Kitakata Travel Guide

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  Like Kitakata, Aizu-Wakamatsu is also famous for sake. To be honest though, there isn’t as much sake in Aizu even though it’s a much larger city. Certainly you would be better off exploring the breweries kitakata. I did both, but than I am obsessed with sake. The down side... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  While at the castle its worth a look at the tea room area off on the other side of the castle grounds. Tea ceremonies were very important in Aizu so its of historic importance… for tea. You can also get a cup of tea here. If you’re not all that interested in tea than you... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  Azue-Wakamatus is home to great castle, although it’s a reconstruction. The museum inside does have a picture of the castle from the 1800s, which is impressive in itself. The castle is without a doubt a great place to check out. It quite big and will take over an hour to... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  While in Kitakata check out some of the thousands of kura, traditional storehouses. There is only section of town that retains a group of kura together, called Minamimachi, but you will see kura scattered all over the town. I recommend picking up a map at the train station... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  Located near Yamatogawa sake Brewing Museum, this is a less a place to look around and see the process of making sake but more a place to try some no holds bard sake and buy. The selection is a little more limited here, but they are all wonderful. Might be a little hard to... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  In the area of concentrated kura storehouses you will find a sake brewery that brews sake to continues music by Mozart. Quite an interesting gimmick for sake. Why not drop and try a free sample. You can judge if Mozart music makes the sake taste better or not. I happened to... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  Check out the Yamatogawa Sake Brewing Museum right off the central shopping street. They have an amazing selection of sake to try for free as well as superior sake, but you have to pay to try that. The museum is opened from 9am to 4:30pm and is free. They also give tours in... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  Besides being famous for its abundance of ramen restaurants the town also boast 5 or more amazing sake breweries. Most of the breweries will give a free tour, though, some will charge a few hundred yen. At the end of all tours you will have your pick of free sake samples. I... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  If you’re in Kitakama why not check out one of the over 130 restaurants pepper through out the tiny town. The Kitakama information center can hook you with a map that shows the locations of at least 50 of these restaurants. As well, each restaurant makes their own specialty... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  Traveling through the Tohoku region can be as rewarding as it is frustrating. The area certainly holds many hidden delights but they remain troublesome to get to. Actually many locals will be ill informed of what their town has to offer and it will taking some real sleuthing... 

 Mr.Sparkle Says:  If you in town during August the Obon holiday week make sure to check out the obon festival in the onsen part of town. The entertainment is free and very traditional. They even had free sake. If you dance the obon dance you will also get free beer.