Experience & Lodging Facilities for Foreign Tourists in Aizu-Wakamatsu

Aizu-Wakamatsu, a castle town where Japanese history and nature harmonize, is a popular area attracting foreign tourists. Here, you can experience traditional Japanese culture, hot springs, and breathtaking scenery throughout the seasons. This article introduces experiential tourist spots and accommodations centered around Aizu-Wakamatsu where you can feel the essence of Japan!

A Journey to Aizu-Wakamatsu: Encountering Tradition and Culture

Aizu-Wakamatsu is a city steeped in Japanese history and culture. Here, you can experience traditional tea ceremony culture at Rinkaku and enjoy tasting experiences at Suehiro Brewery, which boasts over 150 years of history. Additionally, at Aizu Lacquerware Painting, you can observe master craftsmen at work up close and create your own unique piece. Through these experiences, you will fully appreciate the charm of Aizu-Wakamatsu.

Rinkaku｜A Historic Tea Room Preserving the Culture of Tea Ceremony

Located in the heart of Aizu-Wakamatsu, Rinkaku is a historic tea room where you can experience the culture of tea ceremony. Here, you can learn traditional Japanese tea ceremony while enjoying a moment of tranquility. The tea room at Rinkaku is surrounded by a beautiful garden enveloped in silence, and one of its charms is the ability to enjoy the scenery of the changing seasons.

During the tea ceremony experience, it will carefully instruct on how to prepare and enjoy tea. Explanations are also provided in English to make it easy for foreign visitors to understand, allowing foreign tourists to participate without worrying about language barriers. You can also learn about the philosophy and history behind the tea ceremony, offering a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of Japanese culture.

Rinkaku also regularly hosts tea gatherings and events, providing chances to interact with local people. This experience in a traditional tea room will surely become an unforgettable memory of your trip to Aizu-Wakamatsu.

Suehiro Shuzo Kaeigura｜Sake Tasting Experience at a 150-Year-Old Brewery

Suehiro Shuzo Kaeigura, a historic sake brewery in Aizu-Wakamatsu, is a traditional sake production site boasting over 150 years of history. Here, you can enjoy Japanese sake meticulously brewed using carefully selected local rice and pure water. Visitors can participate in brewery tours to learn about the sake-making process and experience its flavors through actual tastings.

The tasting offers a variety of sake types, allowing you to savor different flavors, from fruity aromas to deep richness. Additionally, a souvenir shop is located within the brewery, enabling you to take home your favorite sake.

Aizu Lacquerware Heritage Center Suzuzen｜Experiencing Traditional Crafts with the Skills of Master Craftsmen

Aizu-Wakamatsu is also renowned as a center for lacquerware production. Aizu lacquerware, in particular, has been cherished by many for its beautiful luster and durability. Here, foreign tourists can actually experience lacquerware painting themselves. Participants learn about the history and production process of lacquerware while creating their own original piece.

During the experience, participants first learn the basics of lacquerware, then actually apply the lacquer under the guidance of a master craftsman. Detailed instruction is provided on lacquer application techniques, color selection, and finishing skills, allowing even beginners to participate with confidence. The experience lasts about one hour and starts from 3,500 yen.

This hands-on experience offers a valuable opportunity to deeply understand the appeal of Aizu’s traditional crafts and encounter the master craftsmen’s skills. Aizu lacquerware painting is not just a tourist activity; it is a wonderful way to experience Japanese culture firsthand.

Create Memories with Charming Lodgings and Experiences

Aizu-Wakamatsu is dotted with charming lodgings where you can stay while soaking in the historical atmosphere. The renovated traditional house “Aizu Nanokamachi Inn” charms with its retro interior and warm hospitality. At “Mugenkyo Ferry,” shrouded in a fantastical morning mist, you can enjoy a special experience riding a boat through tranquil nature. These lodgings and experiences will surely create unforgettable memories for visitors.

