The Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata area in Fukushima Prefecture is a popular tourist destination featuring historic streetscapes and delicious cuisine. Its appeal lies in the wide range of experiences available, from Kitakata ramen and retro alleyways to traditional crafts and hot springs. Here, we introduce recommended spots categorized into cuisine, shopping, experiences, and hot springs.
- Kitakata｜A Journey Through Retro Charm and Local Flavors
- inora coffee｜A Perfect Coffee Break on Your Journey
- Kitakata Retro Alley｜A Stroll Through the Nostalgic Charm of the Showa Era
- Frying Pan｜A Popular Restaurant Featuring Local Ingredients
- Ogumiya Rice & Cafe｜Home-Style Comfort Meals
- Ebisuya Matsuzaki Shoten｜A shop lined with old-fashioned snacks and original foods
- Aizu-Wakamatsu｜Enjoy Local Specialties and Shopping
- Experience Kitakata’s Culture and Soothe Your Soul with Hot Springs
- A Special Feature on Must-Visit Tourist Spots
Kitakata｜A Journey Through Retro Charm and Local Flavors
Kitakata is a charming town where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine amid historic streets. Its most famous specialty, Kitakata Ramen, is known throughout Japan for its soy-sauce-based broth and chewy, curly noodles made with local ingredients. Strolling through the retro alleyways that preserve the nostalgic atmosphere of Japan’s Showa era (mid-20th century), you can discover cozy cafés, Western-style restaurants, and homely diners serving traditional dishes. Experience the heartwarming blend of history and food culture that makes Kitakata truly special.
inora coffee｜A Perfect Coffee Break on Your Journey
If you’re visiting Kitakata, inora coffee is a must-stop café for a relaxing break. This cozy spot combines a record and pottery gallery, creating a warm atmosphere filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee made from carefully selected beans.
The interior is chic yet retro, with vintage-inspired décor that invites you to slow down and unwind. The menu features South American–style drip coffee, caffè con panna (espresso topped with whipped cream), and custard pudding, all crafted with care. The handmade custard pudding by the owner is especially popular—firm in texture, richly flavored, and perfectly sweet. Its presentation, topped with a swirl of cream, is as charming as it is delicious.
Take a moment to rest here between sightseeing spots, and you’ll feel both your body and mind refreshed. Enjoy a fragrant cup of coffee while gazing at the beautiful streets of Kitakata.
The café is open from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays.
Kitakata Retro Alley｜A Stroll Through the Nostalgic Charm of the Showa Era
Kitakata Retro Alley is a charming area that preserves the warm, nostalgic atmosphere of Japan’s Showa era (1926–1989). As you stroll through its quaint streets, you’ll discover scenes and shops that evoke the feel of Japan’s “good old days.” The alley is lined with long-established stores and eateries, where friendly locals welcome visitors with genuine hospitality.
Be sure to check out the shops selling local specialties and handcrafted goods, perfect for souvenirs. You’ll also find retro-style cafés and snack bars where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a light meal surrounded by vintage décor and Showa vibes.
Furthermore, at the heart of the alleyway lies a plaza where locals gather, occasionally hosting events and markets. Here, you can enjoy interacting with the community while experiencing Kitakata’s culture—a truly valuable experience awaits. Why not spend a heartwarming moment strolling through this town brimming with Showa-era charm?
Every August, a summer festival is held here, adding even more excitement to the retro streetscape!
Frying Pan｜A Popular Restaurant Featuring Local Ingredients
A must-visit in Kitakata’s gourmet scene is “Frying Pan.” This restaurant prides itself on dishes generously featuring fresh local ingredients, captivating all who visit. The interior offers a warm atmosphere, creating a casual yet relaxed space.
The menu features tempting dishes like Shrimp Cream Curry (¥1,200 tax included) and Ginger Pork Lunch (¥1,200 tax included). A must-try is their seasonal fruit parfaits, generously loaded with fresh fruit. Options include the Chocolate Banana Parfait (¥900, tax included), Melon Parfait (¥1,300, tax included), and Morning-Picked Strawberry Parfait (¥950, tax included). Visually striking, the juicy fruits pair perfectly with the whipped cream and ice cream underneath, creating a delicious experience.
At Frying Pan, you can also enjoy local craft beers and wines alongside your meal, savoring the flavors of the region. Through dishes that highlight local ingredients, you’ll rediscover the charm of Kitakata.
Business hours are from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM!
