Matsugaoka Park is one of the oldest public parks in Iwaki, with origins going back to 1907. It was first developed around a large reservoir that doubled as a fire prevention water source. Rather than being designed as a purely ornamental space, the park grew gradually with plantings of cherry, plum, and azalea trees. That starting point still shapes the layout today, with the central pond acting as a focal point.
Within the park grounds stands a statue of Andō Nobumasa, a former lord of the Taira domain, reflecting the area’s connection to the old castle town.
The park is best known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Around 200 Somei Yoshino cherry trees typically flower early compared to other spots in Iwaki, making it one of the first places locals associate with the start of hanami season. The azaleas - around 340 bushes, some originally transplanted from a former samurai residence in Tokyo - add a second wave of color slightly later. During peak bloom, the area is popular with groups and families, with food stalls set up around the park.
Covering roughly 37,000 square meters, Matsugaoka functions as a neighborhood park with everyday amenities: benches, a small playground, walking paths, and a modest pond.
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| Parking | Free parking |
| Access | Yakuojidai-3 Taira, Iwaki, Fukushima 970-8026 View directions |
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| Getting there | By Car: 10mins from Iwaki-chuo I.C. By Train: Iwaki Station then 15min walk |
Tenzan Bunko is a quaint old-fashioned house stood in beautiful Kawauchi Village, which has been opened up as a museum. This house was presented by the village to the famous Japanese poet Kusano Shinpei. Kusano found inspiration to create many of his works at Tenzan Bunko, and this house now serves as the venue for the annual Tenzan Poetry Festival, which gives local people and poets a place to meet and network.
Wonder Farm, which covers the same area as 3.5 football pitches, includes a local products shop, restaurant, BBQ site, and tomato-picking experience!Mori no Kitchen (the restaurant inside Wonder Farm) is stylish, comfortable, and serves great food. The delicious pizzas and tomato curries are particularly popular!
Selected by Iwaki City as a Natural Monument, the great weeping cherry tree is over 500 years old. The flowers bloom slightly earlier than those of Yoshino cherry trees, and are lit up by traditional Japanese lanterns in the evenings of cherry blossom season. Stretching even further down than the roots, the weeping branches of the tree give it an extremely beautiful appearance.Illuminations run throughout cherry blossom season; please be aware the shrine can get crowded in the evenings.
Madeikan is an excellent stopping point when heading east to the Soma region thanks to its clean, modern design and array of services. Like many roadside stations, it is outfitted with two restaurants in a food court style where dishes are bought using nearby ticket machines. There is a good-sized market selling local produce, as well as a souvenir shop selling goods and crafts.The term 'madei' is a local term that depicts the slow and thoughtful way of life in Iitate Village. As such, the roadside station is intended as a place where people can unwind and take their time.When you enter the main hall of Madeikan, you're greeted by a stunning display of hanging flowers in the rafters - growing these flowers is the main industry of the village and a source of pride. The display changes season to season, meaning you're likely to see a different arrangement every time you visit.The service station is popular in summer time, when nearby sunflower fields are in full bloom, then again in winter time for its Christmas illuminations, which take place in the park behind the main building. Lights are usually turned on around 4:30pm, when it begins to get dark.
Natsuigawa Valley continues 15 km along JR Ban-etsu East Line. In autumn, the train passes the valley at a slow speed so that passengers can enjoy the awesome views from its windows. The beautiful view of the waterfalls and clear streams meandering through rocks is definitely worth seeing.
Listed as a prefectural natural monument, the striking sight of the red torii gate at the foot of Shirahata Gingko Tree brings photographers and sightseers from up and down the eastern coast of Tohoku.It's also known as the 'upside-down gingko', owing to a legend that warlord Date Masamune planted a gingko whip upside down in the ground during an attack on Shinchi in the late 1500s. The best time to see the vibrant yellow leaves is usually the last week of November or first week of December.Although there is no parking lot specifically, there is space for cars to park on the green within sight of the tree.
Stretching over more than 80 hectares, Nijuisseiki-no-Mori Park (二十一世紀の森公園) is a true haven for recreation; complete with a tennis court, a baseball stadium, a skateboard park, and a family sports garden, as well as a variety of flower fields, trees and shrubs.21st Century Forest Park is also a popular cherry blossom spot: it has both early-blooming Kawazu-sakura (which mostly bloom mid-February to mid-March) as well as Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees (which typically bloom sometime between early to mid-April).During winter each year illumination events are held in the park, and, during autumn, the bright colored leaves attract plenty of visitors. During the summer, sunflowers and rapeseed flowers bloom, so the park truly offers ways to enjoy nature all year round.
Nakakamado is a very uniquely-shaped maple tree. This incredible tree – designated as a Natural Monument – looks like an open umbrella, and has 3 m of roots that protrude out of the ground. If visiting during autumn-leaf season, it’s best to plan your trip for mid to late-November. That being said, Nakakamado can be enjoyed through each of the four seasons – visitors can appreciate the fresh green leaves that cover it in spring, and the very unusual shape of the branches after the autumn leaves fall.