5 Photogenic Buildings and Townscapes of Fukushima

In Fukushima Prefecture, where history and nature intersect, there are many buildings and townscapes that make you want to instantly press the shutter. This article covers Tsurugajo Castle, Ouchijuku, Former Horikiri Residence, Townscape Around Miharu Takizakura and Tono no Hetsuri. Grab your camera and go capture Fukushima's beautiful scenery!

1. Tsurugajo Castle (Aizuwakamatsu City)

The symbol of Aizu is, without question, Tsurugajo. The combination of the white castle tower and red roof tiles creates a uniquely beautiful sight.

Photo appeal: The pairing of cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage in fall with the castle tower is breathtaking. The early morning when mist hangs in the air is especially ethereal.

Best shooting time and season: Early morning between 6 and 7 a.m. in spring (typically around mid-April) is the golden time. The castle tower bathed in cherry blossoms and morning sunlight looks just like a painting. Note that the castle tower opens at 8:30, so early morning visits are for exterior shots only.

Recommended angle: The classic composition is looking up at the castle tower from along the inner moat. Framing cherry blossom branches in the foreground adds depth.

Access: About 10 minutes by the Machinaka sightseeing bus and similar services from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station, get off at "Tsurugajo Iriguchi." Admission to the castle tower is ¥410 for adults (high school students and above) and ¥150 for children (elementary and middle school students), with free entry for preschoolers. Open 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30), no regular closing days.

2. Ouchijuku (Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District)

A post town that prospered as a resting point along the road connecting Aizuwakamatsu and Nikko-Imaichi during the Edo period, it was designated a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings in 1981 (Showa 56). The sight of thatched-roof farmhouses lined up in a row makes you feel as though you've slipped back in time. The buildings are still lived-in shops and residences today, and the scenery is preserved under the three principles of "don't sell, don't rent, don't demolish."

Photo appeal: The unified rows of thatched roofs and the water channels flowing on both sides of the old highway create a naturally picturesque composition.

Best shooting time and season: The snow-covered scenery in winter (January–February) is in a class of its own. Arriving early in the morning when tourists are few allows you to have the fantastical snow-covered post town almost entirely to yourself.

Recommended angle: The bird's-eye overhead shot looking down on the village from the elevated ground is the ultimate composition. The entire post town fits in a single frame for maximum impact.

Access: About 15 minutes by taxi from Aizu Railway "Yunokamionsen Station." Shops are generally open from around 9:00 to 16:00, though hours vary by store. By car, the parking lot is paid, and a portion of the fee goes toward landscape preservation and maintenance of the settlement.

3. Former Horikiri Residence (Iizaka Onsen, Fukushima City)

A historic mansion of a wealthy farmer and merchant family dating back to the Edo period. Built in 1775 (An'ei 4), it houses the "Jukken Kura," said to be the largest and oldest earthen storehouse in Fukushima Prefecture, as well as a main building in the modern Japanese style. Admission is free, open 9:00–21:00 (year-round). With a footbath and hand bath using natural spring water flowing directly from the source, it's an irresistible space for retro architecture enthusiasts.

Photo appeal: The contrast of white plaster walls and wooden architecture, and the light filtering through lattice windows, creates beautiful silhouettes inside the building.

Best shooting time and season: Open until 21:00, so the quiet evening hours from late afternoon onward are also worth targeting. The autumn foliage season is also recommended.

Recommended angle: Taking a portrait with the lattice window light as the backdrop produces a retro and refined image.

Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line "Iizaka Onsen Station." From JR Fukushima Station, it is about 25 minutes by the Iizaka Line to the terminal station.

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

Miharu Town, home to "Miharu Takizakura" — one of the Three Great Cherry Trees of Japan and a nationally designated natural monument — also has an attractive townscape retaining the atmosphere of a castle town. Streets dotted with white-walled storehouses look just like a movie set.

Photo appeal: The white plaster of the storehouses and the subdued tones of the townscape create a retro yet stylish atmosphere.

Best shooting time and season: During cherry blossom season (early April), the whole town turns pink, providing the most spectacular backdrop. On overcast days, colors render more evenly, lending a quietly atmospheric mood.

Recommended angle: Shooting along the street toward the back in a "depth composition" captures a photo full of travel atmosphere.

Access: From JR Koriyama Station, take the JR Ban'etsu East Line to "Miharu Station." From Miharu Station to Takizakura, it's about 20 minutes by taxi; a special bus "Takizakura-go" also runs during cherry blossom season.