Ogumiya Rice & Cafe｜Home-Style Comfort Meals
Located in the heart of Kitakata, “Gohanya Cafe Ogumiya” is a restaurant dedicated to fermented foods where you can enjoy dishes made with “Aizu miso.” It’s situated in Netsushio-Kano Town, near the Michi-no-Eki Kitano-no-Sato roadside station. The warm, wooden interior creates a relaxed atmosphere, making you feel right at home.
The menu features items like the Ogumi Plate (pork cutlet), miso ramen, and miso curry. The recommended dish is Ogumi Plate. The pork cutlet is thick and substantial, but the miso tomato sauce is refreshingly light, pairing perfectly to make the rice go down smoothly. For dessert, choose from the snack plate or the daily-changing jelly.
Ogumiya is also the perfect spot to take a break during sightseeing. Enjoy warm interactions with locals while savoring heartwarming home-style cooking. Why not spend a moment here to soothe your travel fatigue and fill your heart?
Business hours are lunch from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM and dinner from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM!
Ebisuya Matsuzaki Shoten｜A shop lined with old-fashioned snacks and original foods
When strolling through Kitakata, Ebisuya Matsuzaki Shoten is a must-visit. This shop charms with its retro atmosphere, reminiscent of the Showa era, located in Odatsuki district of Kitakata City, designated a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2018. This area, symbolized by its rows of storehouses, thrived from the Edo to Meiji periods and retains Kitakata’s iconic warehouse townscape.
The menu features taiyaki and panda-shaped cakes. Taiyaki cost 150 yen each and come in red bean paste or cream flavors. Panda-shaped cakes cost 200 yen and offer pizza, ramen, and seasonal flavors. Seasonal flavors include curry, bacon mayo cheese, and more. While the panda-shaped pastries are adorable, their fillings offer unique and enjoyable tastes.
Why not savor Kitakata’s traditional gourmet delights in this retro shopping district? Many other Kitakata specialty shops are nearby, so be sure to explore them too!
Business hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM!
Aizu-Wakamatsu｜Enjoy Local Specialties and Shopping
Aizu-Wakamatsu is a charming area where you can enjoy modern shopping while experiencing its historical background. The Aizu Kitakata Ramen Museum, featuring local ramen, is an especially popular spot for tourists to sample and compare different ramen varieties. Additionally, at Yamanaka Senbei Honpo, you can savor fragrant hand-baked rice crackers while purchasing local specialties as souvenirs. Furthermore, at Take Kobo Takeya, you can acquire bamboo crafts showcasing the skill of artisans, where you’re sure to find a memorable piece. Discovering local specialties and shopping in Aizu-Wakamatsu will enhance your travel enjoyment.
Aizu Kitakata Ramen Museum｜Perfect for Comparing Flavors and Choosing Souvenirs
When visiting the Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata area, the Aizu Kitakata Ramen Museum is a must-visit spot. This is the place to go for ramen-related souvenirs in Kitakata.
Inside the facility, you can sample noodles made fresh in the on-site noodle factory. They offer a wide selection of Kitakata ramen souvenirs, including chashu pork, menma bamboo shoots, and seasonings to top your ramen. They even sell ramen for dogs, so dog owners should definitely pick some up as a treat for their furry friends.
Furthermore, the museum features an exhibition of ramen factory equipment, allowing visitors to see displays related to the actual ramen manufacturing process.
Business hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (April to December)
and 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM (January to March)!
山中煎餅本舗｜香ばしい手焼き煎餅を味わう
While enjoying sightseeing in Aizu-Wakamatsu, be sure to stop by “Yamanaka Senbei Honpo.” Here, you can savor rice crackers carefully hand-baked one by one by artisans using traditional charcoal-fired brick kilns. Step into the shop filled with the enticing aroma, and watch as freshly baked senbei crackle to crisp perfection right before your eyes—a sight sure to whet your appetite.
Additionally, the Charcoal-Baked Senbei Experience (reservation required) lets you try baking your own senbei over charcoal. Flavored with mugwort, you can enjoy your hot, freshly baked senbei on the spot.
The shop offers tastings, allowing you to discover your favorite flavors. They also sell grab-and-go items like charcoal soft serve ice cream topped with small senbei baked by the artisans, or charcoal soft serve lemon, perfect for satisfying a small hunger! It’s a great way to take a relaxing break during your sightseeing, savoring the fragrant, hand-baked senbei. When visiting Aizu-Wakamatsu, be sure to stop by.
