I discovered an awesome temple in Fukushima City! I’ve known that Ioji Temple existed for a long time, because one of the train stations on the Iizaka Line is named after it, but I visited it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The architecture and traditional garden in the temple grounds makeContinue reading Making Bamboo Lanterns in a Temple
Last month I visited Yunokami Onsen during the cherry blossom season! This is something I’ve wanted to do since coming to Fukushima 3 years ago. I was first inspired to visit Yunokami Onsen in spring after seeing the photo below. We visited on the station on April 24 – which just so happened to beContinue reading Yunokami Onsen in Spring
Photos from our trip last week on April 16 2019. Access Kaiseizan Park is a 12 minute (2.5 km) taxi ride from Koriyama Station. You can get to Koriyama Station from Tokyo, Sendai or Fukushima via the Tohoku Line / Tohoku Shinkansen. You can reach Koriyama Station from Iwaki City via the Ban’etsu East Line.Continue reading Kaiseizan Park Photoblog — Cherry Blossom
I finally visited the amazing Miharu Takizakura tree!! And it definitely did not disappoint. Miharu Takizakura is a 1000 year old weeping cherry blossom tree in Miharu Town, Fukushima Prefecture. Locals know it is over a millenia old because of references to the tree that they have found in ancient literature. How cool is that?!Continue reading Takizakura in full bloom!
Last week I visited Takashiba Dekoyashiki – somewhere that I have wanted to visit since first coming to Fukushima! “Takashiba Dekoyashiki” is the name given to a group of 4 residences-turned-museums-and-shops that make traditional crafts in Takashiba district of Koriyama City. Each of these 4 residences is open for the public to come and visitContinue reading History of Dekoyashiki Craft District
I visited Deko Yashiki for the first time ever yesterday. I don’t know why it has taken so long for me to go! Deko Yashiki is a collection of 4 houses (and families) who have been making local crafts for hundreds of years. You can visit their workshops, learn about folk legends and beliefs, andContinue reading Photoblog: Deko Yashiki Village Folk Crafts
Cherry Blossom-Viewing Season will soon be upon us! I’ve compiled a list of 31 of the best cherry blossom spots in Fukushima Prefecture, with information on when, where and how to visit them! It’s important to plan in advance when it comes to cherry blossom-viewing. Fukushima Prefecture’s cherry blossom season is long – it beginsContinue reading Cherry Blossom Guide 2019
Tsurugajo Castle, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, is a must-visit for anyone visiting Tohoku this spring. Located just 2.5 hours from Tokyo, Aizu-Wakamatsu is an historic city which looks absolutely amazing in cherry blossom season. Tsurugajo Castle – originally constructed in the 14th century – has passed through the hands of many local rulers. The castle was mostContinue reading Cherry Blossom at Tsurugajo Castle
This year I’m giving myself the goal of visiting 5 places in Fukushima Prefecture famous for cherry blossom which I am embarrassed to say I have not visited yet! 1) Miharu Takizakura Despite it being the most well-known cherry blossom tree in Fukushima (and one of the most famous in Japan) I still haven’t beenContinue reading 5 Sakura Spots to Visit this Year!
With less than a month to go until hanami (flower viewing) season reaches Fukushima Prefecture, I wanted to share some of my photos from Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima City. These photos are from my visit last year! The weather wasn’t the best, but the park still looked amazing. For more information on Hanamiyama Park: Here’sContinue reading Photo Blog: Hanamiyama Cherry Blossom 2018
