I am a frequent visitor of Japan (mostly Tokyo). I give a short report on my 2 day trip to Aizuwakamatsu. I went there mainly to experience the atmosphere of the near located Ouchi Juku village and its surrounding area of nature. In that regard I got not disappointed. Many hills and mountains, all covered in a lush green, watered rice fields, a big lake and Aizuwakamatsu having a castle as well, amongst other things, if that is your interest.
Luckily I am knowledgeable enough in Japanese to go around, as English was nearly unavailable. I only had this at check-in and the midori no madoguchi counter. But in that regard it was fun, to rely more on myself.
But the biggest problem for me was the wide area of the city and its lack in central places, which accumulate several shops, malls and restaurants. Guess I am too used to Tokyo in that regard. Fukui, as an example, at least had options around its main station. Also public transportation being mostly by bus, which I am personally not too fond of. (It is the same in my homecountry regarding busses.)
For food, I tried a lot of the sake from there, sweets like the senbei, the negi soba (although I dislike soba) and regional tonkatsu.
by tobitobby