5 Photogenic Buildings and Townscapes of Fukushima | Instagram-Worthy Retro Architecture and Castle Recommendations

In Fukushima Prefecture, where history and nature intersect, there are many buildings and townscapes that make you want to instantly press the shutter. This time, we have carefully selected and introduce 5 "photogenic spots" that are also a hot topic on Instagram. Grab your camera and go capture Fukushima's beautiful scenery!

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1. Tsuruga Castle (Aizuwakamatsu City)

When it comes to the symbol of Aizu, it has to be Tsuruga Castle. The combination of the snow-white keep and red roof tiles creates a one-of-a-kind beauty.

Photogenic point: The collaboration of cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage in fall with the keep is breathtaking. In particular, early mornings when morning mist hangs in the air create a fantastical atmosphere.

Best shooting time/season: The golden time is spring (early April) around 6 to 7 a.m. The keep lit by cherry blossoms and the morning sun looks just like a painting.

Recommended angle: Looking up at the keep from along the inner moat is the standard composition. Framing in a cherry blossom branch in the foreground creates depth.

Access: About 10 minutes by bus from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station. Get off at "Tsurugajo Iriguchi," right there.

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2. Ouchi-juku (Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District)

A miraculous village where an Edo-period post town remains exactly as it was. The sight of thatched-roof houses lined up lets you feel as if you have time-slipped.

Photogenic point: The unified rows of thatched roofs and the small stream flowing through the center create a picturesque composition.

Best shooting time/season: The snowy scenery of winter (January to February) is of exceptional beauty. Visiting early in the morning means fewer tourists, letting you have the fantastical snow-covered post town all to yourself.

Recommended angle: A bird's-eye shot from the elevated ground overlooking the village is the strongest. The entire view of the post town fits in one frame for maximum impact.

Access: About 15 minutes by taxi from "Yunokami Onsen Station" on the Aizu Railway.

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3. Former Horikiri Residence (Fukushima City)

A historic structure built by a wealthy merchant in the Meiji and Taisho eras. The building, with its blend of Japanese and Western designs, is an irresistible space for retro lovers.

Photogenic point: The contrast between white walls and wooden architecture, and the light streaming in through lattice windows, create beautiful silhouettes inside the rooms.

Best shooting time/season: From 2 to 4 p.m., light streams in through the windows and the interior glows golden. The autumn foliage season is also recommended.

Recommended angle: Taking a portrait with the light through the lattice window as a background results in a retro and refined shot.

Access: About 10 minutes by car from JR Fukushima Station.

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4. Townscape Around Miharu Takizakura (Miharu Town, Tamura District)

Miharu Town, home to "Miharu Takizakura," one of Japan's three great cherry trees, also charms with a townscape that retains the vestiges of a castle town. Streets lined with white-walled storehouses and stone paving look just like a movie set.

Photogenic point: The calm tones of the storehouses' white walls and stone paving create a retro, stylish atmosphere.

Best shooting time/season: During the cherry blossom season (early April), the whole town is dyed pink, providing the best backdrops. On cloudy days the colors photograph evenly, creating a serene mood.

Recommended angle: Shooting down the stone-paved road into the distance with a "depth composition" captures photos full of travel sentiment.

Access: About 40 minutes by bus from JR Koriyama Station. Get off at "Miharu Eigyosho."

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5. To no Hetsuri (Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District)

Natural sculptural beauty formed over about one million years. The landscape of strange rock formations in a row looks like an "architectural structure" created by nature, radiating an overwhelming presence.

Photogenic point: The contrast between the emerald-green Aga River and the reddish rock walls is a breathtaking beauty. The scene of crossing the suspension bridge is also picturesque.

Best shooting time/season: The combination of autumn (October to November) foliage and the strange rocks is overwhelming. The morning light beautifully illuminates the rock faces.

Recommended angle: A composition looking down at the river from atop the suspension bridge, or a wide shot capturing the suspension bridge together with the strange rocks from the opposite bank, is recommended.

Access: About a 5-minute walk from "To no Hetsuri Station" on the Aizu Railway.

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Fukushima Prefecture condenses a diverse range of photogenic spots, from historic buildings to spectacular scenery created by nature. By visiting with an awareness of the season and time of day, you should be able to capture a special shot that no one else has. Please take your camera in hand and share the beauty of Fukushima!

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