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Destination Spotlight

Mt. Iwatsuno’s Gankakuji: Amazing Buddhist Mountain Temple

I discovered Mt. Iwatsuno by accident. I did a farmstay in Motomiya City, and when I asked my farmstay host about her favourite place in Motomiya, she told me about Mt. Iwatsuno. My farmstay host described Mt. Iwatsuno as a mountainside scattered with huge rocks that had either been e...

Mt. Iwatsuno’s Gankakuji: Amazing Buddhist Mountain Temple
Destination Spotlight

Making Bamboo Lanterns in a Temple

I discovered an awesome temple in Fukushima City! I’ve known that Ioji Temple existed for a long time, so I was really happy to finally get to visit. The architecture and traditional garden in the temple grounds make a visit to Ioji Temple worthwhile in itself, but what makes Ioji re...

Making Bamboo Lanterns in a Temple
Destination Spotlight

Iizaka Onsen & Kenka Matsuri Autumn Festival

WHERE IS IIZAKA ONSEN & WHAT IS A ‘KENKA MATSURI’? Iizaka Onsen is a quaint town built around the sources of the Iizaka Onsen hot springs. Iizaka Onsen hot spring water has been loved for over a millennium, and is well-known in Japan. Residents of Tokyo often pop up on the Shin...

Iizaka Onsen & Kenka Matsuri Autumn Festival
Destination Spotlight

Making Awamanju in Yanaizu

I got to try my hand at making awamanju (a local delicacy from Yanaizu Town, Aizu) and really enjoyed the experience! This activity is suitable for people of all ages, and staff can even instruct you in English! But first things first… WHAT IS A MANJU? Manju are a type...

Making Awamanju in Yanaizu
Destination Spotlight

Trying Out Ramie Weaving in Showa Village

I visited Showa Village, in the rural Oku-Aizu region, in autumn. One of the places I headed to was Michi-no-Eki Karamushi Ori-no-Sato (Roadside Station) – pictured below – where I was able to try traditional ramie weaving! From shirts to bags, decorations to mats, Showa V...

Trying Out Ramie Weaving in Showa Village
Destination Spotlight

Sukagawa City: Fireworks, Tatami, Fire Festivals & Sci-fi Heroes

It struck me recently that when people think about travelling in Fukushima Prefecture, Sukagawa doesn’t tend to be the first place that comes to mind. But the city has some really interesting places to visit and incredible festivals to experience. What’s more, it’s really easy t...

Sukagawa City: Fireworks, Tatami, Fire Festivals & Sci-fi Heroes
Destination Spotlight

Oku-Aizu Museum & Sannojaya Tea Room

I recommending a visit to the Oku-Aizu Museum to anybody traveling around Aizu-Tajima area, especially to those who might have visited the Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival. It takes 15 minutes to reach Oku-Aizu Museum from Aizu-Tajima Station if travelling by car, and 30 minutes if using public transpor...

Oku-Aizu Museum & Sannojaya Tea Room
Destination Spotlight

Crossing Mugenkyo Ravine by Ferry (Mugenkyo no Watashi)

I had seen some amazing photos of the Mugenkyo Ferry (夢幻峡の渡し）passing through the beautiful emerald water of the Tadami River, and was excited to go and experience the ferry ride for myself. So I headed off to Mishima Town to meet Hoshi san, who had kindly offered to show me around. MY E...

Crossing Mugenkyo Ravine by Ferry (Mugenkyo no Watashi)
Destination Spotlight

Shiramizu Amidado Temple in Iwaki

Shiramizu Amidado Temple is a beautiful, historic Buddhist temple in a serene and peaceful garden. For those planning a trip to Iwaki or Northern Ibaraki, it is a great place to add to your itinerary! WHAT IS AN AMIDADO? 'Amidado' is the name given to a temple dedicated to the B...

Shiramizu Amidado Temple in Iwaki
Destination Spotlight

Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival

Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival is held annually on the first Saturday, Sunday, and following Monday in October. The sight of the festival floats, stretching up 11 metres at their tallest, shining bright in the evening light makes Nihonmatsu famous as the home to one of the top three lantern festival...

Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival
Destination Spotlight

Salvador Dali Art Museum in Stunning Japanese National Park

When I’ve spoken to friends from around the world who have visited Fukushima about their favorite places in the prefecture, this museum’s name has been brought up time and time again. So what is so special about this museum? SALVADOR DALI GALORE The founder of Morohashi Muse...

Salvador Dali Art Museum in Stunning Japanese National Park
Destination Spotlight

Going to See Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival

WHY IS THERE A GION FESTIVAL IN AIZU-TAJIMA? The most famous Gion Festival takes place every year in Gion, Kyoto. Hundreds of years ago, elite families were moved to various areas around the country. One of these areas was Aizu-Tajima, in Minamia Aizu, Fukushima. The families that moved from K...

Going to See Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival
Destination Spotlight

Tomato Heaven in Wonder Farm, Iwaki

Peaches are the most famous produce of Fukushima, but blessed with a climate slap bang in the middle of Japan, Fukushima produces countless types of delicious fruit and veggies. At Wonder Farm, a ‘new age farm’, visitors can learn about farming and also eat lots of delicious, local...

Tomato Heaven in Wonder Farm, Iwaki
Destination Spotlight

Stumbling upon Traditional Japan in Nanokamachi-dori

Dotted around Nanokamachi-dori Street (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) stand a number of extremely old buildings. Coming to this area of the city feels like stepping back in time, especially at quieter times of day. Many of the warehouses and factories that stand on Nanokamachi-dori are still used to this d...

Stumbling upon Traditional Japan in Nanokamachi-dori
Destination Spotlight

Enjoying Mt. Adatara in Autumn

Mt. Adatara is one of Fukushima Prefecture’s most spectacular places to go and see the bright colours of the autumn leaves, in a custom that is called 'momiji-gari' in Japanese. I went to Mt. Adatara in Nihonmatsu to try and do some momiji-gari of my own! I was a little worried abou...

Enjoying Mt. Adatara in Autumn

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