Ouchijuku, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Late last year I visited the historic little village called Ouchijuku which is south of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture. The village is famous for the numerous traditional thatched buildings from the Edo period that line its main street. In the buildings are numerous little tourists shops and an old historic traditional restaurant.

Here I am sitting on the main street.

Along each side of the street, a little stone lined cold stream flowed and in it at various points were beer and other beverages cooling and ready for sale to tourists.

On the morning of the day I visited, then Prime Minister Koizumi visited. I am disapointed I missed him as I definately would have tried to introduce myself. Oh well. Here is a picture of the former Prime Minister visiting Ouchijuku on the day that I was there.

If you are traveling on the road through the mountains to Aizuwakamatsu, Ouchijuku is a really cool place to stop. Beware that it may be crowded on weekends or holidays. I don't remember the name of the restaurant but it is the only old traditional restaurant in the village and it was really great and the interior is incredible.