A foothold for the promotion of farming in Fukushima Prefecture - the size of 12 Tokyo Domes!
Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre is a new foothold for the promotion of agricultural in Fukushima Prefecture. It serves as a hub for the spread of technological development and safe agricultural practices, as well as being an important facility for agricultural education.
The Centre has strengthened a system of experimentation and research in order to provide technical support to local farmers, and is spreading awareness of the importance of agriculture and of making use of open facilities (such as the Centre's Exchange Building and farming exhibitions) among local consumers and children. The facilities include the Management & Research Building, the Experiment Building, the Exhibition Greenhouse, and the Exchange Building, which is constructed from lumber grown locally in Fukushima Prefecture. From the observation deck, you can take in an expansive view of the entire facility.
| Website | https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/37200a/(Japanese) |
|---|---|
| Contact | Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre (+81) 24-958-1700 nougyou.jouhou@pref.fukushima.jp |
| Best Season | All Year |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM throughout the year, except for the year-end and New Year holidays. |
| Parking | 84 cars |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Related info | Languages available: Japanese only Non-Japanese Pamphlets: Available (Korean) Visitor limit: Up to about 100 Facility guided tour: Available upon request |
| Access | 116 Shimonakamichi, Takakura, Hiwada-Machi, Koriyama City, Fukushima Pref. View directions |
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| Getting there | By Car: 5 min from Motomiya I.C. exit off the Tohoku Expressway. Head east after getting off the Tohoku Expressway. Turn right at the T intersection. By Taxi: 20 min from Koriyama Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line. By Train: 25 min walk from Gohyakugawa Station on the JR Tohoku Line. |
<p>On an early November evening, visiting Autumn Sports Park is like stepping onto a movie set – you’re surrounded by towering, golden Ginkgo trees, lit up with bright, colorful lights. It is quite a sight to behold.</p>
The Kura Café Sen no Hana is located on the grounds on Kunitaya Miso Factory in a remodeled kura (storehouse). Try the local flavors of Fukushima cuisine with their lovely lunch items featuring locally Nihonmatsu-produced miso and soy sauce. There are also many other menu items to appreciate, such as amazake, Mongolian-style tea, and coffee. The inside of the shop is also calming and decorated with local pressed flowers. Open from 11am to 6pm (with a break from 2 to 3pm), the Kura Café Sen no Hana is sure to give your taste buds a treat. Their fair prices and delicious cuisine make them popular with locals and visitors alike. The amazake, a nonalcoholic drink made from koji, or fermentation starter, is popular with guests. As for food, the zaku zaku soup is a traditional soup of chunky cubed vegetables which is eaten on special occasions like festivals and ceremonies, it is a famous Nihonmatsu specialty. But if you’re wanting to go for dinner, make sure you’re there before last order at 5:30pm (4:30pm on Sundays). Next door to the Kura Cafe Sen no Hana, guests can also visit the Kunitaya Miso Factory. The red-wood lattice of the exterior is especially attractive. In addition to the tours, the Factory also sells miso, soy sauce, and koji which is used to make Fukushima’s famous sagohachi pickles. All the products for sale are made at the Kunitaya Miso Factory and use pure water from Mt. Adatara and locally grown ingredients. It’s a great way to get the fresh flavors of Fukushima Prefecture. There are also seasonal products available, so be sure to have a look!
In 1801, Matsudaira Sadanobu, the twelfth Lord of Shirakawa, constructed a recreational area which was to be opened to anybody - regardless of status or family background. This recreational area turned into Nanko Park, which is considered to be the Japan's oldest public park. There are Yoshino cherry blossoms (about 800 trees), azaleas, pine trees, and maple trees at the edge of lake. You can enjoy seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green leaves in early summer, autumn colors, and winter scenery with the beautiful contrast of the Nasu Mountains. The park contains Nanko Shrine, where Sadanobu is enshrined as a deity. Next to Nanko Shrine stands the beautiful Japanese gardens Suirakuen. At Suirakuen, visitors can try traditional Japanese tea served in a tea room, which boasts a spectacular view of the gardens. There are a number of shops, cafés, and restaurants along the edge of Lake Nanko. One of the local specialities to look out for is nanko dango, which are sticky rice balls on a skewer, served with different toppings.
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.
Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art, located at the foot of Mt. Shinobu on the north side of Fukushima City, houses over 2,000 pieces of art, including paintings, block prints, carvings, craft works, and more. Some highlights of the museum's collection include paintings by Shoji Sekine and woodblock prints by Kiyoshi Saito, both of whom were born in Fukushima Prefecture, as well as a collection of impressionist art, and 20th century paintings by artists such as Ben Shahn and Andrew Whyeth.
Traditional structures from northern Fukushima built between the Mid-Edo to Meiji era (1700 – 1912) – including restaurants, private houses, storehouses, and even a theater – have been relocated to Fukushima City Minka-en Open-Air Museum. At Minka-en these buildings are restored and displayed to the public, along with a range of artefacts and tools used in daily life in years gone by. Also, a number of special events, such as sword-smithing demonstrations, are held every year to celebrate and promote traditional folk crafts and skills.
<p style="text-align:justify">This is a museum dedicated to Eiji Tsuburaya the “Father of Tokusatsu,” or, the “Father of Japanese special effects.” There are exhibits relating to many of the monsters, “Kaijyu,” that are featured in many of Tsuburaya’s films including a Godzilla suit and Mothera egg!</p><p style="text-align:justify">Eiji Tsuburaya is from Sukagawa City so you will also find statues around town of various Kaijyu and Ultraman characters from the Ultra-series, a series that was primarily created by Tsuburaya.</p><p style="text-align:justify">©円谷プロ</p>
Licca Castle houses a production studio and museum both dedicated to Licca dolls (Japanese fashion dolls). In this building designed in the image of a European castle, you can find out everything there is to know about the five generations of Licca dolls.