I got to explore some very historic, beautiful areas of Iwaki this spring, including the ancient Okunitama Shrine. Okunitama Shrine Okunitama Shrine is the oldest Shrine in the whole of Iwaki City – which is seeing something, seeing as Iwaki is over 1200 km2 – and stands in an incredible historic part of Iwaki. Upon arrival,Continue reading Off the Beaten Path: Okunitama Shrine
The highlight of my month was visiting Kasumiga-jo Park when its 1700 cherry trees were in full bloom, and enjoying a matcha tea in a traditional tea room from the Edo Period. I have wanted to visited the tea room Senshintei (洗心亭) for ages, so I was glad that I finally got to go. TheContinue reading A Matcha Tea Room With a View
The 180 year old weeping cherry trees at Kassenba, a short drive out of central Nihonmatsu City, are very popular among visitors during the early to mid April hanami (flower-viewing) season. The bright canola flowers that cover the hills that surround Kassenba like a blanket make its scenery rather unique, and it’s fair to sayContinue reading Kassenba’s Weeping Cherry Trees
In the heart of Ogawa Suwa Shrine in Iwaki, Fukushima, is a beautiful weeping cherry tree, which has stood strong for over 500 years. Ogawa Suwa Shrine is one of the prefecture’s most popular cherry blossom viewing spots, and also happens to be one of the first to blossom in early April. I went toContinue reading Ogawa Suwa Shrine’s Beautiful Cherry Blossom
During the spring, Hanamiyama, and the surrounding scenery, explodes with colour and beauty. I have always associated the Japanese custom of hanami (flower viewing) with light pink cherry blossom. But at Hanamiyama, there is just so much colour! During my visit to Hanamiyama I saw Yoshino cherry blossom (someiyoshino), double cherry blossom (yaenozakura), peach blossomContinue reading Hanamiyama in Full Bloom
The Sakura Tunnel, made up of 400 cherry blossom trees that line Tomioka’s Yo no Mori district, made the area a well-known hanami (flower-viewing) spot. However, following 3.11, the fantastic cherry trees could no longer be enjoyed in the springtime. That all changed this April. This April, for the first time in 7 years, visitors haveContinue reading Hanami & Hope in Tomioka
Fukushima Prefecture is blessed with lush nature and dramatic scenery. As the third largest prefecture in Japan, the climate, seasons and landscapes differ vastly by area. However, there is one season that is spectacular no matter where you may be in Fukushima – spring! I’m really looking forward to my spending my first spring inContinue reading Fukushima’s Top Cherry Blossom Spots
Aizuwakamatsu: Schools for samurai, lucky red cows, castles and katana… What more could you ask for?!Continue reading Aizu-Wakamatsu’s Samurai History
