Japan | Visiting Ouchi-juku in Winter | Hidden Historic Snow Village

Japan | Visiting Ouchi-juku in Winter | Hidden Historic Snow Village

Hello! everyone. We just checked out of this hotel. This is Aizu-wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture,
Japan, in the middle of winter. Today, we are going to “Ouchi-juku” now. Ouchi-juku. Have you heard of it? Its’ about 300 km north of Tokyo
and 30 km from here in Aizu-wakamatsu. What kind of place is it? We’ll explain later, now let’s get on the train. To get to Ouchi-juku,
you can go from this Aizu-wakamatsu station. The closest station to Ouchi-juku is
Yunokami Onsen Station. Buy tickets first. From Aizu-wakamatsu to Yunokami Onsen,
1,050 JPY/7USD per person. The 9:02 train will be taken. The train departs from platform 5. Cute red train! It’s very empty. Nobody’s here, the next car. The beginning of a 40-minute train journey. Let me talk briefly about Ouchi-juku. Japan’s Edo period, about 350 years ago, Ouchi-juku prospered as a transportation hub. People in those days traveled on foot,
no matter how far they had to do. In those days,
the town provided lodging and food. Even today, the historic thatched-roof houses
still remain as they were in those days. It must be a wonderful place. It looks like a Swiss mountain railroad! A group of tourists got on. Definitely people going to Ouchi-juku. Arriving at Yunokami Onsen Station. Take a bus from here. This is a local bus named “Saruyu-go.” The number of buses is very few,
So, we reserved seats in advance. These seem to be our seats. A lot of people are coming,
They will take the tourist buses on the left. You should arrive at Ouchi-juku
in about 20 minutes. Arriving at Ouchi-juku. Map of Ouchi-juku. About 40 old houses with thatched roofs in a row. Let’s get going. Ouchi-juku, it says. Traditional thatched-roof houses appears. But you can’t see them because of snow. By the way,
why was this old landscape left behind? After Ouchi-juku ceased its role
as a transportation hub, Railroads and highways were
never built in this region. As a result, the town was left as it was then. Like sharp knives! It’s dangerous, but let’s touch them later. What is this sound? If the clothes they are wearing are from back then, It looks like we’re really in the old Edo period. These are made from local miso and sesame. Most of these houses are used as stores. This house is an accommodation. Based on the following three principles,
do not sell, do not rent, do not destroy, They are working
to preserve this precious townscape. Torii gate has appeared. The main shrine should be located,
after walking along this path for 10 minutes. But we don’t have much time, so we don’t go. Takakura Shrine. This facility was called “Honjin” in the Edo period. An accommodation designated by the government. Only people of high status were allowed to stay here. What is this? It’s made of snow! Now let’s take a look inside the house. Description of “Honjin.” Admission fee 250 JPY/1.7USD. Surely this is what greeted travelers
in the Edo period. In Japanese, it’s called “Irori (hearth).” It goes like this. The atmosphere is exactly as it used to be. Various tools of daily life are displayed. There seem to be guest rooms in the back. It’s a black bear. In recent years, there have been incidents
of people being attacked by bears in Japan. Toilet! I don’t think it was this clean. Bathroom. Probably used by people of high status
who stayed here. Now is the time to touch these knives! I thought my hand was cut off. You should not do these things. because dangerous. This town is about 450m long. The end is in sight. It’s a very quiet town, Under heavy snow, stores are open. Looks like it’s closed, though. If you had the time, you would like to walk
such a road as far as it goes. This is the end of Ouchi-juku. there is one other viewpoint that is even better. But it was closed due to heavy snow on that day. There is something that stands out in the middle. Lots of green onions! At Ouchi-juku, visitors can eat soba
using a green onion instead of chopsticks. All tourists seem to eat it.
We should try it too. Negi-soba/Aizu jidori soba each 1,200 JPY/8.0USD
Shingoro 250 JPY/1.7USD. Something is baked and made. These are called “shingoro.” They are made in the following steps.
First, the rice is rolled into a half-moon shape. Then, seasoned with miso and grilled over charcoal. specialty of Ouchi-juku. Negi-soba (green onion soba) is here. This is another specialty of Ouchi-juku.
I don’t know its origin well. This is jidori-soba. No green onion as chopsticks. First, put a lot of chili peppers. This is just what I like to do. I do not recommend it for everyone. Hmmm. Okay, let’s catch the noodles! It’s a little difficult. I managed to take a bite. I managed to do it a second time. The third time also succeeded. This takes a lot of time. I am tired of playing with leeks. This is very frustrating. Let’s not do this anymore. Eat with chopsticks. It’s not against the rules. So easy. By the way, a restaurant staff said earlier.
“please nibble on the green onion.” I took a bite of it. My mouth became spicy with leeks. This one is sweet and delicious. Thank you for the meal. We have to go back now,
because there aren’t many buses. We want to come back in summer
and see thatched roofs clearly. We return on the same bus as we went. We’ve arrived at Yunokami Onsen Station. The station building is
also a traditional thatched house. We’re in a hurry when we came here,
so I didn’t notice it. Many icicles are also here. You rarely see mailboxes like this anymore. What a surprise! There is a footbath next to the station building. Nobody is there, though. Snow, footbath, station and crows. Inside of the station. We had a heater! Return to Aizu-wakamatsu City,
1,050 JPY/7USD. Board from opposite platform. I can’t believe I’m crossing the tracks in the snow, I think it might be the first time in my life. The station satff told me to cross quickly,
