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Destination Spotlight

Photos from Ouchi-Juku

Every time I visit Ouchi-juku, I notice new, amazing things about it. I thought I’d document a few of them in this post. I love taking photographs at Ouchi-juku, so I’d like to let my photos do the talking for the most part!

Photos from Ouchi-Juku
Destination Spotlight

Hanamiyama in Full Bloom

During the spring, Hanamiyama, and the surrounding scenery, explodes with colour and beauty. I have always associated the Japanese custom of hanami (flower viewing) with light pink cherry blossom. But at Hanamiyama, there is just so much colour! During my visit to Hanamiyama I...

Hanamiyama in Full Bloom
Destination Spotlight

Tsurugajo Castle & the Meiji Restoration

Tsurugajo Castle is a popular spot to visit among tourists coming to Fukushima. Whether you’re discovering the samurai history of Aizu-Wakamatsu City in the castle museum, relaxing while taking a sip of freshly-prepared matcha at Rinkaku Tea Rooms, or snapping some photos from the observato...

Tsurugajo Castle & the Meiji Restoration
Destination Spotlight

To-no-hetsuri Crags: Spectacular Natural Rock Formations

Tucked away in Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu, stand the To-no-hetsuri Crags – an area of magnificent and other-worldly rock formations carved away from years of natural erosion. Shimogo is the same town where Ouchi-juku – the old post town popular with visitors to Fukushima Prefecture &nda...

To-no-hetsuri Crags: Spectacular Natural Rock Formations
Useful Information

Reaching Miharu Takizakura

KEY INFORMATION VISITING HOURS Visiting hours are usually between 6:00-18:00, but they are extended until 20:30 during the light-up period. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT? Miharu Town asks for visitors to pay 300 yen to visit the tree. This money goes towards the continued conservatio...

Reaching Miharu Takizakura
Destination Spotlight

Visiting Inawashiro in Summer

Yesterday I traveled to Inawashiro Town and nearby Kitashiobara Village to check out some of the best places to visit in the area. Here is my list of recommended sightseeing spots in – and around –  Inawashiro Town. 1. TSUNODA LACQUER ART STUDIO（漆芸工房　角田） Yesterday ...

Visiting Inawashiro in Summer
Useful Information

Fukushima's Top Cherry Blossom Spots

Fukushima Prefecture is blessed with lush nature and dramatic scenery. As the third-largest prefecture in Japan, the climate, seasons and landscapes differ vastly by area. However, there is one season that is spectacular no matter where you may be in Fukushima – spring! Blossoms start to bl...

Fukushima's Top Cherry Blossom Spots
Destination Spotlight

Nature Lovers: 3 Day Trip

DAY 1 FUKUSHIMA STATION Information on accessing Fukushima Station from Tokyo JODODAIRA HIKE From Jododaira Visitor Center, you can choose from a number of hikes – from the 1-hour course that circles the volcanic crater of Mt. Azuma-Kofuji, to longer courses that pass through be...

Nature Lovers: 3 Day Trip
Destination Spotlight

1 Day in Shirakawa

START: SHIRAKAWA STATION (JR TOHOKU MAIN LINE) 1. DARUMA PAINTING EXPERIENCE Try out painting a traditional Shirakawa Daruma, or how about making your own unique design? There are two main places in Shirakawa City where daruma are made: Watanabe Daruma and Sagawa Daruma Workshop. I have add...

1 Day in Shirakawa
Destination Spotlight

Springtime Koriyama Day Trip

For this itinerary, I would recommend renting a car at Koriyama station, or elsewhere. All of the spots included in the itinerary above are at least a 10-15 minute drive from each other, so renting a car would be the easiest way to make the most of your day out in Koriyama! 1. M...

Springtime Koriyama Day Trip
Destination Spotlight

Hanami Day Trip from Tokyo

Here is a step-by-step guide for visiting 3 hanami spots in Fukushima as a day trip from Tokyo, using only public transport! 1. HANAMIYAMA A beautiful park on a hill overlooking the Azuma mountain range, Hanamiyama Park is filled with a spectacular variety of blossoms every spring. T...

Hanami Day Trip from Tokyo
Destination Spotlight

2 Days in Iwaki

DAY 1 1. IWAKI STATION This example itinerary departs from Iwaki Station. For directions to Iwaki Station see here. I recommend traveling by rental car for this 2 day itinerary. 2. AQUAMARINE FUKUSHIMA Aquamarine Fukushima is an amazing aquarium and research centre which is in som...

2 Days in Iwaki
Destination Spotlight

Tadami Line: 5 Sights You Shouldn't Miss

The Tadami Line is an incredibly scenic railway that runs across Aizu. Connecting the bustling samurai city of Aizu-Wakamatsu with the serene, gorgeous countryside of Oku-Aizu, this route is definitely one to try out if you want a chance to see rural Japan at its best. The Tadami Line is gr...

Tadami Line: 5 Sights You Shouldn't Miss
Destination Spotlight

2 Days in Aizu-Wakamatsu

Here is an example of the kind of trip you could do in two days in Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Of course, all of the places mentioned below could be fitted into one day – but it might be a bit of a squeeze! DAY 1 1. JR KORIYAMA STATION Travel to Aizu-Wakamatsu either via the JR Ba...

2 Days in Aizu-Wakamatsu
Destination Spotlight

1 Day in Kitakata

Here is an example 1 day intinerary for a trip to Kitakata City! 1. KITAKATA STATION Start your trip at Kitakata Station. Kitakata Station can be reached from Aizuwakamatsu Station on the JR Ban-Etsu West Line heading from Niitsu (新津). It takes around 20 minutes from Aizuwakamatsu Sta...

1 Day in Kitakata

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