As I wrote about in my blog last week, the fascinating Aizu Tajima Gion Festival 2018 was held over the weekend, finishing up yesterday. This festival has so much history and really gives visitors a chance to feel like they are participating in a local Japanese festival, as opposed to just observing it. When IContinue reading Oku-Aizu Museum & Sannojaya Tea Room
Mt. Bandai is one of the most recognisable of Fukushima’s landmarks. It towers in the background of many scenic places and is located in a super picturesque area right next to Lake Inawashiro. Mt. Bandai is situated in Bandai-Asahi National Park, and is the focus point of the gorgeous sightseeing roads Bandai-Azuma Skyline and Bandai-AzumaContinue reading Hiking Mt. Bandai
I had seen some amazing photos of the Mugenkyo Ferry (夢幻峡の渡し）passing through the beautiful emerald water of the Tadami River, and was excited to go and experience the ferry ride for myself. So I headed off to Mishima Town to meet Hoshi san, who had kindly offered to show me around. My experience of theContinue reading Crossing Mugenkyo Ravine by Ferry (Mugenkyo no Watashi)
Among the winding historical streets of Aizu Wakamatsu City lies Miura Woodturning Workshop (三浦木工所). Miura Woodturning Workshop is run by Keiichi Miura, a fourth generation artisan who has been practicing woodturning for over 40 years. The Miura family is one of the few remaining families who shape wood to be used in producing Aizu Lacquerware.Continue reading Miura’s Enchanting Workshop & Aizu Lacquerware
Introducing the Yanaizu Naked Man Festival On the evening of January 7th every year, crowds of men, dressed only in loincloths, get ready for Yanaizu’s Naked Man festival or Hadaka Mairi (Literally translates as ‘Naked Temple Visit’). They cleanse their bodies, and march through the streets of Yanaizu to Enzoji Temple, almost completely exposed toContinue reading Yanaizu Naked Man Festival: What You Need to Know
Although I have lived in Fukushima for 1.5 years now, I am constantly finding new places that I want to visit or festivals I want to go to. So I decided to write a bucket list of things to try out in Fukushima during the winter months! (This list includes a couple of places IContinue reading Ideas for Winter Trips in Fukushima
Every time I visit Ouchi-juku, I notice new, amazing things about it. I thought I’d document a few of them in this post. I love taking photographs at Ouchi-juku, so I’d like to let my photos do the talking for the most part! See more posts about Ouchi-juku here Information from Fukushima Prefecture Tourism AssociationContinue reading Photos from Ouchi-juku
Every year in late June, bright yellow Nikko Kisuge Lilies light up Oguni Marshlands. I’ve seen many photos of these beautiful flowers since coming to Fukushima, so I was determined to go and see them for myself. Oguninuma (the name of the marshland area) is in Urabandai area, and is part of the stunning nationalContinue reading A Hike to the Yellow Lilies of the Oguni Marshlands
The Tadami Line is an incredibly scenic railway that runs across Aizu. Connecting the bustling samurai city of Aizu Wakamatsu with the serene, gorgeous countryside of Oku Aizu, this route is definitely one to try out if you want a chance to see rural Japan at its best. Although I have visited this area ofContinue reading Tadami Line: 5 Sights You Shouldn’t Miss
Painting a lucky red cow known as an ‘akabeko’ in Aizu Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture.Continue reading Painting the Legendary Akabeko