Aizu Nanokamachi Inn｜Retro Stay at a Renovated Old House Inn

Aizu Nanokamachi Inn is a lodging facility integrated into the local community, conceived as a hotel where guests can enjoy their entire journey. A sake brewery with over a century of history has been reborn as a hotel.

The hotel features a café and workspace, equipped with amenities for comfortable stays. The café serves beer, local Aizu sake, soft drinks, and more. On Fridays and Saturdays only, they offer Aizu’s soul food: “Aizu Curry Yakisoba.” Rooms are designed with minimalist simplicity for comfortable stays. Room types range from singles to family rooms, offering a variety of spacious options to choose from with peace of mind.

Aizu Nanukamachi Inn is located on Nanukamachi Street, just a 3-minute walk from JR Tadami Line Nanukamachi Station. With excellent access and a sightseeing bus stop nearby, it’s the perfect base for exploring. Foreign visitors

Mugenkyo Ferry | A Boat Ride Enveloped in Illusory Morning Mist

The “Mugenkyo Ferry” offers a chance to fully savor the natural beauty of Aizu-Wakamatsu. Visiting during the hours when morning mist rises heightens its charm. Boarding the boat and gliding across the tranquil water, the surrounding mountains shrouded in mist create a fantastical landscape, as if you’ve wandered into another world. This experience allows you to enjoy scenery unique to each season, offering fresh wonder with every visit.

On board, local guides share stories about the history and nature of Mugenkyo, transforming the trip from mere sightseeing into a journey of deeper understanding. Listening intently in the stillness, the sounds of birdsong and flowing water offer soothing solace. The boat ride through the crisp morning air is a particularly precious time, refreshing both mind and boddy.

Mugenkyo Ferry is an activity you absolutely must experience during your trip to Aizu-Wakamatsu.

A moment of supreme relaxation, healed by nature and hot springs

Aizu-Wakamatsu is also knowned as a hot spring destination surrounded by abundant nature. Higashiyama Onsen, in particular, is beloved by many tourists as a renowned hot spring that heals both body and mind, alongside its beautiful valley scenery. Its charm lies in being able to enjoy the scenery of the four seasons while soaking in the hot springs. Furthermore, at Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Okawaso, a luxurious lodging experience awaits, blending spectacular open-air baths with traditional architecture. Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature and enjoy a moment of complete relaxation.

Magokoro no Yado Hoshinoi｜The Closest Ryokan to Ouchi-juku

Hoshinoi is beloved by many tourists as the closest inn to Ouchi-juku in Aizuwakamatsu. This inn prides itself on the sincerity of its staff and the free-flowing hot spring water sourced directly from Yunokami Onsen. With 70% of guests being repeat visitors, it’s a warm and welcoming place you’ll want to return to.

Rooms come in three types: traditional Japanese-style, Japanese-Western hybrid, and Western-style, all offering a relaxing space to unwind. The cuisine features Japanese dishes generously using ingredients from Aizu-Wakamatsu. Hoshinoi’s signature dish, “simmered potatoes,” is a truly memorable experience. Guests can fully savor Aizu’s local cuisine while feeling Hoshinoi’s heartfelt hospitality.

Hoshinoi also offers various tours. After dinner, the innkeeper will guide you through the nighttime Ouchi-juku, Tsurugajo Castle, and rivers where fireflies gather. Morning tours let you feel the crisp morning breeze while exploring Aizu-Wakamatsu. This inn provides hospitality overflowing with the Japanese spirit of “magokoro” (sincere heart). When visiting Aizu-Wakamatsu, why not stay at Hoshinoi?

Higashiyama Onsen｜Aizu’s Famous Hot Springs Enveloped in Gorgeous Valley Beauty

Higashiyama Onsen in Aizu-Wakamatsu is renowned as a famous hot spring where natural beauty and history blend together. The lush green valleys surrounding it offer scenery to enjoy throughout the seasons, revealing breathtaking beauty especially during autumn’s foliage season.

