Fukushima Prefectural Museum

Fukushima Prefectural Museum

The Fukushima Prefectural Museum (Fukushima Museum) [福島県立博物館] is in Aizu-Wakamatsu City, about a ten-minute walk (750 m) from Tsurugajo Castle. The museum covers the history of Fukushima prefecture from the primitive age through modern times with exhibitions of historical items, relics, scale models, and replicas of objects of historical significance.

Its general exhibition is divided into six parts and explains the history of the area in chronological order. Starting with archaeological findings from the Glacial Age, the formation of the Japanese islands, and the first settlements (all covered in the Primitive Age section), the exhibits show the cultural developments and the evolving way of life through to modern times. The last exhibit, ‘Fukushima and its Nature’, details the prefecture’s ecosystems and how they have been impacted by natural disasters through the years.

The museum also has departmental exhibition rooms that focus on Fukushima’s geological features and folk culture.

Visitors can ask for an English guidebook at the entrance, which contains explanations of most items on exhibit. Information in English, Chinese, and Korean is displayed on some screen panels at the museum.

The museum also houses a tea room, the Prefectural Museum Tea Room ‘Tsukinai’, that serves lunch and a variety of drinks.

To the right of the main entrance is a recreational room for children. The room has a tatami area, children’s books, wooden toys, and decorations in traditional Aizu momen (cotton) textiles, which give it a unique, warm feel. Throughout the year, several special events and activities for children are hosted in this space.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://general-museum.fcs.ed.jp/
Contact

Fukushima Prefectural Museum
(+81) 242-28-6000

Best SeasonAll Year
Opening Hours

9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entrance at 4:30 PM)

Closed every Monday (if a National Holiday falls on a Monday, the museum remains open on that day and closed the next day).
Closed the day following a National Holiday (except for weekends).
Closed during the New Year Holidays (December 28 to January 4th)
The museum may be closed on additional days for maintenance.

ParkingAvailable
Related infoGeneral Admission/University Students: 280 yen.

Groups of 20 visitors or more: 220 yen per person (reservation required three days in advance).

High school, middle school or elementary school students: Free

Visitors with a physical or mental disability certificate, or health welfare certificate: Free

VIsitors with a Type 1 or Level 1 Certificate and one caregiver: Free

Visitors with a Fukushima Prefecture certificate of free admission to cultural facilities for foreign students: Free
Access Details
Access1-25 Jotomachi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Pref. 965-0807, Japan
View directions
Getting there

From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station [会津若松駅](JR Ban-etsu West Line), the museum can be reached using the sightseeing loop bus. The nearest stop on the "Haikara-san" and "Akabe" loop bus routes is San-no-Maru (三ノ丸).

From Koriyama Sta. [郡山駅] (JR/Shinkansen), go to the Koriyamaeki-mae bus stop and take an Iwaki-Koriyama-Aizu-Wakamatsu [いわき～郡山・会津若松] bus bound for Tsurugajo - Government Office Building Complex [鶴ヶ城・合同庁舎前]. The museum is located about 650 meters from the bus stop.

By Car: 15 min drive from the Aizuwakamatsu I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway

By Taxi: 10 minutes from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station [会津若松駅].

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Kagamizakura

Kagamizakura is a huge Sargent's cherry located in the Numanotaira area, Yamato-machi, Kitakata City. Numanotaira is also known as the home of one million Fukujusō (vibrant yellow flowers). Rich with nature, the area contains many wildflowers and wild mountain vegetables. The single Sargent’s cherry is located on the edge of a pond called “Kagami Ike” (lit. Mirror Pond). The age of the tree is unknown but it is estimated to be over 100 years old. The trunk consists of dozens of roots growing from the foot of the tree. The tree's branches spread out widely, making it look as if the tree is leaning over toward the pond. When the flowers of the cherry tree blossom, the scenery with the reflection on the surface of the pond is exceptionally beautiful. The dark pink flowers typical of Sargent’s cherry are simply gorgeous.

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Yamatogawa Sake Brewery

Close to Kitakata station is Yamatogawa Brewery. This brewery was built in 1790 in the Edo Era, and has been producing sake ever since. The famous sake cultivated at this brewery is made using the clear, mountain water from Mt Iide.Another important component of Yamatogawa Brewery’s sake is the use of high-quality, carefully cultivated rice. This rice is grown in Yamatogawa Brewery’s own rice fields, and from the fields of selected local farming families. Next door to the brewery is the Northern Museum – where old earthen storehouses built during the Edo Era have been opened up to the public. Here you can learn about how the sake-making process has changed since the Edo period. Tours and sake tasting available for free.
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Shibuki-gori (Naturally-forming ice sculptures)

If you head to Tenjinhama beach on Lake Inawashiro in the depths of winter, through the trees at its south towards the mouth of the Nagase river, you will see the "shibuki-gori" natural ice sculptures. Lake water is picked up by strong winds from the west, and meets the trees on the coastline. There it creates a very unusual phenomenon with a beauty that rivals the "juhyo" (ice-covered trees) seen at the tops of mountains. Local peoples and visitors alike never tire of these sights. You can also see other shapes formed by ice here, such as ice drifts and the prominent "Omiwatari" cracked, rising ice on the beach and lake surface. Please note that Shibuki-gori are natural ice sculptures, and therefore their appearance and size change by the day. Please check before visiting.

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