Zatsuabi -That’s Journey- Fukushima Prefecture Complete Pilgrimage Guide
What is Zatsuabi? The Appeal of Fukushima as the Setting
“Zatsuabi -That’s Journey-” is a manga work by Ishizaka Kenta based on real travel experiences, which was adapted into a TV anime in 2020. It depicts the protagonist traveling around Japan using the Seishun 18 Ticket, with Fukushima Prefecture being one of the important settings in the work.
The Fukushima Prefecture arc features diverse spots centered around the Aizu region, from historic tourist sites to eateries beloved by locals. “Seichi junrei” (pilgrimage to sacred places) where fans who read the work actually visit these locations is actively practiced, with many travelers visiting Fukushima Prefecture seeking the same scenery as in the work.
Basic Information for Fukushima Prefecture Pilgrimage
Access Methods
Main access methods to Fukushima Prefecture are as follows:
From Tokyo Area
- About 1 hour 20 minutes to Koriyama Station via Tohoku Shinkansen
- About 5-6 hours via Tohoku Main Line when using Seishun 18 Ticket
Access to Aizuwakamatsu
- About 1 hour 15 minutes from Koriyama Station via Ban’etsu West Line
- Also accessible via Ban’etsu West Line from Niigata direction
Recommended Pilgrimage Seasons
Fukushima Prefecture pilgrimage can be enjoyed year-round, but particularly recommended periods are:
- Spring (April-May): Many cherry blossom spots, Tsuruga Castle’s cherry blossoms are spectacular
- Summer (July-August): Lush nature and summer festivals
- Autumn (September-November): Beautiful autumn foliage and comfortable climate
- Winter (December-February): Snowy landscapes and hot springs are attractive, but be cautious of transportation
Sacred Spots in the Aizuwakamatsu Area
Tsuruga Castle (Aizuwakamatsu Castle)
The symbol of Aizuwakamatsu that appears impressively in the work. Also the site of the Boshin War, known for the tragedy of the Byakkotai (White Tiger Brigade), the castle tower interior is currently open to the public as a museum.
Basic Information
- Address: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
- Business Hours: 8:30-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
- Admission Fee: Adults 410 yen, Elementary/Junior High Students 150 yen
- Parking: Paid parking available nearby
Pilgrimage Points
The angle appearing in the work is a composition looking up at the castle tower from the front. Especially during cherry blossom season, you can photograph beautiful scenery similar to the work. The view from the castle tower is also wonderful, offering a panoramic view of the Aizu Basin.
Nanokamachi Street
Nanokamachi Street with its charming retro townscape exuding Taisho Roman atmosphere. Kura-style buildings line the street, with cafes, general stores, and souvenir shops.
Highlights
- Shirokiya Lacquerware Shop: A long-established shop for traditional Aizu lacquerware
- Eki Cafe: A cafe utilizing the Nanokamachi Station building
- Antique shops and traditional house cafes scattered throughout
In the work, scenes of the protagonist strolling through the townscape are depicted, allowing you to enjoy the Taisho Roman atmosphere while walking leisurely.
Iimoriyama
Iimoriyama, known as the site of Byakkotai’s self-immolation. Also introduced in the work along with its historical background.
Access
- About 15 minutes by bus from Aizuwakamatsu Station, get off at “Iimoriyama-shita”
- About 5 minutes walk to trailhead
Highlights
- Graves of the Nineteen Members of Byakkotai
- Sazaedo (Important Cultural Property)
- View of Tsuruga Castle from the summit
There are 183 steps, but a paid escalator (250 yen) is also available. In the work, climbing while feeling the weight of history is depicted.
Sacred Spots in the Kitakata Area
Kitakata Ramen Shop Tour
In “Zatsuabi,” Kitakata ramen appears as Fukushima Prefecture gourmet. There are over 100 ramen shops in Kitakata City, each competing with their unique flavors.
Representative Ramen Shops
- Bannai Shokudo: Representative of Kitakata ramen, pork bone-based soy sauce soup
- Makoto Shokudo: A long-established shop loved by locals
- Genraiken: Considered the birthplace of Kitakata ramen
Characteristics of Kitakata Ramen
- Flat, aged, high-water-content noodles
- Light soy sauce-based soup
- Simple toppings of char siu and menma
Asa-ra (the culture of eating ramen from the morning) is also a Kitakata specialty, with many shops open from early morning.
Kura Townscape
Kitakata City is known as “Kura no Machi” (Warehouse Town), with over 4,000 warehouses remaining. Various warehouses including miso, sake, and soy sauce warehouses are scattered throughout.
