Aizuwakamatsu Train Station, Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel offers accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Massages can be requested for an extra cost and guests can enjoy refreshments at the hotelfs cafe. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen satellite TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. Japanese Yukata robes and toothbrush sets are provided for all guests. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Luggage storage is provided at the front desk. Free parking is available and photocopying services are provided for an extra cost. Washington Hotel Aizuwakamatsu is a 10-minute drive from Tsuruga Castle and a 5-minute drive from Sazaedo Shrine. The foot of Mount Iimori is a 25-minute walk away.
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