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Q. － What comes on your mind when you hear the best tourist attraction in Fukushima?

Here is the result from 400 responders who answered to Style Koriyama’s questionnaire!

Fukushima, the third largest prefecture in Japan, is packed with fascinating attractions from Aizu area embraced by magnificent mountains to Hama-dori area that stretches along the east coast. So which ones are recommended by our readers? Check the result as below!
Note: Multiple answers are included.

Best 1 – 10 (Ranked by number of votes)

No.1: Tsuruga-jo/ Aizu Wakamatsu-jo (Castle) in Aizu Wakamatsu City

This castle is said to have been originally called Higashi Kurokawa Yakata built as a residence of a head of a samurai family, Naomori Ashina in the first year of Shitoku (1384) at the beginning of Muromachi era. Now being considered as an iconic place of Aizu Wakamatsu City, it still stands there within the city’s public park.

No.2: Inawasihro Area / Inawashiro Lake (Includes: Hanitsu Jinja, Cherry Blossom Trees along Kan-non-ji River, Kamerena Park, Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall)

Inawashiro Lake

Around this fourth largest lake of Japan, Inawashiro-ko (lake), several water activities visitors can try, such as lake swimming, water sports, fishing, etc. are on offer. In this area, there are many beautiful places in natural environments, historical facilities as well as places for onsen, leisure, and delicious food.

No.3: Goshiki-numa / Lakes

“Goshiki-numa Lakes” located in Urabandai is a series of beautiful lakes formed by volcanic eruptions of Bandai-san (mountain). Its name literally means “five colors lakes” and each of the lakes in forests shows a brilliant color such as emerald green and cobalt blue. In every season, great natural sceneries are waiting for you up here.

No.4: Ouchijuku and Tou-no-hetsuri in Shimogou Machi, Minami Aizu Gun

Ouchijuku

In Ouchijuku, a quaint historical townscape of Edo era can still be seen. There are over 30 thatch-roofed houses lined up along the street, which would make you feel like you are in the old days of Japan. Famous food specialty of this place is “Negi Soba (buckwheat noodles with a whole Japanese leek)”.

Tou-no-hetsuri

This magnificent scenic spot situated in Shimogou Machi, Minami Aizu Gun was created by millions of years of erosion and weathering. “Hetsuri” is a dialect of Aizu area and means a steep sheer cliff.

No.5: Urabandai Area (Bandai-san, Bandai Highland, Hibara Lake, Ski Resort)

Hibara Lake

The Urabandai area is surrounded by an exquisite natural environment that boasts its well-known scenic attractions including Bandai-san (mountain), Hibara Lake, and Goshiki-numa as well as brilliant lakes and clear streams. Many tourists visit this area all through the year.

Ski Resort

No.6: Aizu Wakamatsu City / Aizu Area

With Aizu Wakamatsu being its major city, Aizu area has many attractive places with natural beauty such as ski resorts and onsen facilities.

No.7: Taki-zakura (Cherry Blossom Tree) in Miharu Machi

Taki-zakura is a huge weeping cherry blossom tree, Beni-shidare-zakura, in Miharu Machi, Tamura Gun. It is a national natural monument and also called as “Miharu-no Taki-zakura”, or” Taki-zakura”. In spring, lots of people visit to see this magnificent tree which is well acknowledged as one of Japan’s five/three major huge cherry blossom trees.

No.8: Spa Resort Hawaiians in Iwaki City

As a large scaled leisure facility, this resort in Joban, Iwaki City boasts various fantastic amenities that include a huge warm pool, onsen facility, hotels, golf courses, etc. There is a Japanese film titled “Hula Girl”, which is a story about a history of its former facility, Joban Hawaiian Center.

No.9: Aqua Marine Fukushima and Beaches in Iwaki

Aqua Marine Fukushima

This is one of the biggest aquariums in Tohoku area. Being located in Onahama, Iwaki City, it exhibits over 800 types of marine life under the theme of Sea with Ocean Currents. As it is an experience-oriented aquarium, they continuously offer various fun experience events.

Beach in Iwaki

N0.10: Abukuma-dou (Limestone Cave) in Tamura City

Tamura city has a fantastic limestone cave called Abukuma-dou, whose full strength is about 600 meters (about 1,900 feet), and inside of which there are enormous kinds and numbers of limestones being considered as the best in East Asia. People can appreciate the spectacular natural beauty created by about 80 million years of erosion caused by groundwater drops.

Best 11 – 20

No.11: Hanami-yama (Lit. Flower Viewing Mountain) in Fukushima City

This place used to be a thicket, but after a flower farmer and his son had cleared it and planted flowers and flowering trees, the brilliance of those made Hanami-yama well known. It has been open to public for free since Showa 34 (1959) as a park. Especially in spring, the view is so breathtaking that people refer it as a “Shangri-La”.

No.12: Iimori-yama in Aizu Wakamatsu City

Place of Suicide of Byakkotai (Military Unit Consisted of Young Samurai Soldiers)

Iimori-yama is a 314 meter-height mountain in Aizu Wakamatsu City. Also known as a place where young samurai soldiers who had belonged to a unit called Byakkotai committed suicide, and their graves, “Byakkotai Jukyu-shi no Haka (Lit. Graves of 19 soldiers of white tiger unit)” were built at the same place. On the mountainside, there is a unique architecture called Sazae-do, which is also worth to visit.

No.13: Kaisei-zan Park with Kaiseikan (Museum) and Kaiseizan Daijingu (Shrine)

Kaisei-zan Park

Iconic Park of Koriyama located in the center of the city.

Kaiseikan

Museum that exhibits historical documents and materials about the development and irrigation of Asaka area in Koriyama.

