FUKUSHIMA Aizu-Wakamatsu Famous for its traditional crafts and the intense loyalty of its samurai

Set in a beautiful valley, Aizu-Wakamatsu offers onsen, a castle, and well-preserved traditional townscapes. The area is also famous for its lacquerware. It was the last stronghold of the samurai at the end of the 19th century, and there is much to see of this history.

Reach Aizu-Wakamatsu via shinkansen from Tokyo in just under three hours, or from Fukushima via Koriyama in one and a half hours.

If using this route, you will need to change trains at Koriyama before continuing on to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.

For travel within the city, you can purchase a 600 yen one-day pass for the Haikara-san and Akabe sightseeing buses which depart from Aizuwakamatsu Station. Buses take a loop around the major tourist sites.

Encircled by mountain ranges, Aizu-Wakamatsu is known as the land of the samurai. It was one of the last strongholds of the Edo period (1603-1868) and clashed with the Meiji government forces during the brutal Boshin War (1868-1869).

Many of the main sights of Aizu-Wakamatsu are located on the Aizu Loop Bus route. These include Tsuruga Castle , the seat of the lords of Aizu, situated in the Tsurugajo Park . Once a site of fierce fighting, the park is now a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, and hosts a charming candle festival in winter.

At Mt Iimori , a memorial commemorates the 19 members of the Byakkotai (White Tiger Brigade), a group of teenage samurai who committed ritual suicide during the Boshin War. While you're there, climb the temple of Sazaedo, known as the "turban shell" temple, with its unique double-helix staircase, and maybe gain some good karma in the process.

The restored Aizu Bukeyashiki is one of the most complete mansions of its kind. Stroll through Oyakuen, a royal medicinal garden first established in the 14th century. You can see many medicinal herbs growing along the garden paths that wind around the lake, then stop at the tea house for a healthy brew.

Just ten minutes from the city center by car or taxi, you will find the rejuvenating Aizu Higashiyama Onsen , with ryokan and hotels providing private and public hot springs. Enjoy the elegant, historical bathhouses by the river, and the teahouses where geisha once entertained and enchanted lords, samurai and poets. Local geisha, or geigi still perform at festivals and hot spring resorts in the area.

Aizu-Wakamatsu is known for its own particular arts and crafts, such as its unique style of lacquerware (Aizu-nuri), with delicate, handpainted motifs.

The area is also known for maki-e, a method of brushing on designs with gold and silver powder. You can visit some of the shops which run these workshops and take home your own maki-e souvenir.

Pottery is also a significant industry here, and you can buy some to take home with you or make your own. Munakata climbing kiln is a pottery kiln that is built into the side of a mountain and has various chambers within it. When it's not in use, you can take a tour through it.

You can try Aizu cuisine at many traditional restaurants, some of which have been around for hundreds of years. Since the region is surrounded by mountains, the local food is centered around dried and preserved seafood and mountain vegetables. If you have a sweet tooth, try tempura manju, a deep-fried bun stuffed with sweetened azuki beans.

Aizu also has a proud sake tradition, and you can visit some of the breweries and take a tour with samples of some of the locally produced sake. One such place is the famous Suehiro Sake Brewery, conveniently located on the Aizu Loop Bus route.

Further out from Aizu-Wakamatsu are several regions of interest. You can explore the postcard-perfect Ouchi-juku town, where thatched-roof houses line the main street. Or visit Kitakata and take a walking tour of the city's kura, or traditional Japanese warehouses, and sample some soul-warming Kitakata ramen.

Experience the stunning nature on offer in the Urabandai region, where volcanic forces have blessed the land with multi-colored lakes. Or go extreme on some of the best skiing that Japan has to offer on the slopes of Mt. Bandai .