Ouchijuku (h, Ōuchijuku) is a former post town along the Aizu-Nishi Kaido trade route, which connected Aizu with Nikko during the Edo Period. Restrictions set by the shogunate required travelers to make their long journeys on foot and as a result, post towns developed along the routes to provide travelers with food, accommodations and rest.
Today, Ouchijuku has been restored to look as it did in the Edo Period with telephone and electricity wires buried. The unpaved main street is lined by thick thatched roof buildings, which house a variety of shops, restaurants and minshuku (small traditional Japanese inns). Soba noodles and locally caught char fish roasted on sticks are popular specialties.
Ouchijuku's former Honjin, the principle inn for high ranked government officials, is also located along the main street and open to the public as a museum. It offers visitors an example of elegant, traditional housing interior of the Edo Period and includes a collection of dishes, clothing and other artifacts.
Also of note are Ouchijuku's shrine and temple. The temple is located at the end of the main street up a steep set of stairs. Visitors are rewarded with a panoramic view of the main street and its surroundings. A five minute walk off the main road stands a quiet shrine, set back in a patch of cedar trees. It has a pleasant atmosphere and a unique purification fountain.
Getting there and around
From Aizu-Wakamatsu
Ouchijuku is located in Shimogo Town, about 20 kilometers south of Aizu-Wakamatsu. The nearest station is Yunokami Onsen on the Aizu Railroad (35 minutes, 1050 yen one way from Aizu Wakamatsu Station, not covered by the Japan Rail Pass), from where Ouchijuku can be reached in a 15 minute taxi ride (around 2000 yen one way). From mid March through November, a bus operates between Yunokami Onsen and Ouchijuku about once per hour (20 minutes, 1100 yen for a 2-day pass).
From Nikko
From Nikko, it is about a 2.5 hour train ride to Yunokami Onsen Station by Tobu Railway, Yagan Railway and Aizu Railway. The one way fare is 2750 yen when using local trains and around 4000 yen when using the slightly faster limited express trains. The "Nikko-Ouchijuku Free Pass" provides two consecutive days of unlimited use of the Tobu, Yagan and Aizu railways between Tobu-Nikko and Yunokami stations (except limited express trains) and one day of unlimited use of the bus between Yunokami Station and Ouchijuku for 4860 yen. The pass can be purchased at the tourist centers of Tobu-Nikko and Kinugawa stations.
Hours and Fees
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Links and Resources
Hotels around Aizu
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TagotoTagoto 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.View on Booking.com -
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OokawasoFeaturing 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki3.7 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kutsurogijyuku ShintakiSituated 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.View on Booking.com -
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Marumine Kanko HotelLocated 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.View on Booking.com -
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Onyado TohoSet 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.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Route-Inn AizuwakamatsuOnly 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.View on Booking.com -
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Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel6.2 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. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 75 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Aizuwakamatsu Washington HotelA 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.View on Booking.com -
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Niko RyokanLocated 3.8 km from Mount Iimori, Niko Ryokan offers accommodation in Aizuwakamatsu with access to a hot spring bath. This 2-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a shared lounge. The ryokan provides rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. At the ryokan, all units come with a desk and a TV. At the ryokan, all units are equipped with a shared bathroom with bathrobes and slippers. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 5 km from the ryokan, while Kitakata Station is 26 km away. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 74 km from Niko Ryokan.View on Booking.com
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