Introduction to Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture is the third largest prefecture in Japan, divided into the Aizu, Nakadori, and Hamadori regions, each with different climates and characteristics. Fukushima Prefecture is a land of nature, history, and tradition, with natural wonders such as Oze and Lake Inawashiro, historical landmarks such as Tsurugajo Castle and Ouchi-juku, and traditions passed down through the Soma Nomaoi and Aizu Tajima Gionsai festivals. The Aizu region, Nakadori, and Hamadori each have their own distinct charms, and with seasonal flowers and fruits, visitors can enjoy a trip to Fukushima Prefecture, which is rich in attractions any time of the year, spring, summer, fall, or winter.
Geographic location
Fukushima Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region of Japan and is an area of beautiful nature and historical sites.
To the west, the Aizu region includes Mt. Bandai, which is cool in the mountains in summer and snowy in winter, Lake Inawashiro, and Oze National Park.
The central Nakadori area is relatively cool in the mountains in summer and cold and snowy in winter.Hamadori on the east side is relatively cool in summer with cool breezes from the sea, and mild in winter with almost no snowfall.
History
Ancient to Medieval Times
Fukushima Prefecture’s history dates back to ancient times, as far back as the Nara period (710-794). The region is dotted with historical sites, shrines, and Buddhist temples, and the ancient culture is still alive. In the Middle Ages, the Aizu region and Wakamatsu Castle became important centers during the Warring States and Edo periods.
Sengoku Period and Edo Period
During the Warring States Period, a powerful warlord, the Ashina clan, rose to prominence in the Aizu region. During the Edo period, the Fukushima clan was established and the castle town prospered. Fukushima Castle and Nihonmatsu Castle are historical structures from this period.
Bakumatsu-Meiji Period
At the end of the Edo period, there was upheaval as the Aizu clan served the shogunate. During the Boshin War, numerous battles were fought in Fukushima Prefecture. Later, in the Meiji Era, as modernization progressed, Fukushima Prefecture entered a new era.
From the 20th century to the present day
In the early 20th century, industry developed in Fukushima Prefecture, and coal mining and agriculture flourished. After World War II, however, the area went through a process of reconstruction, which in recent years was affected by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Thanks to the efforts of local residents, reconstruction is underway again.
Culture
Traditional craft
Fukushima Prefecture’s appeal lies in its breath of Edo culture, traditional crafts, delicious local products, and the spirit of recovery. Edo culture remains strong in Tsurugajo Castle and Ouchi-juku, and traditional events such as Soma Nomaoi and the Aizu Tajima Gionsai Festival are alive and well. Aizu lacquerware, Ohori Soma-yaki pottery, Aizu Hongo-yaki pottery, and Oku-Aizu wickerwork are designated as traditional crafts, and folk crafts such as Miharu-koma and picture candles are also abundant.
Hope Tourism
As the challenges of reconstruction continue, Fukushima Prefecture is attracting attention as a Hope Tourism destination. Visitors can feel the bold challenges of the local people and the revitalization of the region through their visit, which provides an opportunity to consider the lessons learned from the earthquake and nuclear accident. Museums and reconstruction sites in the affected areas are open to the public, offering scenes of rebuilding with an eye toward the future.
Tourists will receive a warm welcome from the locals and an interest in post-disaster reconstruction. Driving along the Hamadori and Sanriku coasts, rebuilt towns, new industrial parks, and solar power plants offer a strong sense of hope.
Tourist attraction
Fukushima is dotted with natural beauty and historical sites.
Tsurugajo (Wakamatsu Castle)
Tsurugajo (Wakamatsu Castle), with its beautiful red-tiled five-story castle tower, is one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan and is known as an “impregnable castle.” During the Boshin War of 1868, the castle withstood an attack by the new government forces and was praised for its historical achievement. Inside the castle, materials related to the history of Aizu are on display, and the top floor offers a view of Mount Bandai and Aizu. In spring, the castle is famous for its more than 1,000 cherry trees in bloom, making it a symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu City.
