02‏/02‏/2015

Ouchi-juku under Snow

Winter wonderland at Fukushima's star attraction

By Tom Roseveare

Creative Director @ Japan Travel

Rows of thatched buildings blanketed in snow

Area map located at the car park (¥300 parking)

Most businesses are closed during the winter months, but many remain open

If you encounter gusts of wind, it'll pick up the rooftop snow with ease

Ouchi-juku is an Edo-Period post station located in Shimogo Town, Aizu County, Fukushima Prefecture. Rows of thatched traditional buildings line the main road, with stores selling souvenirs and several restaurants selling traditional food.

Towards the northern end, you can climb up to a vantage point that provides beautiful views across the entire village and surrounding valley. Not everything at Ouchi-juku is open in the middle of winter, but that makes it relatively quiet and peaceful.

The mountainous roads here can be treachorous and covered in snow stopping many possibly visiting by car. Otherwise, it's a 15 minute taxi ride from Yunokami Onsen Station for those coming by train. If you've made it this far, be sure to try the local speciality of soba with leek, with Misawaya the most famous restaurant here selling it.