Aizuwakamatsu City, located in the eastern part of the Aizu region in western Fukushima Prefecture, is the area's principal city. It was established as a municipality in 1899 and boasts a history of over 100 years. In terms of population, it ranks fourth in the prefecture, following Kōriyama, Iwaki, and Fukushima City.
The city lies in the center of the Aizu Basin, also known as the Aizu Plain, which includes not only Aizuwakamatsu but also areas like Kitakata and Bannai. Surrounded by mountains, it connects to Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture via the Iide Mountains to the north, to Kōriyama in the Nakadōri region via Inawashiro and the Ōu Mountains to the east, to Niigata and Uonuma areas via the Echigo Mountains to the west, and to Minamiaizu and Nikkō in Tochigi Prefecture to the south. With major roads like the Ban-Etsu Expressway and National Routes 49, 121, and 252, along with JR Ban'etsu West Line, Tadami Line, and Aizu Railway, the city enjoys excellent connectivity.
Historically, Aizuwakamatsu served as the castle town of the Aizu Domain, a powerful feudal domain worth 230,000 koku during the Edo period. The ruling Aizu Matsudaira clan had close ties to the Tokugawa family, making the city a crucial political and military hub in Fukushima at the time. During the late Edo period, it became one of the main battlefields of the Boshin War, especially during the Battle of Aizu, leaving behind many historical sites such as the Graves of the Byakkotai and places associated with the Shinsengumi.
Today, Aizuwakamatsu is a popular destination blending history, culture, and natural tourism, attracting nearly 3 million visitors annually. Tourism is divided into several themes:
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Samurai culture and historical sites centered around Tsurugajo Castle and Mount Iimori,
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Townscape cultural tourism featuring traditional architecture, museums, and historic eateries,
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Healing hot spring tourism with destinations such as Higashiyama Onsen and Ashinomaki Onsen,
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and nature-based tourism with lakes and forests.
Local specialties like the "Akabeko" (red cow figurine) and the traditional soup dish Kozuyu also reflect the rich cultural identity of Aizu.
In terms of modernization, Aizuwakamatsu launched a Smart City initiative in 2013. In 2018, it received recognition from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, and in 2022, it was selected as a Type 3 pilot city for the Digital Garden City Nation initiative. These efforts exemplify the city's commitment to digital transformation and local revitalization.
