Fukushima Prefecture [福島]
Outline of Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture is at the south part of Tohoku Region.
The prefecture covers a wide area, and mountainous regions are located on the eastern and western sides.
Main cities such as Fukushima and Koriyama are located along the basin between the mountains that stretches from north to south.
There are Lake Inawashiro and Mount Bandai to the west of Koriyama city.
These are iconic symbols of Fukushima Prefecture's natural landscape.
The mountainous area in the west are known as Aizu.
It is a region with a unique traditional culture centered around Aizu-Wakamatsu which is a historic city.
Main industry of Fukushima Prefecture is agriculture.
Especially, it has been known as a production area of fruits.
The production volume of peach, apricot and apple is one of the largest in Japan.
Some cities and towns are also dotted along the east coast.
In 2011, when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, the massive tsunami caused damage to the nuclear power plant along the coast.
The radioactivity has been released into the surrounding area.
The radiation decontamination work is nearly complete, and evacuated residents are gradually returning to their hometowns..
It is said that the decommissioning of a nuclear power plant takes several decades or more.
Tourist spots in Fukushima Prefecture
Central and eastern area
Aizu area
Local foods in Yamagata Prefecture
Kitakata ramen
Kitakata ramen is one of the three major ramens together with Sapporo ramen and Hakata ramen.
There are about 100 ramen restaurants in small Kitakata city.
Around the 1920s, a Chinese cook served the ramen at his stall in this city.
It became popular for the people, then many cooks learned the know-how for cooking.
Recently, many tourists to Kitakata introduced it throughout Japan, then it became very famous.
The noodle is curly.
The clear soup is generally made of pork bone broth and shoyu (soy sauce).
And a few slices of barbecued pork are surely topped.
Sauce Katsudon
Katsudon is a fast food eaten all over Japan.
It is common Katsudon that Tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet) is simmered with sliced onions and egg in a sweet and savory broth, and is topped on a bowl of rice.
But, Sauce Katsudon in Aizu area is unique.
A bed of shredded cabbage is placed over the rice in the bowl.
Then, Tonkatsu coated in a special sauce based on Worcestershire saucetopped is topped on it.
The "sauce" in the name refers to that special sauce.
You can eat it at many restaurants in Aizu-Wakamatsu city.
Local specialties in Fukushima Prefecture
Aizu lacquerware
Photo by Fukushima Prefecture
Aizu lacquerware is the popular lacquerware creating in Aizu area.
It has created since the late 16th century.
Therefore, it has a longer history than famous Wajima lacquerware in Ishikawa Prefecture.
There are various techniques to create the work, and it uses various kinds of wood.
Aizu picture candles
Candles are made using wax extracted from lacquer tree nuts.
Then, beautiful and colorful floral designs are painted on their surfaces.
In the 16th century, the lord of Aizu area encouraged the production of these candles, and they subsequently became a key product of the region.
It is still used today for religious purposes such as offerings to deities and Buddhas, and at wedding ceremony.
You can purchase them at several long-established specialty shops in Aizu-Wakamatsu City.
Miharugoma
Photo by Fukushima Prefecture
Miharugoma is the woodcarving horse made in Miharu town in the suburb of Koriyama city.
This town has a legend.
When a warlord in the 8th century had hard battle against the northern country, a wooden horse appeared from somewhere.
Then he won the battle.
Since that, the people in this village had made woodcarving horses, wishing for the healthy growth of the foal.
Later, a sculptor gave his works to the children in the village, then all children had grown up healthy.
Now, Miharugoma is a charm for growth of a child and long life.
Akabeko
Photo by Fukushima Prefecture
Akabeko is a folk toy in Aizu area.
"Akabeko" means "red ox" in the Tohoku dialect.
In 807, the people in a village had carried many timbers for building new temple from the mountains.
At that time, many oxen appeared, and they helped the people to work.
The work was very hard, then most oxen had broken down.
But only a red ox had followed out the work.
So, it is said that the people made Akabeko as a mascot.
Akabeko is the papier-mache toy, and the head swings to the touch.