All Reviews of The Aizu Bukeyashiki - Samurai Residence

A samurai residence filled with Aizu history. Stepping inside feels like traveling through time and experiencing what life was like for samurai families in the past. But~ the reason I came here actually wasn’t because it was the former residence of a wealthy feudal lord. It was because Haruka Ayase once filmed a drama here! As someone who loves Japanese dramas, of course I had to make a pilgrimage here and see the locations that appeared in the show~

When I visited on a weekday, almost everyone there was part of a tour group. The overall atmosphere was fairly quiet, so I could take my time exploring and appreciating this historic building. If you happen to be traveling in Aizu and enjoy Japanese history or locations from Japanese dramas, you can easily add the Aizu Bukeyashiki to your itinerary.

For me, the most important reason for this trip was—
If Haruka Ayase filmed here, I had to come see it!

The Aizu Bukeyashiki - Samurai Residence is a museum full of Aizu history. The grounds are larger than expected, and the exhibits are quite extensive. At the bus stop by Aizuwakamatsu JR Station, you can buy a one-day bus pass for JPY 2,000 that includes admission to three attractions: Tsuruga Castle, the Samurai Residence, and Sazaedo. You can also travel around the loop clockwise or counterclockwise, making it easy to plan your day. I recommend allowing about an hour and a half to explore the Samurai Residence at a leisurely pace. There is no shade at the bus stop in summer, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun before heading out!

It’s absolutely worth coming during cherry blossom season. The classic samurai residence buildings with the cherry trees in full bloom feel so quintessentially Japanese, and every photo turns out great.

The lunch set meal was just the right portion, and I got to try local Aizu cuisine.

You can really get a detailed look at the lifestyle of Japanese samurai here. It's unique and definitely worth a visit.