because a train was coming. We still have time today. Let’s go see the famous castle in Aizu-wakamatsu. Therefore, get off at Nishi-wakamatsu Station. Nishi-Wakamatsu is two stations before Aizu-Wakamatsu. Let’s catch that cab. Heading to Tsuruga Castle.
Cab fare, 1,390 JPY/9.3USD. Tsuruga Castle is famous for its beauty
when the castle tower is covered with snow. A lot of foreign tourists come here.
probably, after Ouchi-juku. Tsuruga Castle! Built about 500 years ago, but later destroyed. This was rebuilt about 50 years ago. It’s beautiful from every angle! Let’s go up to the castle tower. Entrance fee to the tower, 520 JPY/3.5USD.
Includes entrance to the tea ceremony room. We’ll see the traditional tea house later. Successive lords of the castle. Date Masamune is popular. Date Masamune’s helmet is famous.
It features a crescent moon ornament. I wonder if this is real? This is a general view of Tsuruga Castle. The surrounding moat is nice and frozen,
we’ll see it later. We’ve reached the top. Please enjoy the beautiful collaboration of Aizu Wakamatsu City and the mountains. Let’s go see the tea ceremony room “Rinkaku.” Matcha green tea and sweets are available here,
600 JPY/4USD. Tea room is a room for tea ceremony. It’s not easy to explain what a tea ceremony is.
So, it’s omitted. Tea ceremony room “Rinkaku.” In 1591, Sen no Rikyu, a master of the tea ceremony, was driven to suicide. His son, Sen no Shoan, was sheltered in this area. This tearoom was built by him at that time and
said to be the site of the revival of Rikyu culture. Let’s look at it from the back side. A small Japanese-style room. Leaving the tea ceremony room. Matcha green tea is available here.
It was crowded. Tsuruga Castel, good bye! We came to see the frozen moat. The ice is covered with snow. I feel the harshness of nature, but it’s beautiful. The left side is not frozen
and the right side is frozen. It’s time to go back to Aizu-wakamatsu Station. Cab fare, 1,210 JPY/8.1USD. This is the hotel where we stayed last night.
We picked up our suitcase. We are now going to the hot spring hotel
where we stay tonight. The minibus on the right
is the hotel’s free shuttle bus. We got on the minibus. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the hotel. Now heading for Higashiyama Onsen. A very famous onsen in Fukushima Prefecture. We’ve arrived at the hotel. Oedo-Onsen Monogatari has 68 hotels across Japan. Oedo-Onsen has several features. Breakfast and dinner are always served
at the buffet. Prices are relatively inexpensive. Often large hot spring hotels. They acquired an old hotel, renovated it,
and are open for business. Yukata (Japanese bathrobe) can be freely chosen. Now let’s get lost in the maze of this huge hotel! After checking in, we’re heading to our rooms. The room is really incredibly far away. The hallways are long. It goes on and on. How far do they want us to go? We finally arrived. This is our room. Now, let me show you the room. Thus, bedding is prepared in advance. 9,540 JPY/64USD
per person per night with 2 meals. There is another room! Two of us don’t need this room. This is the biggest room I’ve ever stayed in my life. Check the bathroom. With washlet function. Ordinary bathroom. Since we’re at a hot spring hotel with a large bath,
no need to bathe here. I’ll show you around the hotel. Shared public baths.
Separate for men and women. After bathing in hot spring,
everyone is supposed to drink coffee milk. They also eat ice cream. Adults drink beer. Some people get massages. If you want to do it cheaply,
machines are also available. 15 minutes, 300 JPY/2USD. Sometimes people play in game centers. I’ve never seen
a crowded game center in a spa hotel. Oh, the front lobby is very crowded. It seems
that a group of guests from abroad has arrived. Now it’s time
for everyone’s favorite dinner buffet! Available for 90 minutes. Eat and eat until the time limit is up! Meat, fish, pizza, sushi, tempura, ramen,
salad, desserts. Everything is here. Live cooking station! steak and Tempura. Very inexpensive hotel. If you don’t expect too much,
the foods would be good. Salad. Sushi. Japanese pickled vegetables. Sauce-katsudon.
It’s a specialty of Aizu-wakamatsu area. Sashimi. Pizza. That’s all we took for the moment. After we eat, we’ll go back and get them again. Repeat until our stomachs burst. Motsu-nabe. Looks hot and delicious. Sauce-Katsudon. Kitakata-ramen. Popular ramen
originated in Fukushima Prefecture. Not authentic taste. You must eat all kinds of desserts at buffet. We are stuffed! Thank you for watching until the end. Please subscribe to our channel, please. We would be very happy
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We’re traveling in Japan in winter. Today is the day to go to Ouchi-juku.
Ouchi-juku is accessible from Aizu-wakamatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture. It’s an old village where traditional thatched-roof houses still remain. Walking through the village, you would feel as if you were in the Edo period, more than 300 years ago. The snowy winter scenery is particularly impressive.

We get there by local train and bus. We eat the famous green onion soba noodles and then go to see the beautiful snow-covered Tsuruga Castle. We also stay at a reasonably priced onsen/hot spring hotel and show you its food, room and facilities.

Trip cost per person.
Train and bas fee (from Aizu-wakamatsu station to Ouchi-juku) 2150JPY/14USD (one way)
Onsen hotel accommodation fee, including two meals 9,540JPY/64USD
Conversion rates are as of February 2025.

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0:00 Introduction
0:28 Train and bus to Ouchi-juku
6:18 Walking in the village of Ouchi-juku
16:13 Lunch
20:37 Return to Aizu-wakamatsu by bus and train
26:04 Tsuruga Castle
35:49 Introducing the Hot Spring Hotel
40:44 Hotel dinner buffet

#travel #Japan #Fukushima #trip #snow #trainjourney #onsen #WorldTravelFan
#ouchijuku