Where should I go on day 2 of a three-day Fukushima trip?

Day 1 — Tsurugajo visit and a night in Aizu-Wakamatsu

See the red-tiled castle up close and learn Aizu's history through exhibits inside the keep. On arrival day, first check how much time remains for your visit. Keep admission closes at 4:30 p.m., and there are stairs inside. For an approximately 90-minute visit before the 5:00 p.m. closing time, enter by 3:30 p.m. Entering at the last admission time leaves less than 90 minutes. Shorten outdoor walking in snow or heavy rain. The day's partial cost is ¥910: keep admission ¥410 plus two bus rides totaling ¥500. Rinkaku Tea House is not included.

1. Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → Tsurugajo Iriguchi

   Take Haikarasan from outside the station and get off at Tsurugajo Iriguchi. Use your travel date's weekday or holiday timetable to choose a service arriving before the keep's entry cutoff. For about 90 minutes inside, include the roughly five-minute walk from the stop and choose a bus that lets you enter by 3:30 p.m.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Haikarasan weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08

2. Tsurugajo Iriguchi → Tsurugajo Castle → return bus stop

   Walk about five minutes to the castle and allow about 90 minutes for the keep exhibits and surroundings. Check the entry cutoff, stairs, and snow or rain conditions.

   Official Aizu tourism: Tsurugajo admission, hours, stairs, and five-minute walk from bus stop2026-10-08

3. Tsurugajo Iriguchi Akabe stop → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

   Board at the Aizu-Wakamatsu-bound Akabe stop; Akabe loops in the opposite direction. Back at the station, eat dinner nearby or near your hotel.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Akabe weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08Aizu Bus: loop directions, current ¥250 single/¥700 one-day fare; check revised PDFs for date-specific times2026-10-08

Day 2 — Transfer at Yunokami Onsen for an Ouchi-juku round trip

Walk the street lined with thatched houses in Ouchi-juku. Get off the train at Yunokami Onsen Station and transfer to Saruyugo outside the station. Passengers who reserve by the previous day have priority on both outbound and return buses, so inquire ahead about your preferred services. Match trains and buses for your visit date before choosing the round trip.

The ¥2,200 combined discount ticket includes one railway round trip between Nishi-Wakamatsu and Yunokami Onsen plus two days of unlimited Saruyugo use. Starting at Aizu-Wakamatsu adds two ¥200 fares outside the coverage area, for ¥2,600 total. This is for regular trains; special sightseeing-train seat tickets are separate. Buy the combined ticket ahead at the travel desk inside Aizu-Wakamatsu Station or at Yunokami Onsen Station's counter. Yunokami Onsen's staffed counter operates 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Allow time for ticket purchase and moving to your boarding point, and check for temporary counter changes before departure.

1. Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → Yunokami Onsen Station

   Take a regular train toward Aizu Railway and get off at Yunokami Onsen Station. Exit the ticket gate and go to the Saruyugo boarding point outside. Distinguish arrival and departure times in your visit date's railway timetable and choose a train leaving enough time to transfer to the bus.

   Aizu Railway: regular-train timetable revised March 14, 2026, with departures and arrivals distinguished2026-10-08

2. Outside Yunokami Onsen Station → Ouchi-juku entrance

   Board Ouchi-juku-bound Saruyugo outside the station and get off at Ouchi-juku's entrance. Passengers reserving by the previous day have priority, so inquire ahead about your desired round trip.

   Aizu Railway 2026 brochure: Saruyugo times, reservation priority, and combined-ticket conditions2026-10-08

3. Ouchi-juku entrance → Thatched-house street and lunch → Ouchi-juku entrance bus stop

   Explore the village, eat lunch at an open shop, and return to the bus stop. Check your chosen shops' operating days and add separate costs for meals or individual exhibition halls.

   Ouchi-juku Tourism Association: individual shop operations, monthly calendars, and visiting guidance around 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.2026-10-08

4. Ouchi-juku entrance → Yunokami Onsen Station

   Board Yunokami Onsen-bound Saruyugo at the same Ouchi-juku entrance stop. If the bus fills up or traffic causes delays, first check the next bus and connecting return train.

   Aizu Railway 2026 brochure: Saruyugo times, reservation priority, and combined-ticket conditions2026-10-08

5. Yunokami Onsen Station → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

   Transfer to an Aizu-Wakamatsu-bound regular train at the station. Choose a service leaving enough time after the bus arrives to reach the ticket gate and platform. Transportation totals ¥2,600: combined ticket ¥2,200 plus two ¥200 fares outside its coverage area.

   Aizu Railway: regular-train timetable revised March 14, 2026, with departures and arrivals distinguished2026-10-08Aizu Railway: ¥2,200 Ouchi-juku combined ticket from Nishi-Wakamatsu; separate ¥200 segment2026-10-08

Day 3 — Oyakuen → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → departure

Walk around the pond and explore the medicinal plants. Oyakuen opens 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. This plan allows 45–60 minutes in the garden. In winter, visit while it is light because there is no lighting. The day's partial cost is ¥830: admission ¥330 plus two bus rides totaling ¥500. Skip the garden if you depart in the morning. In snow or heavy rain, omit the walk and recalculate costs for the tickets you use.

1. Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → Oyakuen bus stop

   Take Haikarasan from outside the station and get off at Oyakuen. Another bus may use a different stop and walk to the entrance.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Haikarasan weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08

2. Oyakuen bus stop → Oyakuen → same bus stop

   Use the entrance directly by the stop and spend 45–60 minutes in the garden. Viewing time and boarding preparation are separate from the bus ride.