Kaiseizan Daijingu

People call this shrine “Tohoku no Oise-sama (Ise Deity of Tohoku area)” since the divided spirit of Ise is worshipped here.

No.14: Culture Park in Koriyama City

Culture Park is a leisure facility located in Asaka-machi, Koriyama. Due to its various amenities including an amusement park called Dreamland, Swimming pools, and Culture Center, it earns its popularity from people around the area as an easy-access spot.

No.15: Iwaki City (Onahama Area, Comprehensive Facility, Iwaki La La Mew )

In this Fukushima’s biggest city with the largest population, there are a plenty of tourist attractions such as Spa Resort Hawaiians, Aqua Marine Fukushima, Iwaki Yumoto Onsen, etc. Amazing place to visit.

Iwaki La La Mew

Comprehensive facility that includes a fresh seafood market, restaurants and shops for souvenirs.

No.17: Oze (National Park)

Its total area is 37,200ha (about 140 square miles). This national park lies across 4 prefectures: Fukushima, Tochigi, Gunma, and Niigata. Perfect place to appreciate magnificent views and seasonal flowers.

No.17: Nihonmatsu no Kikuningyo (Chrysanthemum Doll Festival) in Nihonmatsu City

This festival has been held annually over 60 years. Under the theme set by a committee each year, over 100 life-size dolls decorated with colorful chrysanthemum flowers are exhibited.

No.18: Iizaka Onsen in Fukushima City, Higashiyama Onsen in Aizu Wakamatsu City, and Other Onsen Spots in Fukushima

In Fukushima prefecture, there are 132 onsen spots, which is ranked the 5th in Japan. Try and enjoy various types of spring water and services.

Iizaka Onsen

Higashiyama Onsen

No.19: Big-i (Space Park, Planetarium)

Big-i is a high-rise building with 24 floors and one basement floor. Located in front of Koriyama Station. Its floors from 20th to 24th are designated for Koriyama City Fureai Science Museum, aka “Space Park”, which is listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest planetarium in the world. Its honorary president is a famous Japanese cartoonist, Reiji Matsumoto.

No.20: Licca-chan Castle in Ono Machi

Licca-chan Castle located in Ono Shin-machi, Fukushima prefecture is an open factory with integrated manufacturing system for Licca-chan dolls. Within the site, there is a museum that exhibits all Licca chan dolls from the first model. Visitors can customize dolls to their liking and purchase them at this museum.

Other Recommended Natural Attractions (In random order)

Adatara Kogen (highland) Ski Resort in Adatara-san (Mountain)

Bandai Azuma Skyline (Scenic Sightseeing Road, Popular especially in Autumn)

Jodo-daira (Marshland with Breathtaking View) in Fukushima City

San-no-kura Kogen Hanabatake (Highland Flower Garden) in Kitakata City

Nunohiki Kaze no Kogen (Highland Embraced by Winds) in Koriyama City
Huge wind turbines will overwhelm you!

Ishimushiro Fureai Bokujo (Dude Ranch) in Koriyama

Azuma Kofuji (Mountain) in Fukushima City

Gold Line (Scenic Sightseeing Road) in Bandai-san

Tohoku Safari Park (Zoo) in Nihonmatsu City

Alpaca Farm (Dude Ranch) in Koriyama City

Fukushima Keiba-jo (Horse Racetrack) in Fukushima City

Other Recommended Flowering Attractions

Kan-non-ji Gawa no Sakura Namiki (Cherry Blossom Trees along Kan-non-ji River) in Inawashiro

Kassen-jo no Shidare-zakura (Weeping Cherry Blossom Trees in Ancient Battlefield) in Nihonmatsu City

Kaboku Danchi (Flower Tree Sightseeing Farm) in Koriyama City

Other Recommended Attractions of Castle, Historical Site, Temple, Shrine, and Park

Kasumiga-jo / Nihonmatsu-jo (Castle) in Nihonmatsu City

Shirakawa Komine-jo (Castle) in Shirakawa City

Nanko Koen (Park/ Historical Site) in Shirakawa City

Enzo-ji (Temple) in Yanaizu Machi

Ten-nei-ji (Temple) in Aizu Wakamatsu City
※Within its site, there is a grave of a Japanese historical swordsman, Isami Kondo.

Kan-non-numa Koen and Surrounding Area in Shimogo Machi

Prince Williams Park in Motomiya City

Other Recommended Onsen Spots

Bandai Atami Onsen in Koriyama City

Mihota Onsen in Koriyama City

Takayu Onsen in Fukushima City

Dake Onsen (Includes Ski Resort) in Nihonmatsu City

Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima City

Iwaki Yumoto Onsen in Iwaki City

Other Recommended Attractions of Leisure, Sightseeing, Culture, Art, and Sport

BRITOMART (Complex Facility) in Miharu Machi (Former Miharu Herb Hana Garden)

Sekitan Kaseki-kan (Coal and Fossil Museum) in Iwaki City

Soma Nomaoi (Cavalry Festival) in Soma City

Takashiba Deko-yashiki (Folk Art Town) in Koriyama City

Tadami-gawa Funa-kudari (Boat Riding) in Aizu Yanaizu

Sake Winery Tour Everywhere in Fukushima Prefecture

Pep Kids (Indoor Play Facility for Kids) in Koriyama City
Due to its free admission, people from outside Fukushima prefecture visit this place too.

J Village (National Sports Training Center) in Naraha Machi

Other Recommended Areas

Kitakata City

Nihonmatsu City

Ishikawa Machi
Date City
Hinoemata Mura, Minami Aizu Gun

 

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