Fukushima
Third largest prefecture with a historic town of
Aizu-Wakamatsu
Fukushima is located in the southern part of Tohoku region in Honshu island. It is the third largest prefecture following Hokkaido and Iwate. Aizu-Wakamatsu is widely known in Japanese history for the Byakkotai, a group of young samurai during late 19th century.
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Ouchijuku is a post town along the Aizu-Nishi Kaido trade route that ran between Nikko and Aizu-Wakamatsu.
Ouchijuku preserves traditional houses with thatched roofs from the Edo Period.
Former feudal town of Aizu-Wakamatsu has several places to see. Mt. Iimoriyama is a home of the Byakkotai, a group of young samurai in Aizu. The Sazaedo Pagoda is a unique architecture that was built in 1796.
Dobujiru - similar to anko-nabe but without water as it was originated as a food for fishermen while they were on boat.
Yamoudo cuisine - dishes made by harvests from mountains
Nishin no shanshozuke - herring pickled in Japanese pepper called sansho
Aizu lacquer is a type of lacquer made in the Aizu region. A history of aizu lacquer traces back to late 16th century when a Lord in the Aizu region that time encouraged its production.
He brought skillful craftsmen to improve its technique. Oku-aizu braided crafts are hand-made basketry produced by using grass and vine grown in Fukushima. It was developed as work during winter when agriculture business has a down time due to severe snow.