Experience the Edo period at Ouchi-juku in Okuaizu, Fukushima! Enjoy the famous "Negi Soba" (green onion soba)!

  • Fukushima
  • Sightseeing
Ouchi-juku, lined with thatched-roof houses
Did you know that an Edo Period townscape still remains in Okuaizu, Fukushima Prefecture? Many thatched-roof houses still remain in Ouchi-juku, an Edo period inn town, and you can enjoy walking around the town with its restaurants serving Aizu's local cuisine, stores selling traditional crafts, and private residences. In this issue, we will introduce some of the highlights of Ouchi-juku.

History of Ouchi-juku since the Edo Period

Ouchi-juku, with more than 40 thatched-roof houses lining a 500-meter road, prospered as a post town on the road connecting Aizu Wakamatsu City and Nikko Imaichi in the Edo period (1603-1867). It was developed by Masayuki Hoshina, the feudal lord of Aizu at that time, and various travelers, such as those who came and went between Aizu and Nikko, and merchants, passed through the area.

Ouchi-juku, which has been selected as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, has been working to preserve the scenery and acquire and pass on traditional roofing techniques by adhering to the three principles of "do not sell, do not rent, and do not destroy," as set forth in the inn's residents' charter for taking over the inn's scenery. The thatched-roof houses, which have been in use for about 400 years, are still used as stores and residences.
Townscape of Ouchi-juku

Ouchi-juku Gazebo" overlooking Ouchi-juku

The "Ouchi-juku Lookout" is an observatory located on a small hill at the far end of Ouchi-juku. On this hill, which commands a panoramic view of the town, the Koyasu Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) and Benzaiten (Goddess of Mercy) are enshrined. You can take pictures of the elegant townscape from the Ouchi-juku viewing platform, so be sure to visit.
View from the gazebo

Using a green onion as a chopstick? Negi Soba", a specialty of Ouchi-juku

Negi-soba, a specialty of Ouchi-juku, is characterized by the powerful visual of a whole green onion attached to the noodle. The green onion is placed on top of a large bowl and used as chopsticks. This unique way of eating negi is only found in the Aizu region of Japan.

There are several theories as to how the leeks came to be served without being cut, including that it was considered bad luck to "cut" leeks on celebratory occasions, and that the leeks are meant to be thin and long like green onions, and to celebrate living a long life until one's hair grows gray.
Negi soba, a specialty of Ouchi-juku

Ouchi-juku Townscape Exhibition Hall" to learn about life in the Edo period

The "Ouchi-juku Machinami Exhibition Hall," a large thatched-roof building located in the center of Ouchi-juku, is a reconstructed inn that was used as an inn during the Edo period (1603-1868) when the daimyo would come and go on pilgrimage, and houses photos and daily utensils that show the customs of the time. Inside the museum, there are exhibits that reproduce the "Entrance Hall for the lord's exclusive use," "Upper Room," and "Bath," as well as materials related to thatched roofs.

Hours: 9:00-16:30
*Closed from December 29 to the following January 3
■Admission fee (individual)
Adults 250 yen / Elementary/Junior high school students 100 yen
Ouchi-juku Townscape Exhibition Hall courtesy of the Ouchi-juku Tourist Association
Ouchi-juku Machinami Exhibition Hall" for details

Seasonal festivals held in Ouchi-juku

Festivals are held in Ouchi-juku in summer and winter, and visitors can enjoy a different Ouchi-juku than usual during the festivals. Here are some of the festivals held in Ouchi-juku.

Traditional event "Ouchi-juku Hanatsu Matsuri Festival".

The Ouchi-juku Han-natsu Festival, a traditional event held annually on July 2, Han-natsu day, is a festival of the Takakura Shrine. After a Shinto ritual is performed at Takakura Shrine, which enshrines Emperor Go-Shirakawa's second prince, Takakura-no-miya Mochihito-o, men of the village dressed in white and black karasuboshi hats, led by a tengu, parade around a portable shrine, praying for the safety of their families and a good harvest along the streets of Ouchi-juku. The night before the festival, the Yoimiya Festival is held at Takakura Shrine, where those in charge of the festival confirm the division of responsibilities and decisions for the next day's festivities.
Ouchi-juku Summer Festival

Snow Lanterns create a fantastic atmosphere at the "Ouchi-juku Snow Festival

During the "Ouchi-juku Snow Festival," held every year on the second Saturday and Sunday in February, residents place handmade "snow lanterns" along the roads of Ouchi-juku, which are covered in deep snow, and light each one at night. Fireworks are also set off to create a fantastic atmosphere with the lights of the lanterns.
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival

Travel back in time to the Edo Period at Ouchi Yadojuku

How was the introduction of Ouchi-juku? Ouchi-juku is most famous for its "Negi Soba" (buckwheat noodles with green onions), but there are also many other attractions such as the "Ouchi-juku Townscape Exhibition Hall" and seasonal festivals. In the Aizu region, there are other spots that can be enjoyed together with Ouchi-juku, such as "Tsurugajo Castle" famous for the Byakkotai and "To-no-hetsuri" with its precipitous cliffs. Why not visit the Aizu region in the warmer season?

Parking fee: 500 yen for a standard car (to be paid in cash on the day)
*Ouchi-juku is a combination of stores and residences, and hours of operation vary from store to store. Business hours may be earlier or closed due to weather or other family reasons. If you visit between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, most stores will be open.
View from the gazebo of the Ouchi-juku Han-Natsu Festival
"Ouchi-juku Tourist Association" for details

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