Winter in Aizu - Tsuruga Castle & Ouchijuku 
Aizu has four distinct seasons. No matter which season you come, you can enjoy the changing and beautiful landscapes throughout the year. In winter, the city is covered with piles of snow, creating scenes of breathtaking beauty. This 1-day tour will deliver a wonderful experience to you by visiting the magnificent snow castle "Tsuruga Castle" and Ouchijuku, the post town during the Edo period. You may even have a chance to participate in the annual Ouchijuku Snow Festival which is held exclusively on 8 Feb and 9 Feb. 
Route

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station> Tsuruga Castle> Ouchijuku > Ashinomaki- Onsen / Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
Season

21 December, 2019 – 29 March, 2020  
＊ Ouchijuku Snow Festival will be held on 8 Feb (Sat) & 9 Feb (Sun)
Days
Daily
Tour Includes
Admission fees to the Tsuruga Castle, tour guide & lunch (Negi Soba)
Duration
4 hours 35 mins
Bus Company
Aizu Bus Co., Ltd.
Price
Adults
JPY 5,000
Child
JPY 4,000


Dep.11:10AM
Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 
11:20AM-12:20PM
Tsuruga Castle & its Main Tower (Tenshu)
1:20-2:40PM
Ouchijuku (lunch)  
Arr. 3:00PM
Ashinomaki- Onsen 
Arr. 3:45PM
Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
Tsuruga Castle
Trusuga castle survived over one-month battle during the Boshin War of 1868, and it gained a reputation of being an unassailable fortress.
The castle was rebuilt in 1965, and had its original red roof tiles restored in 2011. That being said that Tsuruga castle is the only castle in Japan today which features red roof tiles from the end of the Edo period. The white snows in winter contrast against the red roof tiles generating an exquisite photogenic scenery. 
Ouchijuku
Ouchijuku prospered during the Edo Period as a post station connecting Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture and Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. There remain more than 30 thatched roof houses, which now offer a variety of shops, restaurants and small traditional inns called minshuku. This spot still retains the atmosphere of the old days. 

Ouchijuku Snow Festival 
A 2-day event which is held only on 8 Feb and 9 Feb, 2020. The main street of the festival is filled with shops and food stalls and it is a perfect place to enjoy local delicacies and shop for souvenirs. In addition, shows and performance like traditional dances, noodle eating contests add much fun to the event

Negi Soba (Soba noodle with Japanese leek)
The Aizu region is famous for its buckwheat noodles and handmade soba is served at many restaurants in Ouchijuku. But what makes this Negi Soba unique is that a leek is used for eating instead of the usual chopsticks! 



Cancellation fee
JPY 100 per person before the departure time shown on your E-ticket. 
Note: If you don't show up for a service and fail to cancel the reservation prior to scheduled departure, you are considered a no-show and all money associated with the reservation is forfeited. 
Please cancel your reservation via “ Manage my Booking” Page of Japan Bus Online website at https://japanbusonline.com/BookInquiry before the specified deadline.
Important Notice 
・Tour guide service, lunch and admission fees are included in the tour price. 
・Tickets can be purchased on the day you travel at the Aizu Bus Tourist Information Center if there are available seats.
・Please allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
・Itineraries may change depending on weather and road conditions. 
・Bus leaves on time, and you are advised to be at the boarding location at least 10 minutes before the reserved departure time. 
・Please present your e-ticket on your mobile screen or a printed copy at the Aizu Bus Tourist Information Center to exchange it for a paper boarding pass before you travel.

Operating Bus Company
Aizu Bus Co., Ltd. Tel:  +81-242-22-5555, Business hours:  9AM-5:30PM
Please contact bus company directly for bus operations. 
You can make an inquiry to JapanBusOnline@ml.j-bus.co.jp customer support center, KOBO Co., Ltd relating to reservations and payment of tickets.


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