Aizu-Nishikata station (会津西方) is located in the town of Mishima (三島町 Mishima-machi).
Mishima is known for its handmade rustic crafts such as basketwork made from plant vines.
You can see them produced by the craftsmen living in the town if you visit there.
Though it takes about 20 minutes to walk from the station, “Seikatsu-kougei-kan (生活工芸館)” is located in the area.
In the facility, a lot of their handmade crafts are exhibited are sold.
Most of the main crafts are bags, wallets, and baskets, and they are made from vines of plants such as wild grapes, silver vine, and a kind of sedge called Hiroro (ヒロロ).
By the way, they are very expensive and some are priced as much as high-class brands, I think this is because they take so much time, and also have a value as a work of art.
Their materials of them are so tough and durable that they can last for a lifetime, so they are coveted by people who like them.
Most of the craftsmen are such aged people and they are making their works heartily daily life.
In every June, a festival of handmade crafts called “Aizu Kojin Matsuri (会津工人まつり) is held in the oak grove in front of the facility.
Craftsmen not only in the town and Aizu but also from all over Japan participate in the festival and display their works for sale there.
The festival is crowded with people who are fans of handmade crafts.
You will surely enjoy the festival even if you only to come to see it.