Step Back in Time at Ouchi-juku

Discover a traditional post town setting in Fukushima

Located in Minami-Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, Ouchi-juku was an important Edo-era (1603-1867) post town on the road connecting Aizu-Wakamatsu City and Nikko Imaichi, but now has become a major tourism destination. Travelers in the Edo era largely made their way on foot, so a series of      rest stops—the post towns—were needed. Those traveling the road were not only merchants and ordinary people, but also the feudal lords who were required to make regular visits to the head of the feudal government in Edo (today’s Tokyo).

You can expect picture postcard-like scenes of idyllic rows of thatched-roof houses, blanketed by snow and even more photogenic for visitors in winter. 

Step inside Misawa-ya to warm up by the irori, a traditional Japanese fireplace, and don’t leave without sampling negi soba, noodles served with a leek in place of chopsticks. A leek is not the most convenient substitute for chopsticks (and a pair is usually provided with the dish), but it’s a fun dish to try, and the flavor of the leek complements the soba noodles beautifully. 
     
Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen      to Koriyama Station (about one hour 15 minutes),      take the bus to the Wakamatsu Eki-mae station (about one hour), then      transfer to the local train      to Yunokami Onsen Station (about 35 minutes) and      take a taxi to Ouchi-jukui (about 10 minutes).

Ouchi-juku