Showing 1-8 of 8 results
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Aizu Bukeyashiki
Saigō Tanomo was the Aizu clan's chief retainer and Aizu Bukeyashiki is a superbly realised reconstruction of his yashiki (villa). Wander through the 38 rooms that include a guestroom for the Aizu lord, a tea-ceremony house, quarters for the clan's judge and a rice-cleaning mill presented here in full, noisy working order. Don't miss the samurai lavatory: underneath is a sandbox on wheels, an 'early-warning system' that could be removed so staff could monitor the health of the warriors.
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Aizu Sake Brewing Museum
The Aizu Sake Brewing Museum details the history of rice-wine brewing in the area. A fair number of English signs and an English pamphlet make it easy to get a basic sense of the brewing process. Life-size dioramas and old sake advertisements add to the charm. Naturally you can sample the famous tipple for the price of admission.
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Byakkotai Memorial Hall
Iimori-yama (飯盛山) is the mountain where a group of 'White Tiger' samurai killed themselves during the Bōshin Civil War. At the foot of the mountain, the Byakkotai Memorial Hall explains the story.
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Fukushima Prefectural Museum
For nonfeudal glimpses into Aizu-Wakamatsu's history, try the Fukushima Prefectural Museum, with 400 displays ranging from prehistoric times to recent history.
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Oyaku-en
Oyaku-en is a meditative garden complex with a large, central carp pond. Originally a holiday retreat for the Aizu clan, it features a section devoted to the cultivation of medicinal herbs (available for purchase) - a practice encouraged by the lords.
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Rinkaku
On the Tsuruga-jō castle grounds, Rinkaku is an evocative, 400-year-old teahouse that was rescued from the castle's destruction by a local family and returned here in 1990.
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Sazae-dō
Sazae-dō, an 18th-century hexagonal hall, contains 33 statues of Kannon (the Buddhist goddess of mercy). It also has a fabulous spiral staircase that, Escher-esque, allows you to walk up and down without retracing your steps.
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Tsuruga-jō
The Aizu clan made Tsuruga-jō, their headquarters. The present building is a 1965 reconstruction, but parts of the daunting walls remain, as does the castle's moat. Inside, there's a museum with historical artefacts from battle and daily life. Displays are a bit sketchy, although the frequent martial-arts demonstrations, carried out by adepts in full warrior regalia, are engaging. The 5th storey affords a terrific view of the surrounding town and valley, including Iimori-yama.
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Showing 1-8 of 8 results
