Cultural Experiences
Green Tea Experience at Suirakuen Garden
Try matcha green tea in a traditional tea house in Suirakuen Garden, located inside Nanko Park. Suirakuen Garden is also a popular place to visit for its fall foliage.
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Aizu Higashiyama Mukaitaki
Mukaitaki Ryokan, originally owned by the Aizu domain, is now entrusted to the Hirata family, who have carefully preserved its legacy for generations. They continue to honor the ryokan's history while maintaining its traditional charm.
All guest rooms at Mukaitaki are housed in a wooden structure that is registered as a National Cultural Property, offering guests a rare opportunity to stay in a building considered a national treasure. Despite its historic significance, the ryokan provides a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience authentic Japanese culture.
The ryokan’s hospitality focuses on creating a unique traditional Japanese space, offering a rare experience not found in everyday life.
The Higashiyama Onsen Candle Festival, an event featuring illuminated candles in a snowy vista, takes place here from mid-December through to the end of February. The candles are illuminated for 90 minutes every evening, making for a pleasant atmosphere.
Candles are lit 16:30-18:00 in December and January, 17:00-18:30 in February. Please note the event is only for overnight guests, so a reservation at Mukaitaki is required.
Venue Details
| Website | http://www.mukaitaki.co.jp/(Japanese) |
|---|---|
| Contact | 024-595-2121 |
| Accommodation details | Capacity: 24 rooms Room styles: 21 regular, two with onsen attached, one with special onsen room Check in / Check out: 15:00 / 10:00 Meals: Halal, vegetarian, gluten-free possible Hot springs: Sulfate hot springs |
| Related info | Tattoo-friendly |
| Access | Suginoshita-63 Tsuchiyuonsenmachi, Fukushima, 960-2157 View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Car: 30min drive from Fukushima Station
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Outdoor Activities
Bandai-Azuma Skyline Cycling Route
The Bandai-Azuma Skyline is one of the top cycling routes of Japan! The route brings cyclists through dense green forests to volcanic terrain and sweeping views of Fukushima city and the volcanic peak of Mt. Kofuji, or “Little Fuji”. In autumn this course is warmed by vibrant autumn leaves, that make for a magical ride! Fukushima has routes for cyclists of all levels! Click here for more information about Cycling Courses and Events in Fukushima! (Click here to read our blog about cycling the scenic Bandai-Azuma Skyline!)
Outdoor Activities
Ebisu Circuit
Ebisu Circuit is a multi-course motorsport facility in the hills above Nihonmatsu City. Rather than a single racetrack, it is a collection of separate courses built across a mountainside, connected by access roads and surrounded by forest. It was developed by Nobushige Kumakubo, a professional drifter who wanted a place dedicated to practice and grassroots driving. Over time, it became closely associated with drifting in particular, both domestically and internationally.The complex is divided into several courses, each with their own unique style and character. Kita (North Course) is one of the busiest areas, with cars running along a back section that brings car speeding past the spectator wall. Nishi (West Course), traditionally associated with grip driving, includes a short layout well-known for long drift trains.Higashi (East Course), usually a grip circuit, is opened for drifting during festival periods and also houses the main circuit office. The Touge (mountain pass) course winds through a narrower hilly section with tighter bends and noticeable elevation changes.Ebisu has also become a destination for overseas drivers. Many travel specifically to experience the different course layouts, enjoy the informal practice culture and chat with other drift enthusiasts. It is common to see privately owned cars ranging from lightly modified street builds to dedicated drift machines. The atmosphere during regular days is focused on driving rather than spectacle, with participants rotating through sessions and making adjustments between runs.Three times a year, the circuit hosts the Ebisu Drift Matsuri. The festival, typically held in spring, summer, and autumn, opens multiple courses for extended sessions over several days. Drivers move between tracks, often running late into the evening, and tandem drifting is a big attraction. Unlike formal competitions, the emphasis is on participation and meeting fellow drivers. For many visitors, the festival represents the most concentrated expression of Ebisu’s identity: a large group of drivers sharing the same mountain, rotating through its varied layouts, and focusing almost entirely on drifting. Learn more about the festival with our total guide.For visitors looking to experience drifting themselves, the Drift Taxi experience lets you ride as a passenger in a special drifting car while a professional driver speeds around the circuit. Booking and more information here.
Outdoor Activities
JRA Fukushima Racecourse
The only Japan Racing Association racecourse in the Tohoku region. Enjoy the excitement of the seasonal races held during Spring, Summer and Winter, as well as the traditional Tanabata Prize in July. The racecourse also has other areas for enjoying yourself, including a children's play area and athletic facilities, making it a great place to come with the family.
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