Fukushima Prefecture [福島]
Tourist spots in Fukushima Prefecture
Central and eastern area
Fukushima city
Fukushima city (福島) is the prefectural capital and is located at northernmost part of Fukushima Prefecture.
The city is located in a narrow basin surrounded by mountains.
From the 15th century to 1873, there was Fukushima Castle in the current center of the city.
Fukushima had been a castle city.
But, there are almost no ruins left that remind us of that castle.
The area around Fukushima city is famous for its variety of fruits, which are grown thanks to the climate typical of a basin.
From summer through early winter, fruits such as cherries, peaches, pears, grapes, and apples are harvested.
There are spots around the city where you can enjoy a view of the basin.
To the west of the city lies Mount Azuma-Kofuji, a unique volcano resembling a miniature Mount Fuji, and hot spring resorts are scattered throughout the surrounding area.
Various tourist spots in central and eastern area
Aizu area
Half of Fukushima Prefecture is known as the Aizu region.
There is Aizu-Wakamatsu city in the central basin, and Lake Inawashiro and Mount Bandai, the symbol of the prefecture, are near the city.
Most of the area is deep in the mountains and it becomes a region with heavy snowfall in winter.
Aizu-Wakamatsu city
Aizu-Wakamatsu (会津若松) is the central city of Aizu area which occupies the west half of Fukushima Prefecture.
It is located about 45 km west of Koriyama city.
It is in the south part of Aizu Basin.
There is Lake Inawashiro just to the east.
It is situated on a plateau, and Aizu Basin where Aizu-Wakamatsu city is located lies 300 meters lower in elevation.
Aizu area is hot and humid in summer and has much snow in winter.
Since the construction of Tsurugajo castle in 1384, this city has developed as the center of Aizu area.
In 1868, Japan made a start as a modern state under the new Meiji government.
But Aizu Domain was one of the resistance which had hoped to continue the previous feudal system.
That year, a fierce war broke out between the Aizu Domain and the Meiji government, and the Aizu Domain was defeated.
During that war, the Aizu Domain formed a unit called Byakkotai consisting of samurai sons aged 15 to 17.
But they met a tragic end.
Aizu-Wakamatsu is a town with such a history, and there are still many sites related to it.
In Aizu-Wakamatsu, there are some traditional crafts.
Especially, Aizu lacquerware (Aizu-Shikki, or Aizu-nuri) and Aizu painted candle (Aizu-Erousoku) have over 400 years of history.
Both are the excellent crafts having good appearance.
Various tourist spots in Aizu area
Local foods in Fukushima 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.