My experience visiting Ouchijuku

#1月好去地方2025 This visit to Ouchijuku gave me a deeper experience of the traditional Japanese post station culture. Ouchijuku is located in Fukushima Prefecture. It was once an important post station connecting Aizu and Nikko during the Edo period. Today it has become a well-preserved historical village that showcases the streetscape of the Edo period. As soon as you step into Ouchi-juku, you will see traditional buildings with thatched roofs on both sides. The atmosphere is completely different from that of modern cities, making you feel like you have traveled back in time to ancient times. There are many shops, tea houses and traditional craft shops on both sides of the streets in the village, selling local specialties such as Aizu lacquerware, handicrafts and various Japanese confectionery. Among them, the most special one is "Takato Soba", a dish of soba noodles that is eaten with green onions instead of chopsticks. It not only has a unique taste, but also provides an interesting dining experience. In addition to tasting the delicious food, I also climbed up the small hill behind the village and overlooked the entire Ouchijuku from a high altitude. Viewed from this angle, the neatly arranged thatched houses and green hills complement each other, creating a tranquil and historic picture. The winter here is even more unique, with snow covering the roofs, just like a fairy tale world. This trip to Ouchijuku not only allowed me to feel the charm of traditional Japanese culture, but also made me cherish these well-preserved historical sites even more. In this era of rapid modernization, it is truly precious to have a place like this where people can slow down and reminisce about the past. If I have the chance, I hope to visit again in different seasons to experience the beautiful scenery and customs of Ouchijuku in different seasons.