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IWAYA Rock-carved Buddhas

rock-carved Buddhas statue on the mountainside

Mt. Shinobu in the city center, there are over 60 rock-carved Buddha statues carved into the cliffs on the eastern side. They include the Thirty-three Kannon Bodhisattva, Jizo Bodhisattva, and Fudo Myo-o. Many of the statues have weathered over the years, but you can still see the serene Buddha images. Iwaya Kannon is said to have originated as a Kannon hall carved out of rock by a powerful clan that ruled the area from the Heian to Kamakura periods, after which an independent Kannon hall was built.

Fukushima C. (cap)

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Fruits Roads in FUKUSHIMA

known for its delicious fruits

In the western part of Fukushima City, there is a Fruit Road, affectionately known as the "Fruit Line" and "Peach Line", lined with tourist orchards and direct sales fruit shops. Starting with cherries in June, you can enjoy seasonal fruits for about half a year, including peaches, grapes, pears, and apples. There are many tourist orchards along the Fruit Line and Peach Line, so you can enjoy fruit picking. Scissors and other tools needed for fruit picking are available to rent on-site. Many orchards offer all-you-can-eat for 30 minutes (for a fee), and there is an additional charge for taking fruits home.

Fukushima C. (cap)

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TSUCHIYU Hot Spring

a historic hot spring resort

It has a history of over 1,400 years as a hot spring resort that also served as a post station on the Aizu Kaido road (Tsuchiyu Kaido road) that ran from Fukushima Castle Town to Aizu. It is now located along National Route 115 (Tsuchiyu Kaido road), the shortest route from the prefectural capital Fukushima City to the Aizu region. Tsuchiyu Onsen has many hot springs, and you can enjoy hot springs with more than 10 different types of spring water. The hot spring area is located at an altitude of about 450 meters and is surrounded by mountains, and the entire hot spring area is designated as a national park. The local Tsuchiyu Kokeshi dolls are also a representative local toy of Fukushima City, and it is also known as the production area of "Japan's Three Great Kokeshi Dolls".

Fukushima C. (cap)

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ENBAN GYOZA

disk-style dumplings

A fried dumplings that are made into a round disk shape by lining them up in a single frying pan and frying them. The roots of Fukushima's enban gyoza go back to the chaotic period after the world war 2. A people who came back from Manchuria in China to Fukushima City created a local dumpling called "Fukushima Enban Gyoza (disk-style dumplings)" through repeated trial and error. In order to cook many dumplings at once, the dumplings are arranged according to the shape of the frying pan, and when they are cooked, the frying pan is turned over and the dumplings are placed on a plate, so the dumplings are arranged in a disk shape. Each store offers its own unique dumplings nowadays.Takeout available.

Fukushima C. (cap)

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FUKUSHIMA Prefectual Museum of Art

an Art Museum in Fukushima

Fukushima Prefectual Museum of Art is located at the foot of Mt. Shinobu (a symbol mountain of Fukushima City), alongside the Fukushima Prefectural Library. It opened in 1984 on the former site of the Campus of the Economics of Fukushima University.
It is close to Fukushima Station and has good transport access, yet is in a quiet, tranquil environment. It houses over 1,600 works of art, including paintings, prints, sculptures, and crafts, and is characterized by its collection of 20th century American figurative paintings, as well as the work of printmaker Saito Kiyoshi, painter Sekine Shoji. and so on.

Fukushima C. (cap)

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JODODAIRA Plateau

a marshland surrounded by mountains

Located at an altitude of 1600m, the area is surrounded by volcanic desert and virgin coniferous forests, mainly Abies mariesii. Many alpine plants, coniferous forests, and marshes are also scattered here and there. A visitor center, rest areas, and nature trails have been established, and various levels of activities are available, from an hour's hike starting from here to full-scale trekking. When the mountain tourist road named Bandai-Azuma Skyline opens from April to mid-November, you can easily enjoy the subalpine nature. It is not only a great place for daytime activities, but also a great place for stargazing. In 1993, the Jododaira Astronomical Observatory, the highest public observatory in Japan, was established.