Bandai-san (Japanese name for Mt. Bandai)
Mt. Bandai is a stratovolcano located north of Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture and has an andesitic conical volcanic body. Akahani, Oobandai, and Kushigamine surround the Numanodaira crater. The volcano has collapsed several times in the past, resulting in its current shape. From the top of Bandai, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Inawashiro and the Azuma Federation. Omote-bandai on the south side is well-shaped and is called “Aizu Fuji,” while Ura-bandai on the north side shows the power of nature as it still retains the traces of the mountain collapse caused by a phreatic explosion in 1888.
Urabandai Plateau
Urabandai Kogen is located in the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture and is a highland resort area with beautiful scenery of Mt. Bandai, Lake Hibara, and Goshiki-numa Swamp are representative tourist spots, known for their scenic beauty created by nature. Bandai, which rises at the center of the mountain, is home to mysterious lakes and marshes such as Goshiki-numa, which was formed when the mountain collapsed in 1888, and was awarded a Michelin Green Guide star in 2016. Unlike Omotebandai, Urabandai is a desolate expanse of the remains of a collapsed mountain body, and was recognized as one of the 100 best geological sites in Japan in 2007 and as a Japan Geopark in 2011. Furthermore, it was recognized as an important bird habitat by international standards and is home to a variety of wild birds. There are abundant activities in nature, which can be enjoyed during the green season and winter respectively.
Ouchijuku
Ouchijuku is located in Minamiaizu and prospered as a busy lodging town during the Edo period. Today, its history is preserved through traditional thatched-roof buildings, customs, and daily utensils, and it has been designated as a national preservation area. Thanks to the efforts of the local residents, the traditional landscape has been preserved and has been passed down as a tourist attraction. The specialty of Ouchi-juku is “Negi-soba,” or green onion soba, and the Minamiaizu area is known for its high-quality soba. Visitors can also enjoy “Aizu Jidori,” a local brand of chicken, and “Shingorou,” a local dish.
Food culture
Fukushima’s food culture is rooted in fresh ingredients and traditional cuisine.
Kitakata Ramen
Kitakata ramen is one of the three most famous ramen in Japan, along with Hakata ramen and Sapporo ramen. It is characterized by its thick “flat, aged, multi-added noodles,” which are thick and have a unique frizz to them. The soup is basically soy sauce flavored, but there are many variations depending on the restaurant. The noodles, made with groundwater from the Iide Mountains, are flat and thick, and have an appealing texture when you slurp and a chewy texture when you chew. As one of Kitakata’s most popular tourist attractions, this ramen is one of the pleasures of visitors to “Kura-no-machi”.
Kozuyu
“Kozuyu” is a traditional dish from the Aizu region. It is a light-flavored soup made from a combination of seafood and mountain vegetables. Dried scallops are added to the broth, along with grilled fu, taro, shirataki mushrooms, kikurage mushrooms, and other ingredients. It originated as a samurai family dish in the late Edo period and is still eaten at New Year’s and special events, and is considered an indispensable dish especially for weddings. The ingredients are a well-balanced combination of sea and mountain delicacies, and although light in flavor, the sumptuous taste can be enjoyed.
Shingoro
Shingoro is a traditional local dish of Minamiaizu Town and Shimogo Town. It is made of half-pounding Uruchi rice, skewered on bamboo sticks, coated with Junen Miso (sweet miso mixed with sesame seeds), and grilled over charcoal. It is made in the fall during the harvest season to express gratitude for a good harvest and thanksgiving. It is believed to have originated in the old days when people were poor and could not obtain glutinous rice.
Negi Soba
Ouchijuku is an Edo period post town in southern Fukushima Prefecture, known as a tourist destination. A particularly popular specialty here is “Negi Soba” (green onion soba). This unique soba has a novel style in which a single green onion is used in place of chopsticks and dipped in spicy radish broth. The green onion not only enhances the flavor of the soba, but can also be enjoyed as a condiment. Please try this specialty Negi Soba when you visit Ouchijuku.
Peach
Fukushima Prefecture is one of the leading peach-growing areas in Japan, producing many varieties of peaches, especially “AKATSUKI”. Due to the difference in temperature and the long growing season, peaches are characterized by their dark peach color, sweetness, and firm flesh. Peaches in Fukushima are in season from July to September, and visitors can enjoy not only fresh peaches but also sweets made from them. The basin climate of Fukushima City and Date City is suitable for growing peaches, and peaches that have been exposed to plenty of sunshine are especially delicious.
