Aizu Higanshishi

A castle was built here in 1593, but the current building is a concrete replica. During the end of the Edo Period, the Aizu soldiers were defeated after one month of fighting to defeat the castle. The new government (Meiji Period) destroyed the castle in 1874. In accordance with its original design, the castle was built again in 1965 - it is considered to symbolize the samurai culture of Aizuwakamatsu. The castle contains five stories, which serve as a local history museum. Each floor focuses on a theme - Buddhist memorabilia, antique lacquerware and pottery, the Boshin Civil War and the Byakkotai. The fifth floor serves as an observation platform from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire Aizu valley. Near the entrance to the castle grounds is a souvenir shop selling a variety of goods from the Aizu region, and in the spring, the castle grounds are filled with cherry blossoms. The castle lookout is a good place to envisage exile: Shiba Goro writer of Remembering Aizu left this place of his dreams with the other exiles of the Aizu culture who were made scapegoats for the resistance to the Meiji restoration. Amazon Books has had extensive extracts for free from Remembering Aizu if you want a sample.

Built in 1670 as a garden for a teahouse for the lords of Aizu. The garden is well known for growing medicinal herbs - around 400 kinds of herbs are still grown.

Prefectural museum of natural history, history and culture.

A former school of the Aizu Clan built in 1803. Known as a "samurai school", the boys who attended had lessons in academics, martial arts, and culture in order to make them proper moral citizens and soldiers. Some of the byakkotai boys who fought in the Boshin War were students here. It has been converted into a museum where you can learn about daily life at the school. Visitors can participate in a variety of experiences reminiscent of what the boys might have studied, such as archery, zen meditation, and tea ceremony lessons, along with more modern activities, such as painting Akabeko and Okiagari Koboshi. Some activities require reservations, which can be made on their website (Japanese only).

A preserved samurai estate featuring a teahouse, magistrate's office, a warehouse, and a rice mill in addition to the Aizu chief retainer's house. There is also a restaurant and a gift shop, and visitors can participate in a variety of hands-on activities throughout the year.