Fukushima C. (cap)

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a Lake called "the Witch's Eye"

a cobalt blue lake

This is a crater lake on the mountainside of Mt. Issaikyozan in the Azuma Mountain Range. Official name is "Goshikinuma" (different from Goshikinuma in Urabandai, Fukushima Pref.), but it is also called "Witch's Eye" because it has a beautiful cobalt blue color, and the water fills a crater about 300m in diameter, and its color changes from moment to moment depending on the sunlight. You can get to "Witch's Eye" by walking about 90 minutes from Jododaira on the Bandai Azuma Skyline, which can be reached by car, and you can view it from the summit of Mt. Issaikyozan at an altitude of 1,949m. There is no path that leads directly down to the shore of the lake from the summit. It is a sight you will never forget once you see it. BTW, don't forget that it is a bear habitat!

Fukushima C. (cap)


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ANPO Persimmon		one of dried persimmon
	Anpo-gaki is a type of dried persimmon that is said to have originated in the Isazawa area of Date City. During the Taisho period, a unique type of dried persimmon was developed using sulfur fumigation and named "Anpo-gaki". Normal "dried persimmons" contain around 25-30% water, but Anpo-gaki contains around 50% water and has a good ratio of fructose to glucose, making it soft, juicy, and creamy in the mouth. The vitamin C content of raw persimmons is significantly reduced when processed into dried persimmons, but anpo-gaki contains 7-15 times more vitamin C than other dried persimmons. This area has a relatively large seasonal temperature difference, with hot summers and large temperature differences between day and night in early autumn, which allows the production of highly ripe raw persimmons.		Date C.

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Mt. RYOZEN		a low mountain, but a thrilling mountain
	Mt. Ryozen, a historic mountain over 1200 years ago, is a low mountain with an elevation of 825m, but it is dotted with impressive and unusually shaped rocks, making it a thrilling mountain. There are well-maintained hiking trails in the mountain, and you can enjoy a great panorama of the Pacific Ocean and casual trekking. You can also enjoy beautiful nature throughout the year. The hiking trails are well-maintained and easy for beginners to walk, but there are many forks and rocky areas, so there are some places where you need to be careful. The beginner's course is about 7km long and takes about 3 hours to walk. At the foot of the mountain, there is a facility named "Ryozen Kodomonosato (Ryozen Children's Village)", which makes use of nature as it is, and you can stay at a campsite or cottage. There are also hot springs and accommodation facilities in the surrounding area, where you can take a day trip to the baths.		Date C.


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KAISEIZAN Park		sports facilities and park facilities
	This park is surrounded by water and greenery, with Lake Isuzu, which was created as an irrigation pond at the beginning of the Meiji era. It is known as one of the prefecture's leading cherry blossom viewing spots. It is a symbolic park for Koriyama residents.　It consists of sports facilities and park facilities. The sports facilities include an athletics stadium, baseball field, archery range, and indoor swimming pool, make them one of the Fukushima Prefecture's sports hubs. The area around Lake Isuzu, with its outdoor music hall and octagonal pavilion (a gazebo) has been developed as a place of relaxation, and is also the location of events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival with night illumination of the cherry blossoms during cherry blossom season and the Summer Festival. Entry is free of charge. However, there may be additional fees when using certain facilities within the park or for events held.		Koriyama C.

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NUNOBIKI Plateau		Wind Plateau
	The plateau spreads across Mt. Aizu Nunobiki on the south side of Lake Inawashiro. At an altitude of about 1,000 meters, it is a plateau with excellent views, from which you can see Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro. There are 33 windmills lined up on the plateau, and you can see the spectacular sight of them slowly rotating in the wind blowing in from Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro. For this reason, it is called the "Wind Plateau." In spring, rape blossoms bloom, in summer, sunflowers, and in autumn, cosmos flowers spread all over the place. The view of Lake Inawashiro, with Mt. Bandai reflected on the lake surface as seen from Nunobiki Plateau is wonderful. In winter, the road is closed due to deep snow.		Koriyama C.

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TAKAYASHIKI INARI Shrine		good for prosperity in business
	This Inari Shrine is characterized by its unique scenery, with numerous TORII Gates lined up on the grounds. Currently, there are about 100 torii gates, but in the past there were as many as 4,000. It is said to be good for praying for prosperity in business. The view from the top of the stone steps to the worship hall is spectacular. The Otaue Festival, a festival to pray for a bountiful rice harvest, is held every year from 1:00 pm on the first Sunday in June. Rice is planted by young maidens in the field in front of the first gate. They plant red rice seedlings, an ancient type of rice, accompanied by a shrine maiden dance.		Koriyama C.

