Tōhoku Region

Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima

Taroyaki Sohonpo in Nanokamachi in Fukushima, Aizu-Wakamatsu’s Best Retro Sweet Shop

Taroyaki Sohonpo: Aizu-Wakamatsu’s Best Retro Sweet Shop

Are you after some cheap traditional snacks in Aizu-Wakamatsu? Visit Tarōyaki Sōhonpo (太郎焼総本舗) for its nostalgic atmosphere and its local sweet treat! It is a fantastic spot to take a relaxing break, enjoy a budget-friendly treat (pastries are typically around ¥130–¥160 each), and soak in the retro charm of Nanukamachi. Whether it is the standard […]

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Taro-an, Where to Get the Most Sought-After Sweets in Aizu-Wakamatsu

Taro-an: Discovering the Ultimate Travel Souvenirs in Aizu

When traveling through Fukushima’s historic Aizu region, discovering the local culinary heritage is just as essential as exploring its samurai roots. Sitting at the heart of this vibrant food scene is Okaishi no Kura Tarō-an (お菓子の蔵 太郎庵). This celebrated local confectionery has been sweetening the community since 1979. Combining traditional Japanese flavors with contemporary Western-style

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Nagatoya Top Seller Bite-Size Fig Traditional Sweets, Haruka

Aizu Confectionery Guide: Nanukamachi’s Best Sweet Shops

Stepping onto the charming, retro streets of Nanukamachi in Aizu-Wakamatsu feels like taking a delicious step back in time. Renowned for its beautifully preserved Edo and Taisho-period architecture, this historic merchant avenue is also the ultimate paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth. The neighborhood’s rich culinary heritage is kept alive by a collection of

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Nagatoya Shop Front, Nanukamachi's Must-Visit Traditional Sweets Maker

Nagatoya: Must-Visit Traditional Sweets in Aizu-Wakamatsu

In the nostalgic, historic streets of Nanukamachi in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Nagatoya (会津長門屋 七日町店) is one of the top traditional confectionery makers in town. Their Nanukamachi shop, located on Nanukamachi-dōri Street, opened in 2011. Founded in 1848, this legendary sweets maker has spent over 170 years blending samurai-era tradition with innovative, modern artistry. Whether you are a

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Nakasuka-Coast-Tanesashi-Hachinohe-Aomori-Japan

Tanesashi Coast Guide: Hachinohe Hiking & Vegan Travel Tips

Looking for a breathtaking coastal escape in northern Japan that perfectly balances wild nature with plant-based travel? Look no further than the Tanesashi Coast (種差海岸) in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. Serving as the stunning northern terminus of the famous Michinoku Coastal Trail, this scenic 12-kilometer stretch of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park (三陸復興國立公園) features everything from

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Aizu Ichibankan and Noguchi Hideyo Museum in Nanukamachi Fukushima Japan

Aizu Ichibankan: The Historic Aizu Cafe & the 1,000 Yen Note

Tucked away in the historic streets of Aizu-Wakamatsu, Café Aizu Ichibankan (會津壹番館) offers visitors the rare chance to literally sip coffee inside a piece of Japanese history. Housed in a beautifully preserved, Meiji-era Western-style brick building, this cozy coffee shop is much more than a retro local hangout. It is the former Kaiyō Clinic (會陽医院),

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Seki Lacquerware Aizu-Wakamatsu's Top Aizu Lacquerware Shop in Fukushima Japan

3 Best Places to Buy Authentic Aizu Lacquerware on Nanukamachi-dōri

Strolling down the historic, 100-year-old streets of Nanukamachi-dōri Street in Aizu-Wakamatsu feels like stepping back in time. If you want to experience this beautiful art form firsthand, there is no better destination than Nanukamachi-dōri Street in Aizu-Wakamatsu. This scenic stretch is lined with beautifully preserved architecture and home to some of the region’s finest Aizu

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Aizu-Wakamatsu Vegan Friendly Confectionery Maker and Cafe Kumanoya Nanukamachi

Kumanoya and Nanukamachi’s Famous Japanese Street Sweets

Strolling down the historic, century-old buildings of Nanukamachi-dōri Street in Aizu-Wakamatsu feels like stepping back in time, and no visit to this cultural hub is complete without experiencing its incredible food scene. Opened in 1887, Kumanoya Nanukamachi (菓子司 熊野屋 七日町店) is a beloved traditional confectionery maker famous for its vegan-friendly street-food-style Japanese sweets (wagashi). Unlike

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View of JR Tadami Line train crossing the First Tadami River Bridge in winter

Tadami Line: The Most Picturesque JR Local Train Line

Are you looking for a hidden gem that is too breathtaking to take your eyes off near Tokyo? While there are a couple of these spots, the one we love the most is the JR Tadami Line (只見線). It was chosen as Japan’s most scenic local train line. From the window of the local train

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Top Things to Do in Tadami Town Fukushima Japan

Tadami Town: Exploring Japan’s Best Hidden Gem Railway Town

Are you planning a trip along the historic JR Tadami Line and looking for the perfect stopover? Look no further than Tadami Town (只見町), Fukushima. Known affectionately as the “Capital of Nature,” this charming town in the Oku-Aizu region offers an authentic glimpse of rural Japanese life that most tourists miss entirely. From the challenging

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