Majyo-no-hitomi, or The Witches’ Eye Lake, is a volcanic lake that was formed during a volcanic eruption many years ago. Unique minerals in the water cause the lake to appear different colors, giving the lake it’s official name of Goshiki-numa (Five Colored Lake), but most often it is a bright blue.
The nickname of “Witches Eye” comes from the unique appearance of the lake that is visible in late spring when the snow melts enough so that only a white ring remains around the lake to form the white of what appears to be an enormous single eye.
This lake viewpoint can be reached by an intermediate hike that begins at the Jododaira Visitors Center, stop by for a map and safety information before hiking.
| Website | https://fukushima-guide.jp/discover/jododaira/ |
|---|---|
| Contact | Jododaira Visitor Center (+81) 24-563-5554 fukushima.guide@f-kankou.jp |
| Best Season |
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| Opening Hours | Closed during the winter (closing coincides with that of the Bandai-Azuma Skyline road) |
| Parking | Jododaira Parking Area (Paid parking) |
| Related info | Best season: June-October |
| Access | Washikurayama 1, Tsuchiyu Onsen-machi, Fukushima City, Fukushima Pref. 960-2157 View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Car: 1 hour drive from the Fukushima-Nishi I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway |
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.
<p>Shirakawa Castle (Komine Castle) was heavily damaged during the Boshin War (also known as the Meiji Restoration), and was restored in the 1990s.</p><p>Komine Castle's restoration marked the first time in over 120 years that a restoration had been attempted on a triple turret (<em>yagura</em>) structure. Blueprints from the late Edo Period were used as references for the repair of this structure.</p><p>As a result of using these blueprints, it was possible to restore the castle almost exclusively using wood construction techniques. This amazing architecture, along with the extraordinary techniques used to make the stone wall around the castle, make this castle extremely special. There is also an exhibition hall on site.</p>
<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><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/0120-040.jpg" /> The park is wonderful to visit any time of the year. It has a scented rose garden, stadiums and sports fields, as well as wide meadows to stroll and relax.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/3%285%29.jpg" /> At the park, you can also find the <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/fukushima-city-minka-en-open-air-museum/124">Fukushima City Minka-en Open-Air Museum</a>.</p>
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.
<p>This sightseeing road that runs from Fukushima City's <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/takayu-onsen/1">Takayu Onsen</a> to the Tsuchiyu Pass, commanding panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/1%286%29.jpg" /></p><p>The spectacular views that stretch out at an average altitude of 1,350 meters attract visitors time and time again, and Bandai-Azuma Skyline has been selected as one of the 100 Best Roads in Japan.</p><p>In spring, tourists can enjoy flower viewing while at the same time taking in the otherworldly winter scenery of the "<a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/fukushima-prefectures-snow-corridor-bandai-azuma-skyline/14#&gid=1&pid=1">Snow Corridor</a>".</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/2140994-adumashouhuziyukinokabe.jpg" /></p><p>In summer, the Nemoto Shakunage (Rhododendron brachycarpum), a species of alpine rose, and other alpine plants display their colorful flowers and fresh, brilliant green leaves. During autumn, the drive warms as roads become enclosed by fiery seasonal leaves.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/09_MG_4925.jpg" /></p><p>There are also many hot springs in the vicinity of the Skyline where visitors can enjoy a bath and relax stiff muscles while out on a daytrip.</p><p>The roadway passes next to the crater of <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/mt-azuma-kofuji/22#&gid=1&pid=1">Mt. Azuma-Kofuji</a>. Visitors can easily park their car at the nearby guest center and enjoy a short hike up to the crater’s rim.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/5%285%29.jpg" /></p><p>The Bandai-Azuma Skyline Roadway has been selected as one of the top 100 roads in Japan, and unlike many others, this one is free to use. There are rest stops along the way for the hungry traveler; the most popular is <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/jododaira-visitor-center/201">Jododaira</a>, as it’s home to a rest house and an observatory.</p><p>Be sure to plan ahead though, from mid-November to early April the roadway is closed due to heavy winter snowfall.</p>
This peony garden is three times the size of Tokyo Dome, and has 290 varieties of peony, totalling 7,000 flowers. Key features of Sukagawa Botan-en Peony Garden include its 200 year-old peony plants, the 'Showa-no-yume' variety of peony unique to Sukagawa City, and a rare 'Toryo' Chinese peony presented by a representative from Luoyang, Sukagawa's sister-city in China. The deep purple of the Japanese peonies that grow in the garden are also very popular. Volunteer guides are ready to show visitors around the park for not extra charge. The Sukagawa Peony Garden is the only such garden in Japan to be designated as a Spot of Natural Beauty by the Japanese government. As well as peonies, the garden also boasts flowers such as roses, and Japanese irises, which are in bloom until the end of June. Peak viewing season for peonies is from late April to mid-May.
<p>The famous Okukuji Prefectural Nature Park in Ibaraki Prefecture designated Furoyama Park as a top Green Spot of Fukushima. Furoyama Park is famous for its <em>yama-tsutsuji</em> (mountain rhododendron), which come into bloom from late April through to early May. There are around 3,000 rhododendron plants which cover the park in deep shades of red. Climb halfway up the hill to gain a great view of the town.</p>
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.