The true charm of Higashiyama Onsen lies in its water quality. The gentle, alkaline hot springs soothe fatigue and refresh both body and mind. From the open-air baths, you can relax and unwind while taking in the beautiful valley views. Additionally, you can enjoy cuisine made with local ingredients, allowing you to savor Aizu’s flavors alongside the hot springs.

This hot spring area also offers excellent access to tourist attractions, making it an ideal base for exploring the history and culture of Aizu-Wakamatsu.

Aizu-Ashinomaki Hot Springs Okawaso｜A Traditional Inn with Scenic Open-Air Baths

Nestled within the natural surroundings of Aizu-Ashinomaki Hot Springs in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Okawaso is an inn offering heartwarming hospitality to its guests. Based on traditional Japanese architecture, this inn charms with its tranquil atmosphere evoking the beauty of Japanese aesthetics. Particularly, the inn’s signature open-air baths offer stunning views of the changing seasons. Furthermore, as the model for the Infinity Castle in the movie “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” it’s a must-visit hotel for fans of Japanese anime.

Additionally, the hot spring water has a gentle quality that is kind to the skin, providing a moment of relaxation for both body and mind. Guests can spend leisurely time soaking in the hot springs while savoring the beauty of nature. Furthermore, the cuisine made with local ingredients allows guests to fully enjoy the flavors of Aizu, which is another delightful aspect.

Ōkawa-sō is also an ideal base for sightseeing, with historical landmarks and nature-rich spots scattered throughout the surrounding area. As an accommodation where guests can fully experience the charm of Aizu-Wakamatsu, it is beloved by many foreign tourists.

Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel｜Blending Nature and Activities

Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel is nestled within the beautiful natural surroundings of Aizuwakamatsu, offering visitors a luxurious and relaxing experience. This hotel boasts an ideal location for enjoying the scenery throughout the four seasons. Guests can enjoy various activities, such as skiing and snowboarding in winter, and hiking and mountain biking in summer.

Furthermore, the hotel features hot springs fed directly from the source, creating a space where guests can refresh both body and mind. From the open-air baths, guests can gaze upon the majestic views of Mount Bandai while savoring moments immersed in nature. Furthermore, cuisine featuring local ingredients is another highlight, allowing guests to fully enjoy the flavors of Aizu.

Hoshino Resorts Bandai-san Onsen Hotel will be a place where international visitors create unforgettable memories through experiences blending nature and activities.

Hotel Sansuiso｜Luxurious Time Spent with the Sound of Waterfalls

Miziori no Yado Sansuiso is located in a tranquil spot surrounded by the nature of Aizu-Wakamatsu, offering visitors a luxurious escape. Its defining feature is the soothing sound of the waterfall flowing right before your eyes. Immersed in the sounds of nature, it provides an environment where both mind and body can relax.

Guest rooms feature designs that cherish traditional Japanese aesthetics, exuding a calm atmosphere. Windows offer expansive views of beautiful valleys, allowing guests to enjoy scenery that changes with the seasons. Guests can also savor cuisine made with abundant local ingredients, with the dinner kaiseki course, highlighting seasonal flavors, being particularly popular.

Furthermore, Sansuiso offers hot spring bathing. Soaking while listening to the waterfall’s sound is truly a blissful experience. Here, you can heal your spirit amidst nature and forget the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Aizu-Wakamatsu: A Guide to Experiencing Japan

Aizu-Wakamatsu is a destination where you can fully experience Japan’s traditional culture and natural beauty. Here, we’ve compiled activities and spots that foreign tourists will particularly enjoy. First, at the historic tea room “Rinkaku,” you can experience the tea ceremony culture while enjoying a quiet moment. Next, at “Suehiro Brewery Kaeigura,” with over 150 years of history, you can sample local sake and savor its deep, complex flavors.

Furthermore, the lacquerware painting experience offers a valuable opportunity to learn artisan techniques while creating your own unique piece. Through these experiences, you can connect with Aizu-Wakamatsu’s culture and traditions, ensuring a memorable journey. We invite you to enjoy a truly memorable Japanese experience in this place where natural beauty and historical depth converge.