Aizu is the western region of Fukushima Prefecture. Aizu Wakamatsu City is a center of the region and as the city names themselves as "Samurai City", the area shows the samurai tradition at the landmarks such as Tsuruga Castle and Aizu Bukeyashiki (Samurai residence). It also has been a town of merchants with beautiful storehouses. Ouchi-juku is an old post town which is famous with its traditional thatched buildings that line its main street.
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo is located in the expansive Maruyama Park in Hokkaido’s capital Sapporo. Although the zoo is located in the city, it is close to nature. Maruyama Wild Forest, part of Maruyama Park, is a designated wildlife sanctuary. Inside the zoo you can see animals from around the world, but also species from Japan’s northernmost region of Hokkaido such as bears, deer, and squirrels. Maruyama Zoo was opened in 1951 as the first zoo in Hokkaido and now houses over 170 animal species. Easy access makes this a good place to visit with small children.