Majyo-no-hitomi, or The Witch's 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 its official name of Goshiki-numa (Five Colored Lake), but most often it is a bright blue.
The nickname of “Witch's 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 up Mt. Issaikyo 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 |
| 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 |
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| 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.
Experience traditional Japanese life & culture at Adachigahara Furusato Village. From exploring samurai residences to learning about the lifestyles of local farmers, there is a lot to see and do in this incredibly scenic open-air museum.
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.
Shirakawa Castle (Komine Castle) was heavily damaged during the Boshin War (also known as the Meiji Restoration), and was restored in the 1990s.Komine Castle's restoration marked the first time in over 120 years that a restoration had been attempted on a triple turret (yagura) structure. Blueprints from the late Edo Period were used as references for the repair of this structure.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.
The Bandai-Azuma Skyline is a 29-kilometer sightseeing road to the west of Fukushima City. The roadway makes for a lovely drive as it weaves its way through the Azuma Mountain Range, tying together Takayu Onsen and the Tsuchiyu Mountain Pass. It has even been nicknamed “the road that runs across the sky” as it offers such spectacular panoramic views of Fukushima City and the beautiful countryside. The road opens for the season in early April, coinciding with cherry blossom viewing season in Fukushima City. At Fukushima City's Hanamiyama, you can see the rare combination of cherry blossoms and snow in the course of a single day.
Mt. Adatara is actually made up of multiple active volcanoes that form a broad mountain. It last erupted in 1996. Poems in the book Chieko-sho by Kotaro Takamura (1883-1956) helped make the mountain famous.The summit of Mt. Adatara stands at an altitude of 1700 m, stretching about 9 kilometers in a north-to-south direction. Views of Mt. Adatara are lovely in and of themselves, but the views that visitors have of the surrounding area once they reach the summit are breathtaking. Chosen as one of Japan’s top 100 mountains, as well as one of the top 100 mountains for flowers, a view spot at an altitude of 1300 m can be accessed by gondola lift. This means that it is relatively easy to climb even for beginners.On summer evenings, a light-up event inspired by the Milky Way and the flowers of Mt. Adatara is held, gracing those scaling the mountain by a gondola lift with a spectacular view. In autumn, visitors are afforded a stunning view of autumn leaves making it a popular place for scenic momiji-gari (autumn leaf viewing).Kurogane-goya Mountain Lodge, which closed in August 2023, was a rest stop for visitors and served as lodging for longer hikes. The lodge’s public hot spring facility used naturally-sourced, cloudy hot spring water. The lodge is being torn down in 2025 and will be rebuilt anew for roughly a 2028 re-open.
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.
This arched iron bridge crossing the Abukuma River is famous as a viewing point for the fresh green of early summer and brightly colored autumn leaves. The bridge is 138.5 meters long, with a maximum height of 60 meters from the bottom of the valley, and you can enjoy the refreshing feeling of being totally enveloped in the surrounding scenery as you look down from the bridge.