Sakuratoge Pass

Sakuratoge Pass

Sakuratoge Pass was created in 2001 when 2,001 cherry trees were planted on the site of the former Sakuratoge Farm to celebrate the birth of Aiko, Princess Toshi of Japan. Sakura owners gather from throughout Japan to diligently care for the trees directly.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://www.urabandai-inf.com/en/?page_id=24982
Contact

Urabandai Tourism Association

(+81) 241-32-2349

Best Season
  • Spring
ParkingAvailable
Entrance FeeFree
Related infoCherry blossom viewing period: Late April to early May
Access Details
AccessSakuratoge Oshio, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Pref. 966-0402
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 40 min from the Inawashiro-Bandaikogen I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway.

By Bus: Approx. 26 min. from the Onogawako Iriguchi Bus Stop by Aizu Bus (get off at the Fukushi Center-mae '福祉センター前' bus stop).


Approx. 31 min. from Shindo Bus Stop in Kitakata City by Aizu Bus (get off at La Vie Spa Urabandai Bus Stop 'ラビスパ裏磐梯').

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
Hot Springs

Ashinomaki Onsen

This hot spring resort town is well-known for its beautiful vallies, and the high quality of the abundant hot water that gushes from the town's natural hot springs.Ashinomaki Onsen is a convenient place to stay overnight for those visiting sightseeing spots such as Ouchi-juku, To-no-hetsuri, and Aizu-Wakamatsu City, as the town is located in between these key places.After enjoying a full day of sightseeing in Aizu, visitors can relax and lose track of time while bathing in a hot spring bath at a resort hotel or quaint ryokan.
The World Glassware Hall
Museums & Galleries

Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum

Most people probably don’t know who Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928) is by name but just look at a 1,000-yen note and you’ll know his face. A renowned bacteriologist, Noguchi made great advances in the research of a vaccine for yellow fever. He’s also credited with the discovery of the agent which causes syphilis.This memorial museum was established to honor the Nobel-nominated bacteriologist, and to introduce his life achievements. The house where Noguchi was born stands within the museum grounds. Visitors to the house can see the fireplace where he fell as a child, leading to him seriously burning his left hand. The alcove post of the house has carved into it the words of resolution Noguchi made before he went to Tokyo.The exhibition room contains many resources that introduce Noguchi's life and accomplishments, including his favorite articles, letters, and photographs. In Noguchi's laboratory, which was recreated for the memorial museum, visitors can interact with a robot designed in the image of Noguchi. The robot answers questions from visitors and gives them encouraging messages.Though the house retains its Meiji Period charm, the hall and facilities were renovated in April 2015, during which time the experience-based corner was added. Here, guests can learn about bacteriology through videos and interactive games.Aizu-Ichiban Café, a café which renovated from the clinic where Hideo Noguchi received treatment for the burns he suffered to his left hand, is located nearby. Once named Kaihiyo Clinic, this is where he spent much of his youth and acquired his motivation to study and ambition to help others. There are also a number of his belongings on display, making it an interesting place to visit after a trip to the museum.
The World Glassware Hall
Nature & Scenery

Inawashiro Herb Garden

The breeze from the nearby Lake Inawashiro, seasonal flowers, and art displays of the Inawashiro Herb Garden await your visit!The outdoor garden area is around 100,000 square meters and is filled with various herbs, flowers, and plants that bloom at different times on the year, creating a unique visitor experience that changes with the seasons. The park has around 500 varieties or herbs, flowers, and plants including lavender, mint, chamomile, nanohana blossoms, poppies, sunflowers, cosmos, and kochia! There is an indoor greenhouse area, so, even on rainy days, visitors have plenty of greenery and flowers to see! In addition to the herbs, flowers, and plants you will also find seasonal decorations and original art displays that are created and updated for guests to enjoy.The outdoor garden area of the Inawashiro Herb Garden also features 5 m-tall wooden statues carved by a Canadian artist, Glen Greenside. The 12 statues, one for each zodiac sign, were carved over the course of twelve years as part of a now-discontinued annual chainsaw festival that took place at the garden.Inside, at the shop, visitors can find products and snacks that are made from various herbs and flowers.
The World Glassware Hall
History & Culture

