Aizuwakamatsu and Kitakata (Aizuwakamatsu City and Kitakata City, Fukushima Pref.)

During the 1868 Boshin War (the conflict between the old shogunate government and the new Meiji imperial forces), the castle withstood an assault that lasted a whole month, and it became known as an impregnable fortress. At the command of the Meiji government, the castle was torn down after the end of the war, but it was rebuilt in 1965. The castle was last renewed in 2004 and turned into a castle museum.

The nineteen samurai of the Byakkotai (White Tiger Band) are buried here. The White Tiger Band was composed of teenage samurai warriors aged 16 or 17, who committed seppuku (Japanese ritual suicide) when they mistakenly thought the castle had fallen.

Tsuruga Castle was the scene of a large battle between the Meiji forces, promoting the westernization process, and the last of the Samurai, determined to protect their pride.

Including this historic castle, Aizuwakamatsu City has many temples, shrines, parks, and gardens, as well as many traditional shops selling lacquer ware, Japanese sake, and Japanese sweets.

On the eastern side of Aizuwakamatsu City there is Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro, where you will find many ski resorts. The volcanic eruptions of Mt. Bandai have left many lakes and marshes on the north side of the mountain, as well as many hot springs source wells, including Higashiyama Onsen, and here you can fully enjoy both nature and sports.

Kitakata is well known as a city of warehouse. There are about 4,000 warehouse here, all made from plaster and brick. The men of the city all wanted to build their own warehouse, and these warehouses were the fruit of their dreams and hard work.

There are also about 120 shops specializing in ramen (Chinese noodles), featuring thick noodles and soup made from soy sauce. The city is considered one of the top 3 ramen spots in Japan.