Business hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM!
Take Workshop Takeya｜Bamboo Crafts Shining with Artisanal Skill
Take Workshop Takeya in Kitakata is a workshop where you can fully appreciate the charm of bamboo crafts. At the workshop, you can observe the process of making bamboo crafts. They also handle various bamboo crafts, including their own works and pieces by masters they studied under in Beppu and Kitakata.
Inside the workshop, you can observe artisans’ techniques up close, offering a valuable opportunity to learn about the bamboo crafting process. Hands-on workshops are also held, where you can create a “Shikaiha Flower Basket.” The experience takes about one hour and costs 2,500 yen.
Take Kobo Takeya is more than just a tourist spot; it’s a place to deeply understand and enjoy the culture of bamboo crafts. When you visit, be sure to experience the artisan’s skill firsthand and hold one of these heartwarming bamboo creations in your hands.
Business hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (until 4:00 PM from November to March)!
Experience Kitakata’s Culture and Soothe Your Soul with Hot Springs
Kitakata offers a wealth of experiences to soothe your soul while immersing yourself in its history and culture. First on your list should be Kuranoyu. Soak in the hot springs amidst a retro atmosphere and wash away the fatigue of daily life. Next, visit the local sake brewery, Aizu Kiyokawa Brewery Kiyokawa Shoten. Learn about the charm of local sake through a brewery tour and enjoy tasting sessions. Furthermore, at “Take Kobo Takeya,” where you can experience making bamboo crafts, you can observe artisans’ techniques up close and enjoy creating your own unique piece. Why not enjoy a journey that nourishes your soul while immersing yourself in Kitakata’s culture through these experiences?
Kuranoyu｜A Retro-Style Hot Spring in Kitakata
Kitakata’s Kuranoyu Hot Spring is a day-trip hot spring located at the roadside station “Fureai Park Kitano-no-Sato.” The building, renovated from an old storehouse, exudes the warm, cozy feel of wood, allowing visitors to spend a relaxing time.
The facility includes a rest area and a dining spot, so after soaking in the hot spring, you can enjoy light meals and drinks made with local specialties. Moreover, the leisurely time spent gazing at the surrounding nature will help you forget the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Kuranoyu is also an ideal spot to stop by during sightseeing, especially in the colder seasons when the warm water soothes both body and mind. When visiting Kitakata, why not refresh both your mind and body at this retro hot spring?
Business hours are from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM!
Kiyokawa Brewery, Kiyokawa Shoten｜ Local Sake Brewery Tours
Aizu Kiyokawa Brewery Kiyokawa Shoten is a spot that further deepens the charm of Aizu-Wakamatsu. Here, you can not only observe the brewing process of local sake made using traditional methods but also enjoy tasting sessions. Kiyokawa Shoten offers sake crafted with local rice and water, made with great care and effort, and its flavor is loved by many people.
During the brewery tour, you can witness the actual sake-making process firsthand and feel the skill and passion of the artisans. After the tour, there’s a tasting corner where you can savor fine sake. A recommended choice is the “Daiginjo Yukijuhana Shizuku,” crafted by a female master brewer. This 12-year-old aged sake has won a gold award at the National New Sake Appraisal Competition.
Additionally, Kiyokawa Shoten offers local sake for purchase as souvenirs, making it a perfect memento to take home from your trip. This place, where you can experience local culture and history while enjoying a heartwarming moment, is a must-visit spot when traveling to Aizu-Wakamatsu.
Business hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM!
A Special Feature on Must-Visit Tourist Spots
The Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata area is a charming tourist destination where history and culture thrive. Here, we introduce a carefully selected list of spots you should visit. First, Kitakata Ramen, a local specialty, is known for its rich flavor utilizing regional ingredients. Comparing different ramen shops at the Ramen Museum is a must. Additionally, at Kitakata Retro Yokocho, with its nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere, you can stroll through the charming streets while enjoying local specialties and souvenirs.
Furthermore, in Aizu-Wakamatsu, you can visit the historic Tsurugajo Castle, where you can enjoy the exhibits inside the castle and its beautiful gardens. Numerous shops selling local crafts and specialties also offer enjoyable shopping. Known as a hot spring area, you can relax at Kuranoyu and spend a moment healing both body and mind.
Thus, the Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata area is packed with diverse charms: history, food, culture, and hot springs. Visiting promises a wonderful experience that will stay with you.