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ADATARA Shrine

the main guardian deity of the district

It is said to have begun in 1146 when the gods of Mt. Adatara and Mt. Onakura were moved here and made the shrine the main guardian deity of the entire Adachi district. It is located on a hill in the north of Motomiya city. At the spring festival on May 1st, parishioners of Ukishima Shrine in the Shirasawa district of Motomiya city offer up the "Daidai Kagura" music. At the autumn festival, which is held for three days starting on the fourth Friday of October, three taiko (Drum) floats, traditional in the area of the former Nihonmatsu domain, are paraded through the town prior to the portable shrine procession. In the evening, a brave "naked portable shrine" is carried out.

Motomiya C.


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CHRYSANTHEMUM Doll		top three chrysanthemum dolls in Japan
	Every year from October to November, a chrysanthemum doll exhibition is held at Kasumigajo Park in Nihonmatsu Castle. Counted among the top three chrysanthemum dolls in Japan, the entire venue is filled with lustrous chrysanthemum flowers and colorful autumn leaves. Nihonmatsu has long been home to many chrysanthemum enthusiasts, and chrysanthemum dolls have been displayed around the town since the early 20th century. Since 1955, the Chrysanthemum Festival has been held in Kasumigajo Park as a spectacular event. Each doll is made using more than 50 chrysanthemums, and the chrysanthemums are dressed in a three-dimensional way, making it a sight to behold. The dolls are dressed-upchanged four to five times during the exhibition, so you can get a close-up look at the skilled craftsmanship.		Nihonmatsu C.

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EBISU CIRCUIT		called the Mecca of Drifting
	Opened in 1986. It has nine courses in the highlands at the foot of Mt. Adatara, and a wide range of events are held there, from racing to sports driving and drifting competitions. Each course is relatively small, and although it does not host big races such as SUPER GT or Super Formula, it is known for hosting drifting competitions such as the D1 Grand Prix, and is called the "Mecca of Drifting". It is attached to the Tohoku Safari Park, and various animals are kept along the road from the gate to the circuit.		Nihonmatsu C.

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DAKE Hot Spring		already known in Kyoto in the 9th century
	This hot spring has a long history, having already been known in Kyoto in the 9th century. Its long history has seen it encounter landslides and fires, and it has relocated and changed its appearance each time. The name of the hot spring has also changed many times before it became the current "Dake". Eventually, various inns and shops joined together, and it steadily developed as a modern hot spring. It is said to be effective for gastrointestinal disorders and neuralgia. The water is usually clear, but once a week it turns milky white, known as "Milky Day", and is one of the famous attractions of Dake Onsen. Milky Day usually falls on every Monday, but the date can be delayed due to bad weather or other circumstances.		Nihonmatsu C.

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CHOCHIN (Lantern) Festival		one of three major lantern festivals in Japan
	Nihonmatsu Shrine's autumn festival, also known as the "Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival," is held on the first Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of October every year. It boasts a tradition dating back more than 360 years, and is counted as one of three major lantern festivals in Japan. The highlight of this lantern festival is the evening festival on the first day. On this day, seven taiko (drum) floats loaded with lanterns are paraded from each town, and the bonfires of Nihonmatsu Shrine are transferred to the red lanterns. The highlight is the sight of 3,000 lanterns traveling across the night sky, burning red. This is the only day that all town gather together for the night-time parade.		Nihonmatsu C.


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SHIRAKAWA Daruma Doll		traditional Japanese doll
	Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that have been worshipped in Japan for centuries as symbols of good luck, success, and perseverance. The basic color of Daruma dolls is red, but in recent years, modern and cute designs have also appeared. Shirakawa Daruma dolls are characterized by their long beards. There are red Daruma dolls that are said to ward off evil and ensure safety in the home, and white Daruma dolls that are said to bring good luck. Most Daruma dolls are "eyeless Daruma dolls," in which one eye (the right one as you face it) is filled in when the doll is purchased, and the other eye is filled in when a wish is granted. The Shirakawa Daruma Market, the largest city festival in the region, is held every year on February 11th.		Shirakawa C.

