Nature & Scenery
Fujita River Fureai-Zakura Cherry Blossom
Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees bloom along both sides of the Fujita River for three kilometers, centering around Horinouchi Bridge near Kikuta Station.
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Tired Gundam
Between two farms in Hiraishi in the south of Fukushima City, next to a vegetable stall selling cucumbers for 100 yen, you can find the Tired Gundam. Occasionally translated as the ‘Weakling’ or ‘Loser’ or ‘Incompetent’ Gundam, he might not look like much, and he can’t walk, or fight, but he's very popular with the locals.
The product of a local ironsmith over ten years ago, the Tired Gundam first stumbled to fame after the ‘Beam Rifle Theft Incident’, in which someone stole his famous weapon, and fans nationwide made replacements. Now he has an entire arsenal, a weapon rack, and security cameras to ward off thieves. When he gets rusty, he often gets a fresh coat of paint from his fans.
The Tired Gundam is located in the middle of a farmland region in southern Fukushima City, making for a lovely afternoon drive up and down the winding roads surrounded by rice fields. There is parking available nearby for roughly 10-15 cars.
Venue Details
| Parking | Free |
|---|---|
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Access | 〒960-1103 Fukushima, Hiraishi, Nakainaba−１９ View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | 14 minute drive from Fukushima Station 25 minute bus from Fukushima Station to Ja Hirata; 20 minute walk from bus stop |
Nearby
Gourmet & Shopping
Daruma Land
Newly opened on July 8th, 2021, this is a place where visitors can learn about Daruma, the symbol of Shirakawa city! Much of the structure of the main building is the structure of a restored old Japanese home, so the structure is beautiful and minimalistic. Inside, an elegantly restored tatami room showcases a work shop where you can watch artists expertly hand paint daruma dolls. There is also a display that explains the process of making a daruma doll, and a showcase room where you can take a look at a collection of unique daruma that are designed by various artists. There is also a daruma shrine and a warehouse where you can purchase daruma, paint your own, or try out the huge daruma gacha gacha machine for a surprise daruma!
Nature & Scenery
Jupia Land Hirata
A massive forest park of 167,000 square kilometers, featuring hiking courses, camping sites and BBQ locations that can be enjoyed as a day out or as an overnight trip. It is known for its 150,000 Shiba-zakura plants, and a Shiba-zakura Festival is held every year during their blooming season.
History & Culture
Adachigahara Furusato Village
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.
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History & Culture
Kyu Horikiri-tei
Kyu Horikiri-tei is a property steeped in history. Built in 1775, the building has been preserved since the Edo Period thanks to wealthy farmers and merchants. The property contains a large kura (storehouse), called Jukken Kura, as well as a traditional Japanese manor house.There is a public footbath located onsite. Use of the public footbath - which gets its water from the nearby onsen hot spring source - is accessible for wheelchair users. Japanese-speaking volunteer guides, knowledgeable about the history of Kyu Horikiri-tei and the rest of Iizaka Onsen, are available upon request.
History & Culture
Takayashiki Inari Shrine
Located just east of Koriyama City, Takyashiki Inari Shrine is one of Fukushima's most striking shrine complexes. Roughly one hundred red torii gates line rows of stairs leading to the main shrine building, which features both a grey marble torii in the rear and a small koi pond. A family of chickens roost in a nearby hutch and roam free around the grounds during the day. The shrine is distinctive as an inari shrine thanks to its myriad fox statues, each of which represents a messenger of the kami Inari, said to be the watchful protector over rice farmers.The shrine grounds are free to enter and offer pleasant views over the surrounding countryside.
History & Culture
Takashiba Dekoyashiki (Takashiba Craft Village)
A traditional craftsmen's village bestowing an air of the olde-worlde. The papier-mâché crafts of the town, made lovingly by hand for generations, will bring a smile to your face. Takashiba Dekoyashiki is an historical craftsmen's village, and was at one time under the protection of the Miharu feudal domain. Dating back 300 years to the Edo Period, this community is said to have been born when a traveller from Kyoto taught the people how to craft papier-mâché dolls using a special paint called 'nikawa'. Take a walk through the nikawa-scented streets of Takashiba Dekoyashiki and step into the Japan of old. Visitors can try their hand at painting various traditional crafts, including the Miharu-koma horse wooden doll.
History & Culture
Nakano Fudoson Temple
Nakano Fudoson is a Zen Buddhist temple built around a waterfall. Nakano Fudoson Temple is dedicated to the Buddhist deity Acala (Fudo in Japanese), one of the Buddhist ‘Kings of Knowledge’. Three forms of this deity can be praised at different areas within this temple. Those hoping to ward off evil & bad luck can worship the deity at the main temple. Those looking to protect their eyesight in the coming year can pray at the Kitoden. Those wanting to worship the Fudo deity even more intimately can do so at the Okunoin cave complex, which contains 36 Buddhist statues.