A rare presenced Website in Japan that specializes in travel arrangements to the Tohoku/Northeastern region in Japan with Licensed Interpreter-Guide . BTW, of course, TRAVELMART can also arrange travel to anywhere in Japan. TRAVELMART

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TSURUGAJO CASTLE

a symbol of SAMURAI city built in 1384

The recommended period for cherry blossom viewing is usually around April.

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TAKASE no TAIBOKU

a large Zelkova tree that is about 500 years old

This is the site where a castle was planned to be built about 500 years ago.

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ISHIBE ZAKURA

Cherry Blossoms in ISHIBE

A magnificent cherry tree made up of 10 trunks.
The recommended period for cherry blossom viewing is usually around April.

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MOTTAINAI AIZU

an opinion leader in the SDGs era (MOTTAINAI means "too good too waste")

The organization remakes old clothes into dresses, accessories, bags, and other items and sells them at its Charity shop, and also holds fashion shows with the production staff acting as models.
TEL: +81 (0)90 2790 0393

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Foot Bath at HIGASHIYAMA Hot Spring

a public foot bath at a hot springs resort opened 1300 years ago

This foot bath is free of charge to use

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Ghost Footprint

Footprint left on the Katsura floor

It is said that ghost footprint can still be found on the floorboards of the main hall of Dairyu-ji Temple, which was founded about 400 years ago. Yae Niijima, the wife of Jo Niijima, the founder of Doshisha University in Kyoto, built the graves of her ancestors at this temple.

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Lacquer item made in AIZU

"SHIKKI" is traditional crafts from the AIZU

For over 500 years, Aizu has been a major lacquerware production area, handling everything from lacquer tree cultivation to decoration. It temporarily declined during the Aizu War, but has now regained its vitality as one of Japan's leading lacquerware production areas.

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Tofu Mochi

Rice cake made from Tofu (local dish passed down in some areas of Aizu)

A dish made by mixing mashed tofu with soy sauce and dashi stock.
Nowadays, there is a restaurant in Aizu-Wakamatsu that specializes in this dish.

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Mt. IIMORI

a mountain with sad story

The summit is well known as the place where 19 young soldiers, known as the Byakkotai, committed suicide during the Aizu War. There are two ways to get to the summit: on foot or by taking the paid escalator (cheap).

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SAKUDARI KANNONDO HALL

a hall built on a cliff irenovated in 1358

A quiet place where few people know. There is a parking lot near the building (a parking lot at the foot is far away). Admission and parking are both free. It's possible to get a temple seal at a private house at the foot of hall (for a fee).

Aizu Misato town

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A top Ski Resort, URABANDAI

High-quality powder snow that rivals of Hokkaido

A ski resort where you can ski down the slope with a spectacular view of Mt. Bandai right in front of you. There is a free shuttle bus that connects the hotel and the ski resort.

Bandai town and
Kita-Shiobara Village

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Lake INAWASHIRO

the fourth largest lake in Japan

Located almost in the center of Fukushima-Ken, it is one of the highest lakes in Japan and belongs to Bandai-Asahi National Park. In the summer, you can enjoy not only swimming but also various water sports such as marine jet skiing.

Inawashiro town

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CHOSHI no KUCHI

canyon looks like mouth of a sake bottle

Located near Niigata Prefecture, this is a particularly famous scenic spot in the Agagawa River gorge. This is where the strangely shaped rocks jut out from both banks. It was named after the fact that the surrounding terrain resembles the narrow neck of Sake Bottle（"Choshi" is the Japanese word for sake served in a ceramic sake-bottle). The wide river suddenly narrows to just over 10 meters, and it was said to be the most difficult part of shipping rice, causing great suffering to the people. The way the rapids wash over the rocks is spectacular. It is also famous as a great spot to see autumn leaves, with the best viewing time being from late October to mid-November.

Nishi-Aizu town

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TACHIKI KANNON

called standing tree Kannon

This is one of the three Aizu Korori Kannon and a symbol of Aizu. The origin of the name Korori Kannon comes from the legend that if you hug the pillar inside the hall and make a wish while looking at the face of Kannon, any wish will come true easily. Built over 800 years ago, the interior features huge columns and magnificent wooden walls, and the main object of worship, "the Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon" is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan, carved into a large tree with its roots still attached. Local people affectionately call it "Standing Tree Kannon." Shoes are not permitted inside the hall, so you must remove shoes before entering.

Aizu-Bange town

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KOKUZOSON Hall

a majestic temple (Enzoji) overlooking the Tadami River

A famous temple built over 1200 years ago. In the grounds, there is a statue of Akabeko (red cow), which is said to bring good luck. The highlight of this temple is the Nanokado Naked Mairi, held every year at 8:30 pm on January 7th. Many men clad in loincloths called FUNDOSHI climb the hemp rope of the hall of Enzoji Temple, aiming for the top. This festival is held to pray for happiness and good health for the year. The public is also welcome to participate.

Yanaizu town

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Lake NUMAZAWA Water Festival

reenacting the legend of the serpent

The Numazawa Lake Festival is Kanayama Town's largest festival, held for two days every year on the first Saturday and Sunday of August at Lake Numazawa, a lake surrounded by forest. The "Giant Snake Extermination," a reenactment based on the legend of a giant snake passed down in the Numazawa community, is very impressive. Over the two days, a period picture scroll based on the legend of the extermination of a giant snake that lived in Lake Numazawa more than 800 years ago will be reenacted. Other events include fireworks, stage shows, and fish catching.

Kaneyama town

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TO no HETSURI

towers on the cliff

It has been designated as a national natural monument as a good example of a deformed river-cut landform. "Hetsuri" is an Aizu dialect word that means a steep cliff approaching a river. Large, strangely shaped rocks are lined up over a total length of 200 meters and main rocks have names. A path has been carved around these rocks, but due to collapse over time, access is prohibited except around the Butai-iwa rock (stage rock) where the suspension bridge crosses. The towering strange rocks are made of tuff from the Neogene layer formed about 28 million to 1 million years ago. Over the years, the river's water flow, rain and wind have worn down the rocks, and the soft parts have been eroded, creating a unique shape like a tower with many layers. Crossing the suspension bridge makes noises and sways, making it a thrilling experience. From the suspension bridge, you can enjoy the emerald green water surface and beautiful views.

Shimogo town