Ouchi-juku

Take a journey to the past in Fukushima Prefecture’s Ouchi-juku area. This isolated village boasts thatched-roof houses and natural streets making you feel at one with the people who lived here hundreds of years ago.Nestled in the southwestern mountains of Fukushima, Ouchi-juku is a great spot to visit thanks to its unique charm and history. This village was established under the post station system of the Edo period, and played a vital role as a rest stop for travelers.In 1981, the well-preserved streets of Ouchi-juku led to it being designated as an Important Preservation District for a Group of Traditional Buildings. It isn’t difficult to see why—the village looks as it did during its heyday. And with no telephone or electric wires above ground, the view from the top of the hill overlooking the village is marvelous.It is a picturesque village where you can lose yourself to the flow of time. The traveler’s road that used to run through this village was called the Shimotsuke Kaido Route, or the Aizu Nishi Kaido Route.Ouchi-juku not only connected Aizu to Nikko, it also connected Aizu-Wakamatsu to Imaichi, a post town on the Nikko Kaido Route in Tochigi Prefecture. This road was frequented by many travelers as well as by the processions of feudal lords who had to travel to and from Edo periodically.Travelers of the Edo Period rested at the inns of Ouchi-juku to relieve their fatigue. Nowadays, festivals and events help draw in new visitors. The annual Snow Festival in February turns Ouchi-juku into a pretty candlelit scene.Visit in July to see a procession of dancers dressed in traditional Edo Period costumes, and you might even get to wear a happi (festival attire jacket) and join the locals in their celebrations!And when you’re feeling hungry be sure to try some of the local specialties, which include negi soba (fresh buckwheat noodles eaten using a green onion), stick-roasted char fish, and more.Please be aware that some restaurants are closed on Wednesdays, so lunch availability may be reduced.
Discover Aizu Area

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Nakatsugawa Valley
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Nakatsugawa Valley

Nakatsugawa Valley is famous for its beautiful fall foliage. The Nakatsugawa River is a clear stream flowing down from Bandai Kogen (Bandai Highland) to Lake Akimoto. In autumn, the leaves of the many trees, such as maples, alders, and wild cherry trees, turn brilliant and bold colors. The valley can be reached via the lakeside cycling road or by following the trail from the Nakatsugawa Valley Rest House Lake Line Parking Area. Take a relaxing stroll along the ravine while breathing in the mountain air full of healthy negative ions.Many people park on the road closest to the bridge, but for most people it's easier to park at the Rest House and walk the short trail (less than 5 minutes) down to the bridge. There is also a shop and a canteen-style restaurant at the Rest House.
Bandaisan Gold Line
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Bandaisan Gold Line

The Bandaisan Gold Line road connects Bandai Kogen, a highland rich with lakes diverse in shapes and size, and various alpine plants, and the Aizu area, which has an immensely rich and fascinating history. This submontane sightseeing road offers diverse views of Mt. Bandai (known in Japanese as 'Bandai-san') and can lead visitors to either the mountain's rugged caldera or to the picturesque Lake Inawashiro. Visitors can discover new hidden gems every time they explore the Gold Line by car, making it a very popular spot to return to among tourists and locals. The area surrounding the road is known as a foliage-viewing spot with hairpin curves that carve through the woodlands. On the walking trail that leads to Baya-ike, a "phantom" waterfall, visitors can take in the beauty of the landscape as they hike. The most highly recommended walking course extends from Happodai to the Oguninuma wetlands, where in late June, visitors are greeted by ban array of beautiful, broad dwarf day-lilies.

Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms
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Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms

The Nicchusen cherry blossoms in Kitakata City follow a three-kilometer section of the former Nicchu Line railway. Once running between Kitakata and Atsushio Onsen, part of the line has been converted into a walking and cycling path. Each spring, rows of cherry trees along the path draw visitors to see them in bloom, usually around Golden Week in late April or early May.The length of the path allows people to enjoy the blossoms at their own pace. Even when some areas are busy, it is easy to find quieter spots for photos or a break. Visitors often walk the full route, stopping at different points to take in the changing scenery.Along the way, there are several features of interest. An old steam locomotive, once used on the Nicchu Line, remains on display at the midpoint and has become a popular photo spot. The path also runs past houses, rice fields, and farmland, giving a glimpse of the everyday landscape of Kitakata.Different types of cherry trees can be seen, from weeping varieties to those with pale or darker blossoms. With open areas to sit and rest, many people bring food or drinks to enjoy a picnic under the trees, making the Nicchusen cherry blossom path a relaxed way to experience spring in Fukushima.
Sannokura Plateau Sunflower Field
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Sannokura Plateau Sunflower Field

In summer, the 5.4 hectares of land within the Sannokura Ski Resort grounds become painted yellow with 1.5 million sunflowers. The sunflower field consists of 3 main areas, which can be enjoyed from early August to early September. Also, visitors to Sannokura Plateau between March and June can enjoy impressive views of fields of bright, yellow canola flowers. What's more, no matter the season, the panoramic views overlooking the Aizu basin from an elevation of 650 m make a visit to Sannokura Plateau very worthwhile.

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