Recommended Spots
- Yamatogawa Sake Brewery: Sake brewery tour with tasting available
- Wakaki Shoten: Beautiful brick warehouse
- Kai Honke Kurazashiki: Wealthy merchant’s warehouse residence open to public
In the work, rediscovering the charm of local cities while strolling through the warehouse townscape is depicted.
Koriyama and Other Area Sacred Sites
Koriyama Station Area
Koriyama Station, a transportation hub of Fukushima Prefecture. In the work, it appears as a transfer station, introducing ekiben (station bento) and station gourmet.
Ekiben Information
- Nori Noriben: Koriyama’s famous ekiben
- Fukushima Gyumeshi: Using local beef
Mount Bandai Area
In the work, the magnificent appearance of Mount Bandai seen from the train window is impressively depicted. The view from the Ban’etsu West Line is one of the charms of “Zatsuabi.”
Recommended Viewpoints
- Lake Inawashiro: Spectacular view with Mount Bandai in the background
- Goshikinuma: Mystical colored ponds
Pilgrimage Model Courses
2 Days 1 Night Aizu Full Experience Course
Day 1
- 9:00 Arrive at Koriyama Station
- 10:30 Arrive at Aizuwakamatsu Station
- 11:00 Tsuruga Castle tour
- 13:00 Sauce katsudon lunch in Aizuwakamatsu City
- 14:30 Nanokamachi Street stroll
- 16:00 Iimoriyama visit
- 18:00 Stay at Higashiyama Onsen
Day 2
- 9:00 Move to Kitakata
- 10:00 Asa-ra experience
- 11:00 Kura townscape stroll
- 13:00 Sake brewery tour and tasting
- 15:00 Depart from Kitakata Station
- 17:00 Arrive at Koriyama Station
Day Trip Seishun 18 Ticket Course
Like the protagonist of the work, day trips using the Seishun 18 Ticket are also possible.
From Tokyo
- 6:00 Depart Tokyo Station (Tohoku Main Line)
- 11:30 Arrive at Koriyama Station
- 12:00 Purchase ekiben at Koriyama Station
- 13:00 Arrive at Aizuwakamatsu Station (Ban’etsu West Line)
- 13:30 Tsuruga Castle tour
- 15:30 Nanokamachi Street stroll
- 17:00 Depart Aizuwakamatsu Station
- 23:00 Arrive at Tokyo Station
Gourmet Information
Aizu Gourmet
Sauce Katsudon
A specialty dish of Aizuwakamatsu. Deep-fried cutlet placed on cabbage, topped with special sauce.
- Nakajima: Popular long-established local shop
- Tsuruga: Famous shop near Tsuruga Castle
Kozuyu
Aizu local cuisine. Refined soup with vegetables and wheat bran cakes in scallop broth.
Basashi (Horse Sashimi)
Horse meat culture is rooted in the Aizu region, where you can enjoy fresh horse sashimi.
Kitakata Gourmet
Kitakata Ramen (mentioned earlier)
Dengaku
Kitakata local cuisine. Tofu or taro grilled with miso paste.
Souvenir Information
Aizu Souvenirs
Aizu Lacquerware
- Traditional craft with over 400 years of history
- Various products including chopsticks, bowls, tiered boxes
- Price range: 1,000 yen to tens of thousands of yen
Okiagari-koboshi
- Aizu good luck charm
- Represents the spirit of “fall down seven times, stand up eight”
- Price: Around 300 yen to 1,000 yen
Aizu Local Sake
- Suehiro Sake Brewery, Hanaharu Sake Brewery, etc.
