Ouchijuku (‘å“àh, 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
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Aizu
-
-
![]()
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 -
![]()
Kutsurogijuku ChiyotakiBoasting hot spring baths with mountain views, Kutsurogijyuku Chiyotaki is a 15-minute bus ride from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant and unwind in a private hot spring bath with views that was open in July 2017. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. All guest rooms have a flat-screen TV and an electric kettle. Slippers and a hairdryer are provided for guest's comfort. An on-site restaurant offers Japanese local cuisine and sake. There is a Japanese sake bar available on site from the evenings. You will find a shared lounge fitted with various books and complimentary tee and coffee. Guests can unwind in an open-air hot spring baths with mountain views on the top floor, and they can enjoy free access to hot spring baths at the sister property in the vicinity. Aizu Higashiyama Onsen is 100 metres from Kutsurogijyuku Chiyotaki, while Mount Iimori is 2.8 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Kutsurogijyuku ShintakiFeaturing 4 hot spring baths with free flowing spring water, Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki offers accommodation located a 15-minute bus ride from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station. Free WiFi and a restaurant are featured on site. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and an electric kettle. Slippers and a hairdryer are provided in guest rooms. All guest rooms are non-smoking, while there is a designated smoking area on each guest floor. There is room service at the property. Local cuisine and various local rice wine can be sampled at the on-site restaurant. A shared lounge has books and complimentary tea and coffee for guests' comfort. You can play table tennis at the ryokan free of charge. Guests have an free access to a hot spring bath of a sister property nearby. Aizu Higashiyama Onsen is 100 metres from Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki, while Mount Iimori is 3 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
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 -
![]()
Shosuke-no-Yado TakinoyuFeaturing free bikes, garden and views of mountain, Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu is set in Aizuwakamatsu, 3.4 km from Mount Iimori. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath, evening entertainment and family rooms. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. A seating area is included in the units, while certain rooms will provide you with a DVD player. At Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu every room includes bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu offers 4-star accommodation with a spa facilities, public bath and open-air bath. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 4.6 km from the ryokan, while Kitakata Station is 25 km away. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 73 km from Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu.View on Booking.com -
![]()
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. Laptops can be rented at the front desk and 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 -
![]()
Higashiyama Park Hotel ShinfugetsuSituated in Aizuwakamatsu, within 3.5 km of Mount Iimori and 4.7 km of Aizuwakamatsu Station, Higashiyama Park Hotel Shinfugetsu features accommodation with an open-air bath and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is around 25 km from Kitakata Station, 32 km from Ouchi-juku and 33 km from Mount Bandai. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a lift and luggage storage for guests. The rooms will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a TV. The ryokan offers 3-star accommodation with a sauna, hot spring bath and public bath. You can play table tennis at Higashiyama Park Hotel Shinfugetsu. Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 3.5 km from the accommodation. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 73 km from Higashiyama Park Hotel Shinfugetsu.View on Booking.com -
![]()
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 -
![]()
Niko RyokanWell located in the Higashiyama Onsen district of Aizuwakamatsu, Niko Ryokan is located 3.8 km from Mount Iimori, 5 km from Aizuwakamatsu Station and 26 km from Kitakata Station. With a shared lounge, the 2-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The ryokan features a hot spring bath and a 24-hour front desk. At the ryokan, each room has a desk. Guest rooms in Niko Ryokan are equipped with a TV and bathrobes. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Ouchi-juku is 32 km from Niko Ryokan, while Mount Bandai is 34 km away. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 74 km from the ryokan.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Toyoko Inn Aizuwakamatsu EkimaeLocated within 200 metres of Aizuwakamatsu Station and 2.7 km of Mount Iimori, Toyoko Inn Aizuwakamatsu Ekimae provides rooms in Aizuwakamatsu. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, each room comes with a desk. Guest rooms in Toyoko Inn Aizuwakamatsu Ekimae are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. The reception at Toyoko Inn Aizuwakamatsu Ekimae can provide tips on the area. Kitakata Station is 21 km from the hotel, while Mount Bandai is 30 km away. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 76 km from Toyoko Inn Aizuwakamatsu Ekimae.View on Booking.com
-