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

A landscape shaped over approximately one million years by the erosion and weathering of the Okawa (Agano River), designated a national natural monument in 1943 (Showa 18). The line of strange rocks has an overwhelming presence, like a "building" created by nature itself.

Photo appeal: The contrast between the emerald-green Agano River and the reddish rock walls is breathtakingly beautiful. The scene of crossing the suspension bridge is also picturesque.

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

Recommended angle: Looking down at the river from on the suspension bridge, or a wide-angle shot from the opposite bank capturing both the bridge and the strange rocks together, is recommended. The rock face beyond the suspension bridge is narrow and slippery, so please do not lean over the railings.

Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Aizu Railway "Tono no Hetsuri Station." Viewing is free, but the suspension bridge (Fujimi Bridge) is closed during the snow season; in 2026, it reopened on March 16. If visiting in winter, please check the latest information from Shimogo Town.

Fukushima Prefecture is packed with diverse photo spots, from historic buildings to spectacular scenery shaped by nature. By being mindful of the season and time of day, you'll be able to capture truly special shots that no one else has. Grab your camera and share the beauty of Fukushima with the world!

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season and time of day: For Tsuruga Castle, the cherry blossoms of mid-April and the autumn foliage, in early morning light. For Ouchi-juku, the snowy scenery of January and February, and early morning. The former Horikiri Residence is open until 21:00, so evening and night visits work well too. Miharu is at its best with the cherry blossoms of early to mid-April, and To-no-Hetsuri with the autumn colours of October and November.
• Opening hours and seasons: The Tsuruga Castle keep is open 8:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30), with no closing days. The former Horikiri Residence is open 9:00-21:00, every day of the year. The shops in Ouchi-juku generally open from around 9:00 to around 16:00, though hours vary from shop to shop. To-no-Hetsuri can be visited all year round, but the suspension bridge (Fujimibashi) is closed during the snow season.
• Admission: The Tsuruga Castle keep costs 410 yen for adults (high school age and above) and 150 yen for children (elementary and junior high school students), and is free for pre-school children. Admission to the former Horikiri Residence is free of charge. Visiting To-no-Hetsuri is free of charge. The Miharu Takizakura cherry tree requires a viewing fee during the blossom season (fees are subject to revision, so please check Miharu Town's official information). At Ouchi-juku the car park is paid, and part of the fee goes towards preserving the landscape.
• Access: For Tsuruga Castle, take the town loop bus or similar from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station for about 10 minutes and get off at Tsurugajo Iriguchi, right by the site. Ouchi-juku is about 15 minutes by taxi from Yunokami Onsen Station on the Aizu Railway. The former Horikiri Residence is about a 5-minute walk from Iizaka Onsen Station on the Fukushima Transportation Iizaka Line (about 25 minutes from JR Fukushima Station on the Iizaka Line). For Miharu Town, take the Ban-etsu East Line from JR Koriyama Station to Miharu Station; the Takizakura is about 20 minutes by taxi from Miharu Station (during the blossom season there is a special Takizakura-go shuttle bus). To-no-Hetsuri is about a 5-minute walk from To-no-Hetsuri Station on the Aizu Railway.
• Parking: Ouchi-juku has a paid car park; bus parking is on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations, and the fee is paid in cash on the day. During the Miharu Takizakura blossom season, car parks and a free shuttle bus are provided.
• Photography rules: The thatched houses of Ouchi-juku are still lived in as homes and shops. Please refrain from entering the grounds or buildings without permission, and from taking photographs that capture residents' private lives. Some exhibits inside the Tsuruga Castle keep may have photography restrictions, so follow the signs on site.
• Safety notes: Reaching the hilltop viewpoint overlooking the village of Ouchi-juku involves climbing a steep flight of steps. In winter, snow and ice make it extremely slippery, so wear shoes with non-slip soles. Thatched roofs are vulnerable to fire, so open flames are strictly prohibited within the village. Along the rock face at To-no-Hetsuri the footing is narrow and slippery, so do not lean out over the handrails. Aizu and Minamiaizu get heavy snowfall in winter, so winter tyres are essential if you are driving.

Note: The Miharu Takizakura viewing fee and winter access conditions at Ouchi-juku and To-no-Hetsuri change from year to year. Please check the official information from each municipality and tourism association before you set out.

(Sources: official Tsuruga Castle website of the Aizuwakamatsu Tourism Bureau; official website of the Ouchi-juku Tourism Association; official information on the former Horikiri Residence from Fukushima City; official website of Shimogo Town, To-no-Hetsuri; Miharu Town and the Miharu Tourism Association)