10 MUST DO Things in Fukushima Japan 🇯🇵

@Patricia in Tokyo

Patricia in Tokyoyoutubethe post

Discover Fukushima Prefecture's hidden gems over three days, from traditional villages and historic castles to unique local dishes and sake breweries, all while experiencing genuine Japanese hospitality.

10 places · 2 experiences

1
Ouchijuku
Tourist attraction · Shimogo
4.2 (1,533)Open · until 5 PM
Creator's voice
A traditional village that once served as a stopover for travelers between Aizu and Nikko. It's now a single street lined with souvenir shops, street food stalls, and restaurants, offering a glimpse into old Japan.
Ouchi-juku, Ouchi, Shimogo, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima 969-5207, Japan
- Egoma Dango — A sweet and savory dango with a slightly chewy texture, possibly from egoma (perilla seeds). The vendor gave an extra soba dango, which was crunchy on the outside and chewy inside, and the creator preferred it.
2
Misoya Soba Restaurant
Soba noodle shop · Shimogo
4.2Closed · opens Monday 9:30 AM
Creator's voice
A popular soba restaurant known for its unique twist: serving soba noodles with a whole naganegi (long green onion). They also offer takeout bags for customers to take home unfinished leeks.
Misawaya Soba Restaurant, Yamamoto-26-1 Ouchi, Shimogo, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima 969-5207, Japan
- Naganegi Soba — Their classic soba noodles served with a whole naganegi (long green onion) that you use to eat the noodles. The noodles are chewy, and the leek adds a spicy kick, balanced by bonito flakes and grated radish for texture.
3
Aizu Higashiyama Onsen
Aizuwakamatsu
Creator's voice
A hotel known for its daiyokujo (large public bath), specifically a rooftop bath that overlooks the city. Guests can choose their own yukata designs from the lobby.
Higashiyama Onsen, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan
- Rooftop Outdoor Bath — An outdoor bath on the rooftop offering beautiful city views. It can be a bit cold with the wind, but jumping into the hot water is invigorating.
- Buffet Dinner — A buffet-style dinner with a surprising quality, especially the pudding and ice cream, which the creator called one of the best puddings they'd ever had.
4
Tsuruga Castle
Castle · Aizuwakamatsu
4.3 (5,022)Closed · opens Monday 8:30 AM
Creator's voice
A monument with intense history, symbolizing the samurai spirit. It was the site of a month-long siege during the Boshin War, where the Aizu clan remained loyal to the samurai era until the very end. The castle withstood heavy bombing and was later rebuilt.
Tsuruga-jō Castle, 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0873, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Experience a Traditional Matcha Ceremony
Step into the Rinkaku Teahouse, a place steeped in history, and enjoy a comforting cup of matcha. It's incredible to think you're drinking tea in the very spot where the son of Sen no Rikyu hid, a place crucial to the survival of the matcha tradition. The atmosphere is very calming and reflective.
5
Rinkaku Teahouse
Historical landmark · Aizuwakamatsu
4.1 (413)Open · until 5 PM
Creator's voice
A historic teahouse built for the son of Sen no Rikyu, Japan's most influential tea master, as a hideout. It's believed that without this teahouse, the tradition of matcha ceremony might not have existed. The materials used are original, rebuilt after the war.
Chashitsurinkaku, 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0873, Japan
6
Tonte
Creator's voice
A restaurant specializing in Fukushima's famous sauce katsudon, known for using local ingredients from Aizu, such as Koshihikari rice and cabbage. It's a popular spot, evidenced by celebrity signatures at the entrance.
Fukushima, Japan
- Sauce Katsudon — A huge, super glazy pork cutlet bowl, drenched in sauce but still retaining crispy bits. It's described as Japanese soul food, and the creator enjoys changing the flavor by adding more sauce or spice.
- Sauce Ebi Don — A shrimp tempura bowl with a similar glazy sauce, also a specialty of the restaurant.
Experience · 1 place
Paint Your Own Akabeko
Don't just look at the cute red cow figures (akabeko) that are everywhere in Takasaki; come to this workshop and make your very own! You'll be in an old-fashioned house, in what feels like the owner's living room, before heading to the actual workshop area. It's amazing to see the handmade molds and then get to paint your unique akabeko, making it truly one in a million.
7
Akabeko Workshop
Tourist attraction · Aizuwakamatsu
4.1 (398)Open · until 4:30 PM
Creator's voice
A workshop located in an old-fashioned house where you can make your own akabeko, a traditional red cow folk toy believed to bring good luck and health. The owner lives there and has converted part of his living space into a workshop.
Akabeko Crafter Bansho, 1 Chome-6-3 Wada, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0811, Japan
8
Ashinomaki Onsen
Aizuwakamatsu
Creator's voice
An onsen town where the creator stayed at a traditional ryokan.
Ashinomaki Onsen, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan
9
Moni Nite Ryokan
Hostel · Fukushima
4.2
Creator's voice
A traditional ryokan with 60 years of history, offering a completely different experience from a modern hotel. Rooms are named, not numbered, indicating a higher level of service and luxury.
Japan, 〒960-2157 Fukushima, Tsuchiyuonsenmachi, Donoue−7-1 YUMORI ONSEN HOSTEL
- Hungate Room — A huge room with a perfect mix of modern and Japanese aesthetics. It includes a separate bedroom, a kotatsu room for watching TV and drinking tea, and a private hot spring bath. The shower area is gigantic, and the bath smells of hinoki, making it very aromatic and relaxing.
- Private Hot Spring Bath — A private hot spring bath within the room, offering a luxurious and relaxing experience, especially during the coldest months. The hinoki wood scent makes it very aromatic.
- Kaiseki Dinner — A traditional Kaiseki-style course meal served in a private room, starting with appetizers, followed by sashimi, meat, soup, rice, and dessert. The staff rings a bell to pick you up for this private dining experience.
10
Suehiro Sake Brewery
Sake brewery · Aizuwakamatsu
4.2 (878)Open · until 4:30 PM
Creator's voice
Fukushima is Japan's top award-winning region for sake, and this brewery, established in 1850 (Edo period), produced a gold medalist sake in 2025. They offer free daily tours in both English and Japanese, including free samples.
Suehiro Sake Brewery, 12-38 Nisshinmachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0861, Japan