Ouchi-juku: A Thatched Post Town in the Mountains
How to visit Ouchi-juku, the thatched-roof post town in Fukushima: the main street, eating soba with a leek, the snow festival and getting there.
Quick answer
- What it is: a preserved Edo era post town on an old road between Aizu and Nikko.
- Famous for: around 30 thatched-roof houses lining a wide earth street.
- Food: negi soba, eaten with a whole leek instead of chopsticks.
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours.
- Best time: the snow festival in February, or autumn leaves.
In Ouchi-juku, thick thatched roofs line both sides of a broad dirt street, with streams running along the edges. It looks much as it did when travellers and lords stopped here on the road to Edo.
Why Ouchi-juku is a wonder
Ouchi-juku was a post town on the Aizu-Nishi Kaido, a road linking the Aizu region with Nikko and Edo. When the road fell out of use, the village was left largely unchanged.
Residents have protected the thatched houses, many now shops and soba restaurants, and the town is a nationally protected historic district.
Soba with a leek
The local speciality is negi soba. Instead of chopsticks, you scoop up the noodles with a whole green leek and take bites of it as you go.
Climb the steps at the end of the street to a small shrine for the classic view down over the roofs.
What to see
| Spot | What you see | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Main street | Thatched houses along a wide earth road | 45 minutes |
| Viewpoint | A hillside view over the rooftops | 15 minutes |
| Negi soba restaurants | Soba eaten with a leek | 45 minutes |
| Ouchi-juku Museum | A restored post town inn | 20 minutes |
| To-no-Hetsuri | Eroded cliffs on a nearby river | 45 minutes |
When to go
- February: the snow festival with lanterns and fireworks.
- Autumn: red leaves on the hills.
- Summer: green mountains and a lively festival in July.
- Early morning: quiet streets before tour buses arrive.
Our tip: Climb to the viewpoint at the far end of the street. The rows of thatched roofs are best seen from above.
Getting there
- By train: take the Aizu Railway to Yunokami-Onsen Station, then a bus or taxi of about 15 minutes.
- From Aizu-Wakamatsu: trains reach Yunokami-Onsen in about 45 minutes.
- By car: there are paid car parks near the village.
Visiting respectfully
- People still live in the houses, so do not enter without invitation.
- Do not touch or pull at the thatched roofs.
- No smoking, as thatch is highly flammable.
- Keep to the street and paths.
Frequently asked questions
How do you eat negi soba?
Use a whole leek to scoop the noodles, and take bites of the leek as you go.
How do you get to Ouchi-juku?
Take the Aizu Railway to Yunokami-Onsen, then a bus or taxi.
When is the Ouchi-juku snow festival?
Usually in February.
How long should I spend at Ouchi-juku?
About 2 to 3 hours.
Sanjusangen-do
Row upon row of golden Kannon statues filling a hall 120 metres long.
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