Introduce main tourist spots in Aizu.

Sazaedo was built on Mt. Hanseizan in 1796. It is an unusual, hexagonal, three-story temple that is 16.5 m tall. Just as with Tsuruga Castle, it is a symbolic tourist attraction in Aizu-Wakamatsu and is usually packed with tourists. Sazaedo has a double-helix structure, whereby the walkway up and walkway down are entirely different routes, making it a one-way path. It uses an architectural style, which is rare in the world, that allows worshipers to safely pray without having to double back and pass each other. It has been recognized as historically unique architecture, and in 1996 it was designated as an important national cultural property.

Tsuruga Castle is a famous Japanese castle with a tower meant to evoke the shape of a crane. It has the only castle tower roofed in red tile in Japan. Rebuilt in 1965, it was restored using traditional Edo era methods and techniques in 2001, and is a symbol of Aizu and a popular tourist attraction for visitors from throughout Japan and around the world. Starting at noon, you can try ringing the Tsuruga Castle bell for yourself with the help of a volunteer guide. You can also enjoy green tea and Japanese sweets at the Rinkaku Tearoom, which is said to have been built by the historic tea ceremony master, Shoan, the son of Sen no Rikyu.

Kitakata is known as "the city of kura", which means traditional warehouses. Many tourists come to see the over 4,200 kura that still remain here and continue to give the townscape a traditional aesthetic. These kura were the ideal type of building for brewing, in an area that was blessed with high quality water and rice. These kura were also the crystallization of the dreams of men who would build their own kura, which would become a source of passionate pride for them. The Kitakata kura are not uniform; they range from white to black plaster, stucco, and brick with a variety of door styles.

Shingu Kumano Shrine, built in 1055, prospered as the guardian shrine of the Shingu clan, which reigned over the western portion of the Aizu basin. The shrine also includes the Nagatoko building, an important national cultural property. Nagatoko is a magnificent worship hall with a colonnade that overwhelms visitors and is truly worth seeing. It is built in the thatched roof style with 44 columns and has a splendid colonnade with no doors or windows. There is also an enormous, beautiful, 800-year-old ginkgo tree in the precincts. Many tourists come to see the scenes of Nagatoko throughout the four seasons.

On the north side of Mt. Bandai, in Urabandai, there are dozens of lakes, large and small, called "Goshikinuma" that have been designated as the Bandai Asahi National Park. The various colors of these lakes range from red to yellow and blue and many tourists come to see them. There are hiking trails to enjoy the views in this rich nature, so it is recommended that you take time to experience it.

This is the largest lake in the center of the Bandai plateau. It was formed naturally by mud flowing from the eruption of Mt. Bandai and damming up the valley. It is said to have a circumference of 31.5 km. There are walking trails, pleasure boats, and campsites to enjoy the nature of the Bandai plateau. There is fun to be had in all four seasons, with smelt fishing in winter when the lake freezes over and bass fishing in the summer. Enjoy an active experience in the vast nature of Aizu.

Ouchi-Juku is a secluded post town in the mountains that has existed since the Edo era, containing over 30 thatched roof houses. Visiting Ouchi-Juku gives you the sense that you have fallen back in time. Since you can enjoy not only the scenery, but exchanges with warmhearted shopkeepers, this town allows you to feel the humanity of Aizu. Over 1 million tourists visit ever year, making it one of the top two most popular tourist attractions in Fukushima Prefecture. In February, Ouchi-Juku holds a snow festival, illuminated by fantastic snow lanterns, creating a scene that is not to be missed.

To-no-Hetsuri is a strangely-shaped rock formation created over the course of thousands of years of weathering and erosion. The gorge, created naturally over many years was named "To-no-Hetsuri," which means a cliff lined with tower-like shapes. Hetsuri is a word that means "cliff" in the local dialect. There are suspension bridges to the tower-shaped rocks, and you can even go inside part of the cliff. The To-no-Hetsuri towers are named various things based on their shapes. You can stroll along these towering cliffs and enjoy their natural beauty. In particular, the early summer views with wisteria flowers weaving their way through white rock faces give this spot superb views. (211)

This shrine boasts a 2,000 year history of watching over Aizu. It offers blessings for prosperity in business, good harvests, and warding off of bad luck. The shrine's treasury and entire precincts have been designated as natural cultural properties for the prefecture. In addition to the shrine, there are many natural monuments to see, such as the Usuzumi cherry tree, one of the five great cherry trees of Aizu, and the Shoryu wisteria. Every year in July, there is a rice planting festival, where the techniques used in the middle ages can be seen on display to this day. It is also famous for an iris festival, held from June to July, which boasts 100,000 irises in bloom. (203)

The Sakudari Kannon, which stands atop a cliff face, is a Buddhist kannon statue erected over 1,000 years ago in the Heian period. It is the 21st stop on the Aizu 33 Kannon tour. Inside the kannon hall, the Kubi-nashi Kannon is enshrined. This kannon, which was impressively constructed by cutting away at the rock from the middle of the mountain, is said to have a similar appearance to that of Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple. The view from the temple is truly magnificent, and will soothe the fatigue from your journey. In October 2014, it was designated as an important cultural property for the prefecture.

Choshi-no-Kuchi is a famous scenic spot in a canyon in Nishiaizu. Rocks protrude from both sides of the river, narrowing its wide expanse down to a few dozen meters. Your spirit will be moved by the sudden rapids and untouched nature. It is famous as a spot to view beautiful autumn foliage. Choshi-no-Kuchi offers fun activities, such as hiking and steam locomotive rides. Why not climb the path along the Agano river and enjoy the views as you pass through tunnels and across bridges?

Oyamazumi Shrine is over 1,000 years old. The main shrine is about four kilometers further along the mountain pass than the front shrine. Along the way, the path is lined with cedar trees that are over 400 years old. The tranquil tree-lined path, where you can almost hear the mountains themselves breathing, will soothe your spirit. The trip takes about one hour each way on foot. It is said that once in your life, you can make a wish come true by praying along this path for three years in a row. Nearly 300,000 people visit every year. The month-long Oyama Festival is held every June. There, worshipers gather from around the prefecture and throughout Japan to pray for good fortune, good water, irrigation, longevity, matchmaking, and safe childbirth. (197)

Shojo-ji Temple is famous as a typical temple of the Tohoku region, constructed in 807. The Wooden Seated Statue of the Healing Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai, symbolizes Aizu, a Buddhist town. The Nikko and Gekko statues to each side of it have both been designated as national treasures. There are about 30 Buddhist statues in Shojo-ji Temple, of which 12 date back to over 1,200 years ago. It is rare, even in Japan, for so many Buddhist statues to be preserved in one location. Here, you can feel the style and Japanese flow of time found in major temples. This is a place where you can try to encounter ancient Japanese Buddhism face to face.

Michi-no-eki Aizu (Aizu Road Station) is located in the center of the Aizu Basin. Here, you can buy fresh vegetables, flowers, and fruit from Aizu, as well as souvenirs. It is a place you are certain to want to visit when you buy souvenirs. It also houses locally produced milk, gelato made with local specialties, and a farm restaurant serving comfort food, so you can enjoy the tastes of Aizu. Since Michi-no-eki Aizu is a tourist information office where you can meet and interact with a variety of people, you should be sure to stop there along your journey.