Approximately 5,000 colorful hydrangeas bloom here every summer. Nicknamed by locals as 'Hydrangea Alley', this is a great place for relaxing or taking photos. Doaidate Park routinely makes lists of best places to see hydrangeas in Tohoku every year thanks to its sheer number of bushes and tranquil atmosphere.
There is also a play park for children and an old shrine within the park grounds, while the west side of the park offers excellent views over Mt. Adatara.
Parking is available for roughly 40-50 cars by the slope leading to the park entrance.
In an average year, the best time to see hydrangeas fully in bloom is between the end of June and beginning of July.
| Website | https://www.f-kankou.jp/spot/1693(Japanese) |
|---|---|
| Contact | 024-567-2265 |
| Best Season |
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| Parking | Free |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Access | 7 Doaidate, Matsukawa-machi, Fukushima-shi View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Car: 28 min from Fukushima-Nishi I.C. exit off the Tohoku Expressway By Train: 20 minutes walk from Matsukawa Station bound for Koriyama / Kuroiso on the Tohoku Main Line |
Korinji Temple, known as Hydrangea Temple, is home to around 20 kinds of hydrangeas. Many tourists visit every year to see the beautiful blue, purple and pink flowers that bloom from late-June to mid-July.
Off the beaten track, Mt. Kohata’s Okitsushima Shrine is a perfect spot for those searching for a peaceful, spiritual place to visit. The shrine’s story – Date Masamune burned down Mt. Kohata in order to dominate the area during the Tensho Era (1563-1593), but couldn’t destroy the shrine’s three-storied pagoda – makes the area even more special.The three main goddesses of Shintoism – whose names are Princess Tagori, Princess Tagitsu, Princess Ichikishima – are worshipped at this shrine. These three goddesses are thought to be the daughters of the sun goddess Amaterasu, the major deity in the Shinto religion.It is not only Shintoism which is practiced at this shrine, but also Buddhism. In particular, the Japanese Buddhist goddess known as ‘Benten sama’ is worshipped on Mt. Kohata. Despite the turmoil which engulfed faith in Buddhism which occurred during the Meiji Era, strong faith in Benten sama – the Buddhist deity of peace, good luck, wisdom, and marriage – continues to this very day.This is the destination for the Kohata Flag Festival procession, which has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, and is held annually on the first Sunday of December.
In spring, this 150-year-old weeping cherry tree looks so different from one hour to the next. Viewed during the day, it is framed against a backdrop of snow-topped Azuma mountains. During the cherry blossom viewing season, Nakajima Jizozakura is lit up at night, its reflection glittering enchantingly on the surface of surrounding rice paddies.
Between two farms in Hiraishi in the south of Fukushima City, next to a vegetable stall selling cucumbers for 100 yen, you can find the Tired Gundam. Occasionally translated as the ‘Weakling’ or ‘Loser’ or ‘Incompetent’ Gundam, he might not look like much, and he can’t walk, or fight, but he's very popular with the locals.The product of a local ironsmith over ten years ago, the Tired Gundam first stumbled to fame after the ‘Beam Rifle Theft Incident’, in which someone stole his famous weapon, and fans nationwide made replacements. Now he has an entire arsenal, a weapon rack, and security cameras to ward off thieves. When he gets rusty, he often gets a fresh coat of paint from his fans.The Tired Gundam is located in the middle of a farmland region in southern Fukushima City, making for a lovely afternoon drive up and down the winding roads surrounded by rice fields. There is parking available nearby for roughly 10-15 cars.
These windy highlands are located at the plateau summit of Mt. Aizu-Nunobiki. It’s location to the south of Lake Inawashiro provides ample breeze to power the 33 windmills that stand majestically atop the highland plateau. Nunobiki Kogen Wind Farm is one of Japan's largest wind farms. It's location at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, makes for a truly fantastic view of the surrounding scenery.From early August to early September, visitors can enjoy amazing vistas of the beautiful himawari batake (sunflower fields). The sunflowers here are planted at 3 different intervals, meaning that visitors can enjoy seeing them throughout the summer months.Sunflowers aren’t all that Koriyama Nunobiki Kaze-no-Kogen has to offer flower lovers: - from August to September - you can see cosmos blooming. Of course, visitors are always greeted with superb views of Lake Inawashiro and Mt. Bandai.There are walking courses along the plateau, so visitors can explore the area and snap some great photos. One really amazing photo spot can be found at the observatory. Depending on the timing of your visit, you might be able to purchase some local vegetables at temporary stalls. We recommend trying the region’s famous Nunobiki Plateau daikon radish.
Mogi Station is a small, unassuming train stop that transforms drastically in spring. Every year around mid-April, the bank of over 30 cherry trees south of the station bursts into full bloom, turning the area into a picturesque array of pink, white and blue. The blossoms are illuminated at night once darkness falls, drawing visitors and photographers from across the region.Only the final train of the day, arriving at 21:30 from the direction of Miharu, pulls into platform two, with the background of the blooming cherry trees. For many photographers and train enthusiasts, this is the shot they visit to get. Despite its modest size, Mogi Station has quietly earned its place as one of the most photogenic, if lesser-known, hanami spots in the region.
This weeping cherry tree is around 400 years old and is called the "daughter" of Miharu Takizakura, another famous cherry tree located in Fukushima. Countless visitors have visited from inside and outside the prefecture after hearing about the beauty of this cherry tree. Photography tip: Around 2 pm is the best time to take a picture.
The Ayu Suspension Bridge is a long-beloved symbol of Yamatsuri Town, located near Yamatsuriyama Station. From the bridge, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the Kuji River and the surrounding mountains. It is worth coming to see in any season. The riverbank around Ayu Suspension Bridge is a popular spot for anglers.