This made me feel like I was in the Alps in the fall. This little village with all the health spas is worth a walk about and taking good photos in the fall time.

If you want to try a traditional Ryokan, then this is it! Spent 2 days in Aizu Wakamatsu at the Higashiyama Ryokan (Hotel) and Onsen, which is 1hr 20 mins from Tokyo on the Yamabiko Shinkansen to Koriyama and costs Yen 7465, (appros AUD$74) then take local train from Koriyama to Aizu Wakamatsu takes 1 hr 10 mins and costs JP Yen 1110 (Approx AUD$11.00). We caught a taxi from train station took approx 10 mins and cost JPYen 20.40. However catch the sightseeing bus - which we did on our return trip and cost JP Yen 200 (approx AUD $2.00) a much cheaper option. Ryokan is on outer skirts of the town. Rooms are big and comfortable, with tatami mats, lovely sliding window shades that overlook a rolling torrential roaring river. Included in price is breakfast and evening meal - traditional Japanese. Everyone wears the Yukata (robe) and haori (over jacket- if cold) to dinner and some even wear it at breakfast. If you want to try the Onsen (hot bath) - instructions on etiquette are in your room as you cannot wear swimming costume and your small modesty cloth cannot be used in the water - it is communal - however you can pay for a private Onsen. This Ryokan was fully booked out on 1 night we were there, sas it is uch a popular Ryokan. Great sight seeing in this town- as it holds lots of history, you can buy a one day pass for JP Yen 500, hop on and off bus. Tsuruga Castle is beautiful and very interesting as well as the Samurai mansion (Aizu Bukeyashiki). As you can't buy a one day pass on the bus itself you can purchase it from the Samarai mansion which is a short walk from the Ryokan. This is truly rural Japan.