Ouchijuku is a beautifully preserved Edo-period post town, its single main street lined with thatched-roof buildings that once served travellers on the old Aizu-Nishi Kaido route between Aizu and Nikko. Today the village is a living museum of traditional rural Japan, with shops selling crafts and local food. Its most famous quirk is negi-soba — buckwheat noodles eaten using a single whole green onion (negi) instead of chopsticks, a tradition unique to Ouchijuku.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Shimogo, Fukushima |
| Hours | Village always open; shops ~9:00–16:00 |
| Admission | Free to walk; food/shopping extra |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time | Autumn (foliage); February (snow lantern festival) |
What to See
- A single street of thatched-roof Edo-period buildings.
- Negi-soba — noodles eaten with a whole green onion.
- Craft shops selling local pottery and textiles.
- A viewpoint above the village for a classic postcard photo.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Tsurugajo Castle sightseeing.
- Pair with a stop at Higashiyama Onsen .
- Read our Fukushima overview .
Getting There
- By train + bus: JR/Aizu Railway to Yunokami-Onsen Station, then local bus.
- By car: roughly 40 minutes from Aizu-Wakamatsu.
Tips
Walk up the hillside path behind the village for the classic elevated view over the thatched rooftops. Try eating negi-soba the traditional way — using the onion as a scoop — for the full experience.
