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
Yesterday I ticked one place off of my Fukushima bucket-list: the cherry blossom along the Nicchu Line in Kitakata City. It definitely did not disappoint, and I am so glad I got to go. The Nicchu Line is an old railway line that used to run between Kitakata City & Atsushio Onsen town. The railwayContinue reading Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom
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
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
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
