AIZUWAKAMATSU 3Day

WHERE IS AIZUWAKAMATSU?

Aizu, located in western Fukushima Prefecture, is a region with a long samurai tradition that is proudly put on display for visitors. A story well known throughout Japan, a group of young soldiers from Aizu committed ritual suicide upon thinking that their castle, Tsuruga Castle, had been taken by the enemy in a battle accompanying the end of Japan's feudal age in 1868. Though the soldiers had been mistaken and their castle was still standing, the Aizu forces did indeed eventually lose the battle. The imperial forces, who they had been fighting, abolished the Aizu domain and tore down Tsuruga Castle. The castle has since been restored and is now open to the public. References to Noguchi Hideo, perhaps the area's most famous citizen, can be seen around town. Born and raised in Aizu, Noguchi was a famous Japanese doctor in the early 1900s who made significant advances in the study of syphilis. Tourists may find his face familiar, as Noguchi's portrait adorns the 1000 yen bill.

SIGHTS INFORMATION

Wakamatsu Castle tower (Tsuruga Castle)

Wakamatsu Castle is also called “Tsuruga Castle” and was built about 610years ago, The tower was originally seven stories, but after being damaged in a big earthquake, it became five stories. The present tower was rebuilt in 1965.

1. 
   Tsuruga jo Castle
2. 
   Transform into an Edo person at Tsurugajo!

Iimori Hill / 19 Tombs of the Byakkotai Soldiers

The Byakkotai was a group of young soldiers aged between 16-17 years old at the time of the Boshin civil was. After being defeated in battle, They were hungry and exhausted they arrived at the site of Iimori Hill to witness their castle town ablaze, the despairing young soldiers, committed suicide at this site. (the name Byakkotai means White tiger Brigade).

1. 
   The way to iimoriyama
2. 
   The view of Castle from iimoriyama
3. 
   Graves of 19Byakkotai soldiers

Byakkotai memorial hall

This Byakkotai Memorial was build in 1956 by Kiyoji Hayakawa. Among the displays in the memorial are the belongings of Byakkotai soldiers and other important articles related to the tragedy.

1. 
   The final seconds of Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps)
2. 
   Byakkotai Memorial(white tiger corp memorial)
3. 
   Statue of Byakkotai

Aizu Samurai Residence

They rebuilt one of the Samurai Residences that was burned down during the Boshin civil war. Tea house, rise mill, and water well are exhibited.

1. 
   Gate to Samurai residence
2. 
   Gate to Samurai residence
3. 
   Samurai residence

Aizu Clan School Nisshin-Kan

A restoration of Clan School where the Byakkotai has also learned. You can get a feel of how education was during the Edo-Period.

1. 
   gate to Nisshinkan
2. 
   Scene of Byakkotai studying at Nisshinkan

Hideyo Noguchi Memorial hall

Hideyo Noguchi is one of the most prominent bacteriologists who discovered the agent of syphilis as the cause of progressive paralytic disease in 1911. In 1928, Noguchi traveled to Africa to confirm his findings. The purpose of this field work was to test the hypothesis that yellow fever was caused by spirochaete bacteria instead of a virus. While working in Accra, Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana) he died from yellow fever on May 21, 1928. His last words being "I don't understand”. His Birthplace is still there as the way it was and you can learn about how he grew up and became A great doctor.

1. 
   Birthplace of Noguchi Hideyo
2. 
   Statue of Noguchi Hideyo
3. 
   Where he got burned

Inawashiro lake

Inawashiro lake is the 3rd largest fresh-water lake in Japan. There is an uninhabited island called Okinashima at Inawashiro Lake. A story about Okinashima exists according to an old Japanese legend. When Kobotaishi visited this area, he saw a female weaving clothes and begged for water but was rejected. So then, he goes to a different village and sees a poor female called Okina who is preparing rice by washing it with water. He asks Okina to share the water she is using to prepare the rice, and she kindly gives him water. The next day, Mt. Bandaisan erupted and made 52 villages collapse. All villages and houses sunk into the basin of the lake except for one house which was the house of Okina who gave water to Kobotaishi. The house later became an island named after her and was called Okinashima.

1. 
   The lake that swans migrate to every year, Inawashiroko
2. 
   Inawashiroko lake
3. 
   Boat ride in Inawashiroko lake

Ouchijuku

Ouchijuku is a shukuba (post town) in Aizu city, Fukushima Prefecture. The old townscape is well kept and ranked as the third most important preserved district with traditional buildings and structures in Japan. Ouchijuku is highly recommended as a tourist hotspot where visitors can get a feel of living in the Edo period.

1. 
   Ouchijuku
2. 
   Ouchijuku street
3. 
   Surrounded by nature

Hotel

• Shosuke no Yado Takino Yu

Include

1. Round trip Bullet train
2. 2nights Hotel accommodations
3. Breakfast and Dinner
4. Rent-a-car *We will set up GPS for your destinations*

Not Include

1. Service which is not on Itinerary
2. Travel insurance.

CANCELLATION POLICY

CANCELLATION DAY	CANCELLATION CHARGE
BEFORE 21DAYS OR MORE	¥0
BEFORE 20 - 8DAYS	20%OF TOUR FEE
BEFORE 7 - 2 DEPARTURE DATE	30%OF TOUR FEE
BEFORE 1DAY	40%OF TOUR FEE
DEPARTURE DATE	50%OF TOUR FEE
NO SHOW OR DELAY	100% NON REFOUNDABLE

*Important notice

1. All the tour spots on the itinerary are an example.
2. Cancellation charge is decided by business days.
3. Tsuruga jo Castle is under repair through spring 2011, although allowed entry to inside

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