5 Autumn Leaf Spots in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima, Late October to Early November

As the season that autumn leaf travellers wait for every year arrives, Aizu-Wakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture, in Japan's Tohoku region, is preparing to welcome visitors to five autumn foliage spots that combine the history of a samurai city with nature, from late October to early November this year. Fukushima is Japan's third largest prefecture. It is only one and a half hours from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen and lies between Nikko and Sendai, making it easy to plan a continuous touring route.

Historic castle and temple in the samurai city

The first stop is Tsuruga Castle, the symbol of Aizu-Wakamatsu and the only castle in Japan that still keeps its traditional red roof tiles. It was once the stronghold of the Aizu samurai clan. In the autumn foliage season, the area around the castle is coloured by the red and orange of maple leaves. Within the grounds there is also an old tea room called Rinkaku, where visitors can admire the architecture while drinking matcha green tea with Japanese sweets.

Another spot notable for its architecture is Sazaedo Temple, a hexagonal wooden temple more than 200 years old on Iimoriyama hill. Its highlight is a double spiral staircase, the only one of its kind in the world, on which the way up and the way down do not cross. It is recognised as an important cultural property of Japan, and is also a panoramic viewpoint over Aizu-Wakamatsu covered in warm-toned maple and ginkgo leaves.

The cat stationmaster's railway station and an ancient herb garden

For animal lovers, Ashinomakionsen Station is not to be missed. This classic wooden station has been in operation since 1927, and its highlight is a cat that serves as stationmaster. There are currently three cats taking turns on duty. In the autumn foliage season, both sides of the railway turn orange-red, contrasting with the local train, making it a photo spot that offers both scenery and a chance to meet the stationmaster cat.

Next is Oyakuen Garden, an ancient Japanese garden from the Muromachi period, which the Matsudaira clan once used as a retreat and to grow medicinal herbs to treat the townspeople. In the autumn foliage season, the maple leaves in the garden gradually change from green to golden yellow flecked with orange. Visitors can stroll leisurely around the pond, with matcha green tea and Japanese sweets served in a room once used by Japanese nobles for relaxation.

A ryokan by the gorge that inspired a famous anime

The final stop is Ookawaso, a well-known onsen ryokan beside the gorge and the Okawa River. It stands out for its shamisen performance stage in the middle of the hall, which is said to be one of the inspirations for the Infinity Castle scene in the anime Demon Slayer. It is so popular that even Japanese guests have to compete to book. Visitors can watch the shamisen performance every evening, along with soaking in an open-air onsen amid the autumn foliage views.

This news is of interest to tour operators and organisers planning trips to Japan for the end of the year, to travellers who enjoy following samurai history combined with nature, and to hotel and ryokan professionals along the Tohoku route who need to prepare for the peak autumn foliage season.