- Japanese sake using underground water from Mount Bandai
- Price: 1,000 yen to 5,000 yen
Kitakata Souvenirs
Kitakata Ramen (Souvenir)
- Fresh noodle type or dried noodle type
- Set with soup
- Price: 500 yen to 1,500 yen
Miso and Soy Sauce
- Products from long-established breweries
- Additive-free, naturally fermented
- Price: 500 yen to 2,000 yen
Pilgrimage Precautions and Manners
Photography Precautions
- No trespassing on private property: Even for locations appearing in the work, do not enter private property without permission
- Photography in stores: Always get permission from staff
- Consideration for other tourists: Avoid occupying locations for long periods
Manners When Using Transportation
- Using Seishun 18 Ticket: Confirm validity period and available trains in advance
- Precautions on local lines: Check timetables as service frequency is low
- Consideration during congestion: Avoid local commuting/school hours during tourist season
Consideration for the Community
- Take your trash with you: Littering at tourist sites strictly prohibited
- Watch noise levels: Keep quiet in residential areas
- Contributing to local economy: Use local shops whenever possible
Accommodation Information
Aizuwakamatsu Area
Higashiyama Onsen
- 10 minutes by car from Aizuwakamatsu city center
- Hot spring area with 1,300 years of history
- Price range: 10,000 yen to 30,000 yen per night with 2 meals
Hotels in Aizuwakamatsu City
- Diverse from business hotels to tourist hotels
- Price range: 4,000 yen to 10,000 yen room only
Kitakata Area
Atsushio Onsen/Nitchu Onsen
- Hot spring areas in Kitakata City suburbs
- Price range: 8,000 yen to 15,000 yen per night with 2 meals
Hotels in Kitakata City
- Mainly business hotels
- Price range: 5,000 yen to 8,000 yen room only
Seasonal Highlights
Spring (March-May)
Cherry Blossom Spots
- Tsuruga Castle: Mid to late April, about 1,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees
- Ishibe Cherry Tree: One of the five great cherry trees of Aizu, over 600 years old
- Nitchu Line Weeping Cherry Boulevard: Kitakata City, about 3km cherry blossom tunnel
Summer (June-August)
Festivals
- Aizu Matsuri (late September): Aizu Domain procession is the highlight
- Kitakata Summer Festival (early August): Fireworks display also held
Autumn (September-November)
Autumn Foliage Spots
- Bandai Azuma Skyline: Best viewing early to mid-October
- Goshikinuma: Contrast of autumn colors and pond colors
- Tsuruga Castle Park: Best viewing early November
Winter (December-February)
Snow Scenery
- Ouchi-juku: Thatched-roof village covered in snow
- Tsuruga Castle: Snow-covered castle tower
Winter Events
- Aizu Painted Candle Festival (February): About 10,000 candles lit
Surrounding Tourist Spots
Ouchi-juku
About 40 minutes by car from Aizuwakamatsu. Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings that retains the appearance of an Edo period post town. Thatched-roof houses line the highway.
Specialty Gourmet
- Negi Soba: Soba eaten using green onion instead of chopsticks
Lake Inawashiro
Japan’s fourth largest lake. Spectacular views with Mount Bandai in the background.
Activities
- Pleasure boats
- Water sports
- Cycling
Goshikinuma
A group of over 30 large and small ponds created by the eruption of Mount Bandai. Characterized by mystical colors such as cobalt blue and emerald green.
Walking Course
- Goshikinuma Nature Trail: About 3.6km, 1 to 1.5 hours
Practical Information
Tourist Information Centers
Aizuwakamatsu Station Tourist Information Center
- Business Hours: 8:30-17:30
- Phone: 0242-32-0688
- Services: Tourist map distribution, accommodation information, luggage storage
Kitakata Tourism and Product Association
- Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Phone: 0241-24-5200
- Services: Tourist information, bicycle rental
Bicycle Rental
Aizuwakamatsu
- Rental around Tsuruga Castle
- Fee: About 500 yen to 1,000 yen per day
Kitakata
- Rental in front of Kitakata Station
- Fee: About 300 yen to 500 yen per day
Wi-Fi Environment
Free Wi-Fi available at major tourist sites, stations, cafes, etc. Public wireless LAN services such as “FUKUSHIMA City Wi-Fi” are available.
To Enjoy the Charm of “Zatsuabi” to the Fullest
Reread the Work Before Visiting
By rereading the relevant episodes before pilgrimage, you can immerse yourself more deeply in the work’s world. The joy of comparing descriptions in the work with actual scenery also increases.
Slow Travel Pace
The charm of “Zatsuabi” is enjoying travel slowly, without rushing. Don’t pack too much in, and cherish conversations with locals and chance encounters.
Savor Local Gourmet
Gourmet food is also an important element in the work. By actively enjoying Fukushima Prefecture’s local cuisine and specialties, your understanding of the work will deepen.
Sharing on SNS
To connect with fans of the same work, sharing experiences using hashtags like “#Zatsuabi” “#ZatsutabiPilgrimage” is recommended.
Summary
The Fukushima Prefecture pilgrimage for “Zatsuabi -That’s Journey-” is an attractive journey where you can experience the work’s worldview while enjoying Fukushima Prefecture’s rich history, culture, and gourmet food. From Aizuwakamatsu’s historic buildings to Kitakata’s ramen and warehouse townscape, to Mount Bandai’s magnificent nature, there are diverse highlights.
Travel on local lines using the Seishun 18 Ticket will be a special experience of touring Fukushima Prefecture from the same perspective as the work’s protagonist. Without rushing, slowly, while enjoying interactions with local people, create your own “Zatsuabi.”
Fukushima Prefecture has beauty in all four seasons, and there are new discoveries no matter how many times you visit. Using this article as a reference, please plan a Fukushima Prefecture pilgrimage. By actually visiting places you learned about through the work, the enjoyment of travel should expand even further.
