In Aizu-Wakamatsu City, if you want to walk on a street lined with buildings from over a century ago, head to Nanukamachi-dōri Street (七日町通り). The 800-meter-long street stretching west from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅) was a busy street in Aizu from the Edo period to the early 20th century. Historical warehouses and Western-style buildings are carefully preserved. While the street isn’t as lively as before, there is no doubt that it is where you can discover Aizu’s culture. Moreover, there are a few spots related to the members of the famous samurai group, Shinsengumi, in the area!
Table of Contents
- About Nanukamachi Town
- Where to Shop for Souvenirs on Nanukamachi-dōri Street
- The Recommended Cafes and Restaurants in Nanukamachi
- Nanukamachi Station and the Eki Café (駅カフェ)
- Nanukamachi Information Center (七日町観光案内所)
- Tsurunoe Sake Brewery (鶴乃江酒造)
- Shōwa Nostalgia Museum (昭和なつかし館)
- Fukunishi Honten (福西本店)
About Nanukamachi Town
Nanukamachi Town was created in 1590 as a part of the planning of castle town of the Tsuruga Castle (鶴ヶ城). It was a Chōnin-machi (町人町) where merchants and craftsmen lived. Because a market was held on the 7th of each month in the Edo period, the town was named Nanuka (七日).
Although Nanukamachi has become a tourist destination, it was destroyed in the Aizu War at the end of the Edo period. After being defeated, the Aizu Domain’s samurais were forced to relocate to Aomori so they couldn’t revive their hometown.
The merchants and townspeople who were left behind rebuilt Nanukamachi. Ironically, the new army that later became the Meiji Government contributed largely to the town’s reconstruction.
Because of the late 19th century history, Nanukamachi has a few spots related to the Shinsengumi. If you are a fan of Hijikata Toshizō (土方歳三), you would want to take a photo of the stone monument of the Shimizuya Ryokan (清水屋旅館跡). It was the ryokan that he stayed during the Aizu war. A couple more important historical figures, including Yoshida Shōin (吉田松陰), Mori Ōgai (森鴎外), and Niijima Jyō (新島襄), also stayed at Shimizuya Ryokan when they were in Aizu.
If Saitō Hajime (斎藤一) earned your respect, his grave can be found at Amidaji Temple (阿弥陀寺).
Where to Shop for Souvenirs on Nanukamachi-dōri Street
Because there are many shops on and near Nanukamachi-dōri Street if you don’t have time to check them out one by one, refer to our Recommended Shops on Nanukamachi-dōri Street article for our top picks!
The Recommended Cafes and Restaurants in Nanukamachi
A break is a must while traveling to rejuvenate. The great news is that Nanukamachi has several good spots to stop by and enjoy food made from locally harvested ingredients. Don’t underestimate the cooking skills of the chef in the rural area. The food that is brought to the table is incredible!
For more information about where to eat in town, see our article on The Recommended Cafes and Restaurants in Nanukamachi!
Nanukamachi Station and the Eki Café (駅カフェ)
Walking on Nanukamachi-dōri Street, filled with various shops selling traditional craftworks and cafes, allows you to explore Aizu’s traditional culture. If you don’t have time to check them out one by one, the Eki Café inside Nanukamachi Station is where you can source the specialties from the 17 municipalities of Aizu.
Tip: The sightseeing bus, Haikara-san (ハイカラさん), stops by the main tourist spots in the area, including Nanukamachi-dōri Street.
Nanukamachi Information Center (七日町観光案内所)
Before exploring a destination, stopping by the tourist information center is always a good idea.
Nanukamachi Information Center is just a 1-mintute walk from JR Nanukamachi Station. In addition to offering tourist information in the area and bus timetables, you can get a 1-Day ticket (1日フリー乗車券) for the sightseeing bus, Haikara-san.
- The luggage storage service is available during the information center’s opening hours and costs 300 yen each.
- Nanukamachi Information Center is open from Thursday to Tuesday
- 10 am to 4 pm from December to March
Tip: Amidaji Temple, where Saitō Hajime’s grave is, is opposite Nanukamachi Information Center.
Tsurunoe Sake Brewery (鶴乃江酒造)
Looking for local sake? Head to Tsurunoe Sake Brewery. It is one of the few sake brewery that represents Aizu-Wakamatsu City. With a history of over 200 years, the brewery’s sake is highly rated in various occasions. Its impressive award history is showcased on the board at the entrance. The Junmai Daiginjō, Yuri (純米大吟醸「ゆり」) made by Tsurunoe Sake Brewery, was even served to President Trump at a dinner party hosted by the then Japanese Prime Minister in 2017!
