A few days ago, I had the chance to visit the beautiful village of Ouchijuku, in the mountains of Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture. This historic village has a rich past and offers a glimpse into Japan’s Edo-period (1603-1868) history.
Today I’d like to describe my trip to Ouchijuku and introduce some potentially useful vocabulary for English learners!
Vocabulary for English Learners
- Glimpse (noun): A brief or partial view of something.
- Prefecture (noun): A district under the government of a country, especially in Japan.
- Edo period (noun): The period in Japanese history between 1603 and 1868, characterized by peace, economic growth, and isolation from the outside world.
- Rest stop (noun): A place where travellers can stop for a short break during a journey.
- Merchant (noun): A person involved in the trade of goods, especially in historical contexts.
- Hub (noun): A central point of activity or importance.
- Thatched-roof (adjective): Describing a roof made from plant materials like straw or reeds.
- Preserve (verb): To maintain something in its original or existing state.
- Shrine (noun): A holy or sacred place, often associated with religious practices.
- Scenic (adjective): Beautiful or picturesque, often describing landscapes or views.
- Viewpoint (noun): A place that offers a good view of the surrounding scenery.
- Valley (noun): A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it.
- Fairy tale-like (adjective): Describing something that looks magical, like a setting from a fairy tale.
- Fascinating (adjective): Extremely interesting or captivating.
- Reputation (noun): The general opinion or belief about something or someone.
- Quirky (adjective): Unusual in an interesting or charming way.
- Utensil (noun): A tool used for eating or preparing food, such as a fork or spoon.
- Mochi (noun): A traditional Japanese rice cake made from sticky rice.
- Chewy (adjective): Describing food that requires a lot of chewing due to its texture.
- Complement (verb): To go well with something, enhancing its qualities or flavour.
- Entertaining (adjective): Providing amusement or enjoyment.
- Blend (verb): To mix different things together to create a harmonious result.
History of Ouchijuku
Ouchijuku was once a postal town during the Edo period.
Back then, it served as a rest stop for travellers, merchants, and even samurai on long journeys across Japan. These postal towns were hubs where travellers could take a break, have a meal, and spend the night before continuing their journeys.
What makes Ouchijuku special is how it has kept its traditional charm and feel. Many of the original thatched-roof houses are still standing today.
Walking through the village feels like stepping back in time.
Some Photos of Ouchijuku From This Summer!
What to See in Ouchijuku
The village itself is beautiful. It is surrounded by mountains and greenery, and offers breath-taking views no matter where you look.
The main street is lined with rows of traditional thatched-roof houses, which have been well preserved. Many of these houses now function as shops, restaurants, or small museums, but they still maintain the charm of Edo-period architecture.
As you wander around, you can also explore the village’s small shrines and a few scenic viewpoints that overlook the entire valley.
In winter, the village looks especially magical, as the snow covers the roofs and streets, turning Ouchijuku into a fairy tale-like setting.
Some Photos of Ouchijuku in Winter From a Few Years Ago!
Unusual Local Cuisine
While the architecture and history are fascinating, Ouchijuku also has a reputation for its unusual local food.
One of the village’s most famous traditions is eating noodles using a whole green onion (negi) as your utensil. Yes, instead of chopsticks or a spoon, you pick up the green onion and use it to scoop up the noodles!
This is a quirky experience for any traveller looking to try something different.
I decided to try something more traditional—soba noodles with fried mochi. Soba (buckwheat noodles) is a specialty in Fukushima, and the fried mochi added a chewy texture that perfectly complemented the soba’s smoothness.
While I skipped the green onion utensil this time, seeing others eat with an onion was quite entertaining!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a place that blends history, stunning scenery, and unique food, Ouchijuku is well worth the trip!
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This blog post was inspired by a recent Instagram post on the Thinking in English account. Out of all social media platforms, I am most active on Instagram.
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