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Lake NANKO Park		Nanko means "southern lake" in Japanese
	In 1801, the feudal lord created the park as a recreational area for commoners, regardless of their social status, with the idea of "Shimin Kyoraku" (the happiness of Samurais and commoners), and it is said to be the oldest park in Japan. Pine trees are densely distributed on the hills, flowers are scattered among them, and there is a wide variety of ornamental plants. There are islands in the pond, making it a sightseeing spot. The name Nanko is said to come from a line in a poem by the 8th century Chinese poet Li Bai, or because it was located south of Shirakawa Komine Castle. The park is about 2 kilometers in circumference, and allowing you to enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. The teahouse by the lakeside of Nanko Park serves the famous Nanko Dango (dumplings).		Shirakawa C.

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SHIRAKAWA no Seki		ancient checkpoint
	One of the ancient checkpoints in Japan. It is historically famous as the checkpoint established from the Nara to Heian periods. It has been considered the "gateway to Michinoku (present-day Tohoku region)." It is unclear when it was established, but old records indicate that it was established in the first half of the 5th century. Shirakawa Seki no Mori Park (Forest Park at Shirakawa checkpoint) is adjacent to the remains of Shirakawa no Seki. Within the spacious park, there are many facilities, including a thatched-roof house relocated from the Shirakawa city, a watermill where you can try making soba noodles (reservations required), play equipment, and a product corner, so you can spend a relaxing time surrounded by tranquil scenery.		Shirakawa C.

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SHIRAKAWA Ramen		famous local ramen
	Shirakawa is a nationally known ramen spot, with over 100 ramen shops in the city that boast delicious flavors. The chewy, hand-made noodles are mixed with the flavorful soup to create an exquisite flavor. The first ramen shop in Shirakawa opened in 1921, so it can be said that "Shirakawa ramen" had an early start in the history of ramen in Japan. The traditional style is a clear soy sauce-based soup made mainly from pork bones and chicken carcasses, and hand-made noodles made with a wooden stick, but recently some shops have been serving different types of noodles.		Shirakawa C.


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TAIMATSU AKASHI Fire Festival		a festival with torches
	This festival originated in 1589, when vassals and citizens gathered with torches in hand to defend the castle after it was attacked by a neighboring domain. Since then, it has continued to be held to mourn the souls of those who died as warriors. This fire festival has been held for 430 years and is counted as one of the three major fire festivals in Japan. 30 very heavy, 10-meters-long torches are carried by 150 young men through the town, then set up on the mountain and lit. As the brave sound of torch drums reverberates, the 30 torches are lit and the mountainside is engulfed in red flames. It is held on the second Saturday of November every year.		Sukagawa C.

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FUKUSHIMA Airport		Holy land of Ultraman
	The airport was opened in 1993 after being excavated from the hills of the Abukuma Mountains. After the installation of parallel taxiways and other measures, it was fully opened to the public in 2000. As Sukagawa City is the hometown of Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Ultraman, the airport is decorated with an Ultraman theme inside and outside the airport, including statues of characters from the Ultra Series. There are also a variety of events at the airport. Nearby is Fukushima Airport Park, which has a theme of people, nature, and science, and is a place of relaxation for the prefecture's residents. There is free parking for 2,300 cars.		Sukagawa C.

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SUKAGAWA Poeny Garden		the best time is from late April to mid-May
	The Sukagawa Peony Garden began in the late 18th century when a drug dealer brought peony seedlings from Settsu Province (present-day Takarazuka City closed to Kobe) to this area to cultivate them for medicinal purposes. Today, the vast garden is filled with 290 varieties and 7,000 large peony flowers. The best time to see the peonies is from late April to mid-May. Sukagawa Peony Garden is the only peony garden in Japan designated as a national scenic spot. It is one of the world's largest scenic spots in terms of size and beauty. An admission fee is required during the peonies' flowering season, but it is free to visit at other seasons.		Sukagawa C.


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ABUKUMA Cave		one of leading limestone caves in Japan
	Abukuma Cave was discovered by chance in 1969 during limestone mining. It is one of Japan's leading limestone caves, with a total length of 4,218.3 meters and 600 meters public section, and is home to a wide variety of stalactites. The beauty of nature's creation over time fascinates visitors. The average temperature inside the cave is around 14°C, and since it does not fluctuate much throughout the year, wine is also stored there. Part of Abukuma Cave is a tourist cave, with a 600 meters general course and a 120 mmeers exploration course. The Fureaikan (contact house) named "Hoshi no Mura Fureaikan" and the Observatory named "Hoshi no Mura Astronomical Observatory" are both maintained as a single facility in the area.		Tamura C.

