It's Micaela, and today we are in Osaka.

Today we are starting our trip in Osaka,

a loud, boisterous city with flashing lights,

big crowds, and saucy flavorful foods.

This is a fun city to explore before heading towards

the more peaceful countryside of rural Japan.

Good morning. Now, we are at Itami Airport in Osaka.

This is actually my first time using Itami Airport.

I've used the Kansai International Airport before

and I've been there a few times for work

but this is my first time using Itami and it's pretty cool.

Like this is a lot going on here.

It's really cozy.

You may be wondering why a series

about Tohoku starts off in Osaka,

and that is because at Itami Airport,

there are actually 39 flights in a day

that head to the Tohoku region.

And I'm sure that you guys have heard

that the rail pass is gonna get more expensive

from the fall.

And if you were thinking of using the rail pass

to travel around Japan economically

it might not make sense depending on your itinerary.

Flying in Japan is actually a lot cheaper

than you would think

and it's really convenient and it's less time consuming.

So, I've checked in my luggage, I'm all good to go.

I have my ticket

and I'm about to board my flight to Fukushima.

(air whooshing)

I love it.

Love it, love it, love it. (groans)

I love propeller planes. (laughs)

I'm very excited right now.

(upbeat music)

Okay, so we have arrived at Fukushima Airport.

The airport's quite small and quiet

but very easy to navigate.

You kind of just hop off the plane and you're here.

So, yeah.

Over the next four days we'll be exploring

the Tohoku region and we're starting here in Fukushima.

I can't wait to see what's in store for me.

Let's go.

Fukushima is very green.

There is so much nature

and it's kind of interesting seeing how

the seasons are delayed.

We saw some wisteria and the wisteria have already bloomed

and disappeared down where I live,

so it's cool to see the flowers

that I thought I have missed seasonally

are like still alive and well up here.

Our first stop on our trip through Fukushima

is the Abukuma Cave, a 600 meter long walking course

through stalactites, underground rivers, rock towers,

and grottos.

The discovery course is a bit intense

and those taller than the average Japanese might struggle

to make it through some of the tighter squeezes.

You really do have to squat and you have to suck in

your belly, and you have to just pray

that you fit through the crevices

'cause some of these are really, really,

really tight squeezes.

(upbeat music)

It definitely makes an impact to view this part of the cave.

It's really cool. I haven't seen a bat though.

I really, really, really wanna see a bat.

I don't know if we're gonna see any today though.

I guess I'll have to come again.

So, after visiting the cave, we got super hungry

and we came to get a local organic lunch

at Niku To Yasai No Nouka Italian Arigato.

And this is an Italian restaurant

that specializes in organic farms from the Koriyama area

here in Fukushima Prefecture.

So, eating here is a great way to support local farmers

and try lots of local vegetables and meats.

(gentle music)

In the afternoon, we did a deep dive

into Fukushima's rich history and Samurai culture,

touring some of the most significant spots in Aizuwakamatsu.

So, we have arrived at Nisshinkan, which is a replica

of the Samurai school that originally existed

here in the region.

The original, unfortunately burnt down,

but this one has been faithfully reconstructed

to very accurately reflect the type of school

that Samurai children went to back in the day,

and now it serves as a museum

and also has a lot of really interesting

unique hands-on experiences.

So, we're going to learn how to shoot

a bow and arrow. (laughs)

(Micaela speaks indistinctly)

Shooting a bow and arrow is something

that I've never tried before,

so I was really excited to get in there

and figure this out.

Bam.

- Aw. - Almost.

They say to make sure that the feather

is pointing up so that it flies nicely.

You wanna pinch with your thumb and your pointer finger

and instead of pulling, push your left hand,

and push the bow out with this hand

rather than pull with this hand.

One, two, three.

(Micaela shouting) (bow snaps)

(arrow thudding)

(Micaela exhales)

It's not easy being a samurai.

Let's just say I probably won't be graduating

from samurai school anytime soon.

(water sloshes) Whoa.

(upbeat music)

After Nisshinkan, we stopped by

the charming, Tsuruga-jo Castle.

Having recently been renovated,

the inside is full of interactive displays

giving a brief history of the region.

But my personal recommendation is to head to the top floor.

Castles were always built to have the best panoramic views

of the city, so if you wanna get an idea of where you are

it's always a good idea to head to the top.

(upbeat music)

The Akabeko or red cow is a constant recurring symbol

here in Aizu.

Beko means cow in regional dialect

and these paper mache Akabeko figures

are said to help ward off illnesses.

We came to Warabi so we could customize

our very own Akabeko.

Well, technically mine's orange.

(Micaela speaking in foreign language)

And no trip to Aizu is complete without visiting the onsen,

we checked into a gorgeous ryokan in the hills

of the Higashiyama Onsen region

which boast private open air baths

looking over a gorgeous green forest and river.

This is incredible.

I've never seen such a luxurious dinner.

We get to eat right by the river

and there's so many layers to this coarse meal.

It doesn't get any better than this.

This is the best.

This is the best meal I've had in a very long time.

And you can't beat the view.

After a busy first day.

It's time to sleep and get ready for day two.

Of course, I kept my Akabeko out for good luck.

(upbeat music)

He brought beautiful sunny weather for our second day

in Fukushima, which was perfect for our first stop.

The stunning and peaceful Sazae-do Temple

named after the shellfish, Sazae, or Turban Shell.

It is the only wooden building

with a double helix structure in the whole world.

It's not only a religious monument

but a truly fascinating building as well.

So, one of the really interesting points about the way

that the Sazae-do is constructed

is that whether you're going up or down,

it's designed so that you don't pass other people.

You won't pass people going up if you're on your way down

and you won't pass people going down

if you're on your way up.

At the nearby Mt. Iimori,

you can find a monument to a group of Samurai boys

who kept watch over the town who died tragically

by their own hands when they thought Tsuruga Castle

had been defeated.

It's a bit hard to see, but the castle is definitely

within range of this viewpoint.

(gentle music)

For our last spot in Aizu, we stopped by Shimogo.

A town with an estimated population of just 5,000 people.

Here in the historical village of Ouchijuku,

you can pass through a settlement that was popular

as a rest stop for travelers during the Edo period.

These days, it is a popular rest stop for travelers

from all over the world with souvenir shops, restaurants,

and refreshments being sold along the walking paths

and breathtaking views from the top of the mountain.

(gentle music)

So, when you come to Ouchijuku

you absolutely have to try the takata soba.

This is a massive leak, negi.

Oh, this is hard.

Who thought of this? - Like you're mixing it.

- You are supposed to use the green onion

instead of chopsticks to eat the soba

while also gnawing on it as a condiment.

It's supposed to have medicinal properties

and help keep you healthy.

Negi soba is also apparently a traditional dish at weddings.

To be honest, the soba was pretty good too.

This is crazy.

I don't know who thought of this

or why they thought of this, but it's a thing

and it's kind of funny and really interesting,

so if you're in Ouchijuku

and you're looking for a place to eat

try the negi soba, the takato soba. (grunts)

After this, we headed to Koriyama Station

to hop on the Shinkansen and head to our next destination.

Make sure you watch next time to see where we end up.

(air whooshing)

(upbeat music)

(water plinking)

(air whooshing)

♪ Is it you ♪

(birds squealing) (person giggling)

- Aye. - Aye.

- All right.

(upbeat music)