Overview
Aizu, a charming historic castle town in western Fukushima Prefecture, harmoniously blends beautiful nature and traditional culture. Surrounded by the Oou and Echigo mountain ranges, it features a basin topography with hot summers and heavy winter snowfall. Aizu-Wakamatsu City, its representative city, is home to numerous historical buildings, including Tsuruga Castle and Ouchi-juku. In winter, Aizu becomes a wonderland of snow, hosting many events that utilize it, and offering the added delights of ski resorts and relaxing hot springs.
Geography
Location
Aizu is a basin located in the western part of Fukushima Prefecture, accounting for approximately 40% of the prefecture’s total area. Surrounded by the Ou Mountains, Mount Iide, the Echigo Mountains, and the Aizu Highlands, its area is larger than that of Aichi or Chiba Prefectures. The Aga River flows through its center and empties into the Sea of Japan. Due to its unique basin topography and the climate of the Sea of Japan side, Aizu experiences hot summers and heavy snowfall in winter. It is approximately 300 kilometers away from Tokyo.
Population
As of February 2025, the total population of the Aizu region is approximately 240,000, representing about 14% of Fukushima Prefecture’s estimated population of 1,740,000. The population of Aizuwakamatsu City is about 120,000. The region has experienced a continuous population decline since 1995, with a recent decrease of over 1,000 people annually. This decline is largely attributed to social dynamics, particularly the outflow of young people aged 15 to 24.
Nature
The Aizu region is a nature-rich area surrounded by majestic mountains, including Mount Bandai, and dotted with beautiful lakes and marshes such as Lake Inawashiro, the fourth largest lake in Japan, Lake Hibara, and Goshikinuma. These lakes and marshes reflect the beautiful scenery of each season, captivating visitors. Additionally, Oze National Park, a treasure trove of alpine plants, has a precious natural environment registered as a Ramsar Wetland. The Aizu region, blessed with abundant forests, wetlands, and lakes, is a place that encapsulates the charm of Japan’s nature, where diverse flora and fauna inhabit.
Climate
The Aizu region, a basin surrounded by mountains, has a distinct four-season climate, exhibiting both inland and Sea of Japan climate characteristics with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. While summers are muggy during the day and winters bring heavy snowfall and severe cold, spring and autumn see significant temperature differences between day and night. The average temperatures in Aizuwakamatsu City are: spring (6°C/16°C), summer (20°C/25°C), autumn (10°C/20°C), and winter (-2°C/2°C), clearly showing the temperature variations of each season.
Industry
Aizu’s major industries include agriculture, livestock farming, tourism, traditional crafts, manufacturing, and forestry. Agriculture is thriving thanks to fertile soil, with rice farming being particularly famous. Aizu Koshihikari is a well-known brand, along with fruit cultivation (peaches, apples, grapes) and vegetable farming (asparagus, tomatoes). Livestock farming, especially Aizu Beef, is highly regarded for its quality, and dairy farming is also practiced.
Tourism plays a vital role, attracting visitors with its rich history, natural beauty, and winter sports.. Aizuwakamatsu City features Tsuruga Castle and historical sites related to the Byakkotai and Meiji Restoration, while hot spring resorts like Higashiyama Onsen and Ashinomaki Onsen are popular. Traditional crafts such as Aizu lacquerware, Aizu Hongo Pottery, and Akabeko figurines highlight the region’s craftsmanship. Additionally, manufacturing focuses on electronic components and renewable energy, while forestry utilizes local timber for woodworking and furniture.
History
Aizuwakamatsu, a castle town during the Edo Period (1603-1868), was known for its powerful samurai clan and Confucian values. It became a key battleground in the late 19th-century civil war, where many young samurai, including the White Tiger Corps, tragically died. Today, it’s a vibrant city preserving its history.
Local specialties
Hot Springs
The Aizu region is dotted with unique hot spring resorts, including Higashiyama Onsen, which flourished as a spa retreat for the Aizu domain with a history of 1300 years, Ashinomaki Onsen, famous for its cat stationmaster, Nakanosawa Onsen, a rare acidic sulfur spring in Japan, and Yunokami Onsen, known for its thatched-roof station building.
Food
Historically, landlocked Aizu preserved vegetables as pickles and relied on river fish like salmon and carp for protein. Dried seafood, delivered via routes like the Kitamaebune, was key due to limited fresh options
- Aizu, landlocked, features preserved seafood like sansho-pickled herring and simmered dried cod, a tradition due to its distance from the sea
- Kozuyu is a local Aizu stew with various ingredients in scallop broth, served on special occasions
- Simmered carp in a sweet and savory sauce
- Mountain vegetable and mushroom cuisine (regional dishes of Oku-Aizu and Minami-Aizu)
- Source Katsudon: Aizu’s soul food with crispy cutlets, sweet-savory sauce, shredded cabbage, and Aizu rice
- Horse meat cuisine
- Takato soba, is enjoyed with a dipping sauce of grated spicy radish and grilled miso, or eaten with long green onions instead of chopsticks.
- Sake : Aizu is ideal for sake brewing, blessed with nature and history. With a focus on nurturing young brewers, its sake has earned high acclaim, including numerous gold prizes at national competitions.
Must-see
Traditional Crafts
Akabeko,Aizu lacquerware,Aizu cotton,Aizu Hongo ware,Oku-Aizu braided crafts,
Cultural site
Tsurugajo Castle (Wakamatsu Castle),Aizu Sazaedo,Ouchi-juku,Oyakuen Garden,Nisshinkan (Aizu Clan School),
Hot Spring
Higashiyama Hot Springs,Ashinomaki Hot Springs,
Activities
Skiing,Snowboarding,Five Colored Pond Snowshoeing,Lake Hibara Smelt Ice Fishing,