Activities
There is a wide variety of activities to enjoy in Fukushima.
Winter sports
Fukushima Prefecture has a variety of climates in winter, ranging from snowy to snowless areas. The Aizu area, in particular, is a heavy snowfall area with many ski resorts. However, the Hamadori area has almost no snowfall and outdoor sports can be enjoyed. Fukushima Prefecture is a ski paradise with its snow quality and beautiful nature. In the 2023-2024 season, the former Alts Bandai and Nekoma ski resorts will be merged to open the Hoshino Resort Nekoma Mountain, one of the largest resorts in Japan. In the Urabandai area, winter activities include “Yellow Falls,” which can be seen only in winter, and trekking tours to see the ice temples formed in the abandoned tunnel connecting Fukushima City and Yonezawa City.
Tour of a hot spring
Fukushima is dotted with hot spring resorts and offers an abundance of relaxing hot spring accommodations.
The three famous hot springs in Fukushima City, Takayu Onsen, Tsuchiyu Onsen, and Iizaka Onsen, are all about the same distance from Fukushima Station, yet each has different characteristics and attractions.
- Takayu Hot Spring
- It has a history of over 400 years and is located at the gateway to the Bandai-Azuma Skyline.
- It is a 100% free-flowing sulfur spring, known as a hot spring for beautiful skin.
- The town has nothing but hot springs and a code that protects the hot springs and the natural environment, and it remains surrounded by the natural beauty of Mt.
- Tsuchiyu Onsen
- Located in Bandai-Asahi National Park, visitors can enjoy strolling around the hot spring resort and exploring nature.
- As the birthplace of kokeshi dolls, Tsuchiyu kokeshi dolls welcome visitors throughout the town.
- The town is being developed to incorporate a new hot spring culture while preserving its rich nature and traditions.
- Iizaka Onsen
- It is a historic hot spring resort and has been visited by many literary figures and artists.
- The town has a retro, nostalgic atmosphere and beautiful hot spring baths.
- You can also enjoy popular local public bathhouses and Iizaka’s specialty food, as well as historic sites and places of interest.
Wakasagi Fishing
Lake Hibara is famous for wakasagi fishing, which can be enjoyed from fall through winter on domed boats or on ice. The lake is long and narrow from north to south, with a maximum depth of 30 meters and a circumference of 32 km, making it the largest lake in the Urabandai area. Ice fishing for wakasagi is moderately challenging.
Bandai Azuma Skyline
The 29-km long, 1,622-meter-high Bandai-Azuma Skyline, which runs from Fukushima City to Bandai Plateau, is a large scale mountain road that has been recognized as one of the “100 Best Roads in Japan. The middle point of the Bandai-Azuma Skyline is named “Jodododaira” because the scenery looks like the world after death, and it is a popular spot for enjoying a scenic drive. The beautiful scenery, which varies with the seasons from spring to fall, makes this a popular tourist spot that visitors will want to visit again and again. However, caution is required due to high gas concentrations in some areas, and the road is closed in winter due to snow accumulation.
Seasonal Recommendations
Fukushima has seasonal attractions, and there are activities recommended for each season.
Spring
Spring in Fukushima is the season for cherry blossoms and traditional events, making it the perfect place for a cherry blossom viewing trip. The following are some of the most notable cherry blossom viewing spots and festivals.
Miharu Takizakura (mid-April)
This famous cherry tree symbolizes the spring in Fukushima, with its magnificent blooming of the more than 1,000 year old benishidare-zakura (weeping cherry) trees. The beautiful sight of the light red cherry trees blooming like a waterfall is divine.
Kannonji River Cherry Blossom Festival (mid-April to early May)
The 1km-long rows of cherry blossom trees along the Kannonji River paint the riverside in light red. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, held when the cherry blossoms are at their best, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery as well as the sound of the rapids.
