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| How about kicking things off with a little time travel? |
How about walking straight into a
Japan Edo-period post town without a time machine—more like a time traveler,
but taking the train or bus to this destination? It’s
possible when you visit the town of Shimogō in the Minamiaizu District of
Fukushima Prefecture. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Ōuchi-juku.
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| Hailing from the tropics, the grandeur of snow‑covered mountains and a world blanketed in white is breathtaking. |
We arrived at
Ōuchi-juku by car. It was about a 3- to 4-hour drive from Ibaraki prefecture. Traveling
during winter made the ride fascinating, as the view from the car window
shifted from Hitachinaka’s barren farmlands to snow-capped mountains. Inside
the heated car we were cozy, but stepping outside was freezing. Coming from a
tropical country, experiencing winter—let alone snow—was truly a one-of-a-kind adventure.
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| Torii gates are always a delightful sight |
The town is
lined with more than 30 thatched houses, each over 300 years old. Ōuchi-juku
once served as a post town along the Aizu-Nishi Kaidō trade route, providing
food, lodging, and rest for weary travelers. The Edo period spanned from 1603
to 1867, and this town was an essential stopover connecting Aizu to Nikkō.
Imagine walking the same streets where samurai, feudal lords, and officials
once stayed—it was an incredible experience.
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| Thatched-roof houses and establishments are pretty unique |
Japan has
done a remarkable job preserving the area. For someone like me, fascinated by
Japanese history, it feels like time travel—an opportunity to step into a
living museum.
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| Souvenir items can also be found on some houses, getting one of them is a must --- to seal your experience with Ouchi-juku |
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| Such a magnificent panorama to behold. |
The view from the hilltop is stunning. You can see the whole area and realize how beautiful it is from afar. Standing there, I imagined myself in the Edo period, gazing down at the town below and wondering if life back then was extremely difficult. In that moment, I felt grateful for the chance to be there.
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| These are some of the graveyard, a whole lot of them can be seen near a shrine at the top of the hill |
At the end of
the main street stands a temple, and nearby in a cedar grove is a shrine.
Beside the temple lies a small graveyard. It may seem a little spooky, but
temple graveyards are common in Japan. Curiosity is unmatched when a graveyard becomes a tourist attraction.
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| Different shrines on top of the cedar groove |
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| Shoot until your storage is full |
Though it’s
just a preserved village, you’ll find yourself snapping photos like a
photography enthusiast braving the cold for the perfect angle. The air is
filled with the scent of grilled fish skewers and soba noodles, children play
with ice balls on the sidewalk, and travelers browse souvenirs in the shops.
The vibe is so authentic you half expect a samurai on horseback to gallop past.
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| It just feels lucky to be here |
Near the
entrance, on the left side, lies a vast snow-covered farmland with towering
mountain ranges as its backdrop. Oh, how perfect this place is!
Maybe it's a sign for you to visit Japan.
Location : Ouchi, Shimogo, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima 969-5207, Japan
How to get there :
1. Main Train Route (From Tokyo to Aizu-Wakamatsu)
- Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station (about 80–90 minutes).
- At Koriyama, transfer to the JR Ban-etsu West Line and ride it to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (about 60–75 minutes).
2. Local Train (To Yunokami Onsen)
- From Aizu-Wakamatsu, transfer to the Aizu Railway Line and ride it to Yunokami Onsen Station (about 40 minutes).
3. Final Leg (To Ouchi-juku)
- By Bus: From April through November, the Saruyu-go shuttle bus operates between Yunokami Onsen Station and Ouchi-juku. The ride takes 15–20 minutes and costs about ¥1,100 for a 2-day pass. Note that bus frequencies can be limited (running roughly once an hour), and services are highly reduced or suspended during the winter months (December to March).
- By Taxi: If the bus isn't running or doesn't fit your schedule, taking a taxi from Yunokami Onsen Station is the most convenient option. The ride takes about 10–15 minutes and costs roughly ¥2,000–¥3,000 one-way.