Aizu Chūjō (会津中将), introduced to the market in 1977, is another top seller. It has a fruity aftertaste that lingers. In Japanese history, Aizu Chūjō is the official rank of founder of the Aizu Domain. Apparently, the sake was named Aizu Chūjō with the hope that it could represent the Tōhoku region, just like the Aizu Domain’s founder.
If sake isn’t your thing, you can check out their fermented foods range!
Tip: Sake-tasting is possible upon request. The staff is friendly and patient, regardless whether they are busy or not.
About Tsurunoe Sake Brewery
Tsurunoe Sake Brewery was founded in 1794 after separating from the Eihōya (永宝屋一族), who was the head of Aizu Domain’s purveyor. The head of the Hayashi family has inherited the name Heihachirō (平八郎) from generation to generation and continues to make sake using traditional manufacturing methods. The sake is brewed using rice and yeast from Fukushima Prefecture and has a refreshing aftertaste.
Taking advantage of the delicate consideration unique to females, the taste of Yuri created by the eldest daughter, Yuri, and her mother, is rather smooth.
Tsurunoe Sake Brewery’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Tsurunoe Sake Brewery is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm except for New Year’s Day.
- The sake brewery is a 6-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
Shōwa Nostalgia Museum (昭和なつかし館)
For those who want to know what Nanukamachi looked like in the 1950s to 1960s, head to the Shōwa Nostalgia Museum. As you step into the museum on the second floor, you walk into the early Shōwa period. Streets from over half a century ago have been recreated inside the building. It is the best place to feel the Japanese still had a high spirit despite being poor after World War II.
The alley is dimly lit, reminiscent of sunset time. The street is lined with sushi restaurants, tobacco shops, public baths, photo studios, electricity shops, and more. From the windows, you could also clearly see the furnishing in private houses at the time. The older generation would surely feel nostalgic when seeing the black-and-white television in the living room.
Tip: Remember to print out the Coupon for a 10% discount on admission fee. It can also be used in the sister facility, Coffee-kan Kura (珈琲館 蔵).
Apparently, different rooms of the private residence were recreated based on the curator’s childhood home. The stains on the ceiling and walls, as well as other wear and tear, were all handmade by the curator. In fact, all the shops in the museum existed back then. The curator was a customer of or had a relationship with all of them!
If you find anything in the museum that interests you, similar items might be on sale in the antique store on the ground floor.
Shōwa Nostalgia Museum’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Shōwa Nostalgia Museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
- The admission fee is 250 yen.
- The shop is an 11-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
- If you plan to take a bus, get off at Nanukamachi Shirokiya-mae (七日町白木屋前).
Fukunishi Honten (福西本店)
While traditional buildings can be seen across Nanukamachi-dōri Street, the one to check out is Fukunishi Honten. The Fukunishi family was the wealthiest merchant in Aizu-Wakamatsu (会津若松) from the Edo period to early 20th century, and Fukushini Honten was there base completed around a century ago. Currently, it is open to the public as a museum with a souvenir shop and gallery attached. It is your chance to examine a proper traditional complex in detail and feel how much power and wealth the merchant had. You can tour the storehouses, tea room, living space, and artistic furniture that still retains its original Aizu charm.
Fukunishi Honten has black plaster walls. It is said that the black walls ward off misfortune and protect the family from evil spirits. Don’t underestimate this black plaster. It required extremely advanced techniques to add pine smoke ink to plaster and polish the entire wall to an even jet black color.
For more information about what you can expect to see inside each building, refer to Fukunishi Honten’s website.
Tip: A multilingual translation app is available on staff’s mobile devices for overseas tourists.
Fukunishi Honten’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Fukunishi Honten is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
- The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
- It closes early at 4 pm in winter.
- The admission fee is
- 500 yen for adults
- 200 yen for high school students
- 100 yen for elementary school students
- Fukunishi Honten is a 15-minute walk from Nanukamachi Station (七日町駅).
Discover the Stunning Scenery Along the Tadami Line
The Nanukamachi-dōri Street, where Hoshiban Decorated Candle Shop is located, is the starting point of Japan’s most stunning train line, the Tadami Line. From the local train’s window, which runs through the mountains, breathtaking natural views unfold one after another throughout the year. Several tourist spots worth checking out are also dotted along the Tadami Line, enriching your visit to Japan’s rural towns.
So, refer to our Tadami Line article for more information on expanding your itinerary to include a couple of scenic spots!