Kaiseizan Grand Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival (early to late April)
This is a spring festival held in and around the Kaiseizan Grand Shrine, the Ise Shrine of Tohoku. Kaiseiyama Park is also lit up and the cherry blossoms glow gorgeously at night. Visitors can enjoy hanami worship while feeling the arrival of spring.
Summer
In summer in Fukushima, outdoor recreation can be enjoyed at highland resorts such as Bandai Plateau and Inawashiro, and you can enjoy the great outdoors on nature trails and highland drives.
Soma Nomaoi (last Saturday, Sunday and Monday in May)
Soma Nomaoi is a festival held in the Soma region of Fukushima Prefecture and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. 400 mounted warriors in armor, wearing tachi swords and flags fluttering in the wind perform in a dignified manner over three days. This festival is a rare opportunity to see real samurai and a spectacular period-picture scroll-like spectacle.
Spa Resort Hawaiians
Spa Resort Hawaiians is a large-scale leisure facility located in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, with four distinctive Hawaiian-themed hotels and a theme park. Visitors of all ages can enjoy the large heated swimming pool, hot springs, hula girl shows, and other attractions. There is also a large all-weather dome “water park,” a southern European-style indoor spa, and a variety of other facilities that can be enjoyed all year round. Hotels and free shuttle buses are also available, making it a great place for families and three generations of parents and children to travel together.
Aizu Tajima Gion Festival (3 days from July 22 to 24 every year)
The Aizu Tajima Gion Festival is a three-day festival held annually from July 22 to 24 in the Tajima district of Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture, for the Tade-Uga Shrine and Kumano Shrine. This festival is one of the three major Gion festivals in Japan and is crowded with tourists, with numerous stalls and four large stalls. Events include children’s kabuki, a seven-gyoji parade, a portable shrine procession, and the final day of the festival’s Taisai Mikagura (Shinto music and dance), offering a wide variety of attractions. During the festival, doburoku, a special sacred sake, is served at the shrine office, making it a must-see event for those who love to drink.
Autumn
In Fukushima in autumn, different climates on the sea side and inland areas allow visitors to enjoy the autumn leaves for a long period of time. Bandai-Azuma Skyline, Nakatsugawa Valley, Adatara-yama, and many other places of beautiful autumn foliage.
Bandai-Azuma Skyline (early to mid-October)
As the elevation increases, the autumn leaves on the surface of the mountains deepen, and you can experience a drive with a series of spectacular views. Please be sure to experience the autumn colors of the mountains, which can only be seen at this time of year.
Goshikinuma (October-November)
The lake is called “Mysterious Lakes and Marshes” because the surface of the lake, with its diverse hues of emerald green and cobalt blue, draws the viewer in. Especially during the fall foliage season from mid-October to early November, visitors can enjoy the unique autumn scenery of colorful trees combined with the beautiful water.
Natsui River Kei Valley (Early to mid-November)
Located in Iwaki City, Natsuigawa Valley is a beautiful valley that can be viewed from the windows of the Ban-Etsu East Line. Especially from early to mid-November, the gorge is beautifully colored with autumn leaves of maple trees, maples, and other trees. The valley is about 16 km long, with varied scenery created by the granite of the Abukuma Mountains. Visitors are allowed to enter the valley up to the Tocchake Falls, but are not allowed to enter after that point. In the fall season, the colors begin to change from late October, and the best time to view the leaves is from early to mid-November.
Winter
Inland areas of Fukushima are deep in snow, and in the midst of it all, Ouchi-juku, lit by snow lanterns, seems lost in an atmosphere reminiscent of an old tale. Winter festivals, snow-viewing baths in the hot springs, and New Year’s festivals soothe the soul. Tsurugajo Castle and Lake Inawashiro are also famous tourist attractions. In winter, visitors can enjoy snowy scenery and enjoy the unique winter scenery of Lake Inawashiro with its splashing ice and swans. Snowshoe trekking is also recommended in Urabandai.
Ouchijuku (late December to March)
In winter, Ouchijuku is a charming inn town where Edo period streets remain and snow lanterns are lit from late December to March, and a snow festival is held.