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MUSHI MUSHI (insect & insect) Land		insect museum
	This insect theme park (insect museum) opened in 1991. It touts itself as "only insect paradise in Japan." Tamura City is a town with a thriving tobacco leaf production industry, and the idea started when many rhinoceros beetle larvae were discovered growing in the leaf mold used as fertilizer for tobacco leaves. The resident staff will not only carefully explain everything from how to raise insects to their ecology, but also provide time to interact directly with the insects on display and the rhinoceros beetles that are kept free-roaming in a natural environment. Barbecue facilities and accommodation are also available.		Tamura C.

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ONINGYOUSAMA (Mr./Ms. Doll)		large god
	A god of protection against evil. A large god made of straw is enshrined here as a talisman. It is said that this was erected as a talisman to prevent evil spirits from entering the villages after the spread of a deadly disease during the Edo period. There are doll Jizo statues all over the Tohoku region, but this doll's unique feature is that it is this too large. It is about 4 meters tall, holds a naginata and a sword, and spreads its arms as if blocking the way. Its face has the expression of a great demon, glaring to stop anything bad from entering from outside. There are three dolls in the city, each with a different expression. The clothes of the dolls are changed every April.		Tamura C.


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KAWAMATA Organdy Silk		the thinnest silk fabric in the world
	The origin of Kawamata silk is said to be 1,300 years ago, when the emperor's wife, searching for her missing son, arrived here in Kawamata, planted mulberry trees, started raising silkworms, and taught him how to weave. In the Meiji era, Kawamata Habutae (a type of silk fabric) suddenly became all the rage as mass production through mechanization was successfully achieved. After the world war 2, Kawamata initially struggled due to the effects of chemical fibers and cheap Asian products, but eventually high-end designers around the world recognized the high quality of Kawamata silk, and now Kawamata silk is attracting attention around the world. "Fairy Feather", the world's thinnest and most flexible silk fabric, was developed in this town and is so light that it feels like wearing a garment made of air. What's more, it is mass-produced by machine.		Kawamata T.

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KAWAMATA Shamo (gamecook)		one of luxury food ingredient nowadays
	During the Edo period, Kawamata town prospered through silk textile production and produced many "silk millionaires," for whom cockfighting was a popular form of entertainment. This tradition subsequently disappeared, but as part of an effort to revitalize the town, inspired by the relationship between silk and Shamo (Gamecock), research into edible Shamo meat began in 1983, and after much trial and error, the modern-day "Kawamata Shamo" was created. The breeding density is set at five to six birds per square meter so that the birds can move around freely, and the shamo meat, which is raised in a free-range environment with little stress, has an inherent chicken flavor that develops the more you chew it. It is now recognized as a luxury food ingredient.		Kawamata T

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ATSUKASHIYAMA Fortress		old battlefield ruins
	This fortress facility, consisting of moats and earthworks, was built by Fujiwara Yasuhira's Oshu army to fight off the Kamakura army led by Minamoto Yoritomo, who established the first samurai government. It was the main battlefield of the Battle of Atsukashiyama in 1189, and is designated as a national historic site. This area has a sturdy structure, with double moats carved into the bedrock.		Kunimi T.


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YAMAMOTO Shrine		for good luck and protection from misfortune
	Founded in the early 9th century. After passing through rows of cedar trees over 100 years old and climbing up 130 stone steps, a giant rock cave appears at the top of the steps, and within the cave is a sacred site where the principal image of the deity is enshrined. The Miyagawa River, a tributary of the Kuji River, flows through the grounds of Yamamoto Fudoson Shrine, and yamame (scientific name: Oncorhynchus masou) trouts swim in the clear stream. The blessings of this place are good luck and protection from evil. The surrounding valley has been designated a "Prefectural Natural Park," so you can enjoy the rich nature to the fullest. From late October to November, the leaves turn a stunning red in this area.There is also a campsite.		Tanagura T.

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YUKIWARIBASHI Bridge		meaning broken snow bridge in Japanese
	The bridge located upstream of the Abukuma River, the second longest river in the Tohoku region. It spans the deeply carved Yukiwari Gorge, resembling the Grand Canyon. It is about 50 meters above the gorge, and looking down from the bridge will make your legs tremble. It is surrounded by steep rocks. The view of Yukiwari Bridge from the observation deck on the adjacent promenade is spectacular, and many photography enthusiasts visit in the autumn foliage season. At the foot of the bridge there is restaurant, souvenir shop, a park where you can have a barbecue.		Nishigo V.