   Official Oyakuen: ¥330, hours, year-round opening, and bus-stop access2026-10-08

3. Oyakuen bus stop → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

   Board Haikarasan at Oyakuen and continue around the loop in the same direction to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. End your visit in time for your departure, including luggage retrieval.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Haikarasan weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08

Day 1 — Tsurugajo → Aizu-Wakamatsu hotel

See the red-tiled castle up close and learn Aizu's history through exhibits inside the keep. On arrival day, first check how much time remains for your visit. Keep admission closes at 4:30 p.m., and there are stairs inside. For an approximately 90-minute visit before the 5:00 p.m. closing time, enter by 3:30 p.m. Entering at the last admission time leaves less than 90 minutes. Shorten outdoor walking in snow or heavy rain. The day's partial cost is ¥910: keep admission ¥410 plus two bus rides totaling ¥500. Rinkaku Tea House is not included.

1. Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → Tsurugajo Iriguchi

   Take Haikarasan from outside the station and get off at Tsurugajo Iriguchi. Use your travel date's weekday or holiday timetable to choose a service arriving before the keep's entry cutoff. For about 90 minutes inside, include the roughly five-minute walk from the stop and choose a bus that lets you enter by 3:30 p.m.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Haikarasan weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08

2. Tsurugajo Iriguchi → Tsurugajo Castle → return bus stop

   Walk about five minutes to the castle and allow about 90 minutes for the keep exhibits and surroundings. Check the entry cutoff, stairs, and snow or rain conditions.

   Official Aizu tourism: Tsurugajo admission, hours, stairs, and five-minute walk from bus stop2026-10-08

3. Tsurugajo Iriguchi Akabe stop → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

   Board at the Aizu-Wakamatsu-bound Akabe stop; Akabe loops in the opposite direction. Back at the station, eat dinner nearby or near your hotel.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Akabe weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08Aizu Bus: loop directions, current ¥250 single/¥700 one-day fare; check revised PDFs for date-specific times2026-10-08

Day 2 — JR round trip to Kitakata and lunch at Raimu's main restaurant

Spend the day on one ramen meal in Kitakata and return to the same Aizu hotel. Check JR services in both directions for your date and choose your post-meal return first. The ¥700 regular-train round trip is included in the itinerary subtotal; meals are separate.

Raimu's main restaurant is listed as open 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., with last order at 8:45 p.m. Check that day's menu, prices, and temporary closures. If the line is too long to fit your return train, eat after returning to Aizu.

1. Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → Kitakata Station

   Take a regular JR Banetsu West Line train toward Kitakata/Niitsu from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and get off at Kitakata. Check your date's service and platform in JR's official station timetable.

   JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station: Banetsu West Line weekday/holiday timetables toward Kitakata and Niitsu2026-10-09

2. Kitakata Station → Raimu Kitakata main restaurant

   Find Raimu's main restaurant at number 19 on the tourism association's ramen map. It is at 7 Inarimiya, northeast of the station and west of the Nigori River. Check your walking route before leaving and allow time to wait for food and return to the station. The main restaurant opens at 11:00 a.m.; check waiting time and menu prices on the day.

   Kitakata Tourism Association: ramen map and restaurants2026-10-08Official Raimu: Kitakata main restaurant address; 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., last order 8:45 p.m.2026-10-08

3. Raimu main restaurant → Kitakata Station

   Retrace your route to Kitakata Station and continue to the ticket gate and platform. Set a meal finish time that lets you catch your return train.

   Kitakata Tourism Association: ramen map and restaurants2026-10-08Official Raimu: Kitakata main restaurant address; 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., last order 8:45 p.m.2026-10-08JR Kitakata Station: weekday/holiday timetables toward Aizu-Wakamatsu2026-10-09

4. Kitakata Station → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

   Take an Aizu-Wakamatsu-bound regular JR train from Kitakata. Check weekday versus holiday tables and your visit date's operating services in the official station timetable. Follow that day's train and platform announcements.

   JR Kitakata Station: weekday/holiday timetables toward Aizu-Wakamatsu2026-10-09

Day 3 — Samurai residence → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → departure

Explore living spaces in the reconstructed samurai residence. The facility suggests about one hour for a visit, with outdoor movement between exhibits. April–November hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with final exit at 5:30 p.m.; December–March hours are 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with final exit at 5:00 p.m. The day's partial cost is ¥1,500: admission ¥1,000 plus two bus rides totaling ¥500. Getting off the return bus does not mean you can immediately board a long-distance train.

1. Aizu-Wakamatsu Station → Aizu Bukeyashiki-mae

   Take Akabe from outside the station and get off at Aizu Bukeyashiki-mae. Choose a service from your travel date's timetable that lets you finish viewing during the facility's operating hours.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Akabe weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08

2. Aizu Bukeyashiki-mae → Aizu Bukeyashiki

   Go to the entrance and allow the facility's suggested visit time of about one hour. Leave extra time for outdoor movement between exhibits and the walk back to the bus stop.

   Official Aizu Bukeyashiki: admission, seasonal hours, and approximately one-hour visit2026-10-09

3. Aizu Bukeyashiki-mae return-direction stop → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

   Return from the Aizu-Wakamatsu-bound Akabe stop. The stop name appears twice in the route table; use the on-site map to distinguish where you got off from where to board for the return. Finish viewing in time for your departure, including luggage retrieval.

   Fukushima Transportation: October 1, 2026 Akabe weekday/holiday tables and winter suspension marks2026-10-08