Shirakawa Daruma Market (usually February 11)
The Shirakawa Daruma Market is usually held on February 11 along the old Mutsu Highway and is known as the largest market festival in the southern part of the prefecture. This festival is held in the hope of prosperity and is considered to be part of the city’s 300-year history of the Ichigami Festival. On the day of the festival, the city’s central shopping district is crowded with more than 150,000 people, and the festival is a great success from morning until dusk.
Winter sports (late December to late March)
Urabandai is accessible in 2.5 hours by train from central Tokyo and is known as a winter ski resort where you can enjoy real powder snow. It is popular among a wide range of people, from beginners to professional athletes, as it has various ski resorts such as Grandeco Snow Resort and Urabandaï Ski Resort. Urabandaï is surrounded by lakes and marshes of various sizes, with about 300 lakes and marshes, and is known for its beautiful ice falls in winter. The “Yellow Falls” in particular are popular as a spot where huge, waterfall-like icefalls appear in winter from huge, wet rocks in summer, evoking the mystery of nature.
Local Culture
Local culture in Fukushima is traditional and fascinating.
Aizu Buke Yashiki
Aizu Buke Yashiki is a history-themed open-air museum located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, where historical buildings have been restored or relocated, centering on the residence of Yoritomo Saigo, a retainer of the Aizu domain. The facility displays mainly Japanese architecture of the Edo period, and in the 38-room retainer residence, scenes of the use of each room are realistically reproduced using wax dolls.
Traditional handicrafts
Fukushima Prefecture has 40 traditional crafts, including lacquerware, ceramics, woodwork, textiles, and Japanese paper. These crafts are made by hand using traditional techniques and skills, as well as materials traditionally used in everyday life. Some of the most representative crafts are introduced below.
Aizu lacquer ware
Aizu-nuri is a type of lacquerware popular in Fukushima and used for bowls, stacked boxes, confectionery bowls, and other items. It is characterized by its robust lacquering and elegant designs such as chinkin, shu-boshi, and maki-e. In particular, urushi-e, known as Aizu-e, patterns are drawn with a brush dipped in colored lacquer and combined with a beautiful water surface to create a magnificent masterpiece. Aizu-nuri has a beautiful surface, is resistant to water penetration, and is strong and durable.
Obori Soma-yaki
Ohori Soma Pottery is a handmade pottery established in the mid-Edo period and has a 300-year tradition under the protection of the Soma clan. The main products are simple vessels characterized by a cracked ground pattern called “aohibi,” which evokes the atmosphere of the rich climate of the Tohoku region. The bluish color and unique cracks express the strong character of Ohori Soma Pottery.
Aizu Hongo-yaki
Aizu Hongo Pottery produces both pottery and porcelain, a rare feature in the ceramic industry. The pottery has a rustic atmosphere, using candy glaze and natural ash glaze. Porcelain is painted with gosu or Japanese and Western paints, which expresses the individuality of the painter. Originating in the Warring States period, it was cultivated under the protection of the Aizu domain in the early Edo period.
Okuaizu Braided Craft
Okuaizu wickerwork is a hand-knitted craft using natural materials that is both simple and delicate. In hiroro-zaiku, hand baskets and hand held baskets are made, characterized by their fine weave and a finish similar to lace weaving. Yamabudo-zaiku is a strong material that is used to make sturdy baskets and pastry dishes. Matatabi work is mainly used for cooking utensils such as rice polishing colanders and four-eyed colanders, and is characterized by its soft texture and good drainage.
Transportation
Access to Fukushima is convenient, with major transportation options available.
Shinkansen
From Tokyo, access is possible by the Tohoku Shinkansen. The Shinkansen takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tokyo to Fukushima. Please experience the comfortable Japanese Shinkansen.
Express Bus
Express buses run from major cities to Fukushima for easy access. The travel time from Tokyo to Fukushima is approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. The Shinkansen bullet train is about 2 hours and 40 minutes faster, but the express bus is less expensive.
Lastly
Fukushima is an attractive destination for visitors to Japan, where beautiful nature and historical sites coexist. For nature lovers, history buffs, foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and those interested in culture, Fukushima offers a wide range of experiences. We invite you to explore the charms of Fukushima.