Tohoku, Japan ~ Fukushima Prefecture & Things To Do

From SiennyLovesDrawing 👩🏻 earlier blogging about the 4 sessions of Japan 🇯🇵 National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Tohoku Online Seminar Secretariat attended with aims to promoting & endorsing Japan 🇯🇵 Tourism in Tohoku region, also to providing the latest information from local municipalities, Tourism Federation & Malaysian presenters who are familiar with the mentioned areas 👍🏻 Tohoku region in Japan 🇯🇵

• Akita Perfecture 🌐 https://siennylovesdrawing.wordpress.com/2021/10/26/tohoku-japan-akita-prefecture-things-to-do/
• Miyagi Perfecture 🌐https://siennylovesdrawing.wordpress.com/2021/11/23/tohoku-japan-miyagi-prefecture-things-to-do/
• Iwate Perfecture 🌐https://siennylovesdrawing.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/tohoku-japan-iwate-prefecture-things-to-do/
• Aomori Perfecture 🌐 https://siennylovesdrawing.wordpress.com/2022/02/19/tohoku-japan-aomori-prefecture-things-to-do/

Again, she really enjoyed this 5th session @ 26 Jan & would like to share some of the important information she has learnt about Fukushima Prefecture 福島県, the 3rd largest perfecture in Japan

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Similarly, this online seminar kick started with the updates in Japan 🇯🇵 by Ms Farah. Japan international border remains suspended. self quarantine period for cross border travellers has shortened to 10 days. More updated Japan travel details via 🌐 https://www.japan.travel/en/practical-coronavirus-information/ & 🌐 https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page22e_000925.html

Ms Farah has also shared about some typical Japanese-style breakfast ie. Washoku, a traditional Japanese cuisine which being recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of its diverse & fresh ingredients, exceptionally well-balanced & healthy to convey the beauty of nature & changing seasons. The common composition of Washoku including rice (Carbohydrate, either plain steamed white, brown/ genmai or mixed rice – seasoned with soy sauce/ dashi/ seasonal ingredients) + 1 soup (Hydration, miso soup – made from fermented soybean paste & a dashi broth with chopped green onion, wakame seaweed & tofu) + 3 dishes (Protein – grilled fish/ rolled eggs, minerals, vitamin & fibre – “Kobaci”, assorted vegetables prepared in different ways) . Ms Farah also honorable mentioned the Natto & TKG – Tamago-kake Gohan. As a typical love to eat foodie, she wants to taste the Kitakata Ramen as recommended by Ms Farah. It served in a refreshing soy sauce soup, consisting of thick noodles with slices of pork, bamboo shoots & spring onions

Sharing from Ms Abe 🙋🏻‍♀️ from Fukushima Tourism Department about 3 major regions of Fukushima ie. Aizu, Nakadori & Hamadori. It’s 90mins train journey from Tokyo. She has shared some famous destinations to visit by each season in Fukushima. The highly acclaimed Fukushima Peach is in Summer season, must enjoy the refreshing tasty Peach Parfait. Also Ms Abe has recommended some unique experiences ie. cycling around to appreciating the beautiful scenery of autumn leaves, winter sports to enjoy at Alts Snow Park & Resort & Higashiyama Onsen, drift taxi, ramen tasting, Samurai performance, Akabeko painting & etc.

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Next, sharing from Ms Tan from JNTO about 6D5N Southern Tohoku Tour suggestion by flying in/ out through Tokyo in autumn season by car/ bus

1. Fly in 🛬, free & easy in Tokyo. Must taste the Tsukishima Monjayaki pancakes 🥞
2. To Lake Inawashiro – Akabeko (Its legend story & lucky 🍀 charm) / Aizu candle 🕯️ making experience – Tadami River Bridge viewpoint – Hotel 🏨: Aizu Ashinomaki Onzen ♨️ to experience Demon Slayer scene alike ryokan
3. To Kitakata City for Kitakata Ramen 🍜, brewery tour & sake🍶 tasting – Uesugi Hakushakutei – Hotel 🏨: Ginzan Onsen to experience spirited away scene alike onsen street & former official royal 👑 family accommodation
4. To Naruko Gorge – Matsushima islands 🗾 – Ichiban-cho to experience local gourmet grab & go – Hotel stay at Sendai city to experience the Sendai Pageant of Starlight
5. Shopping 🛍️ trip at Sendai-Izumi premium outlets – Zao Fox Village – Adachigahara Furusatomura – Hotel 🏨 stay at Koriyama city to get in touch with the rural life of Japan
6. Kawagoe city street strolling for time travel to the past & last mins shopping 🛍️ before flying out 🛫 to Tokyo/ back home

More Japan travel planning via 🌐 https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/itineraries/index.html & 🌐 https://www.japan.travel/en/my/beauty-of-hokkaido-tohoku/

Lastly, live sharing by a Malaysian student, Ms Admirah about her favourite shine muscat grape, powdery snow in winter ❄️ Ohh ya…She reminded all visitors must bring a good camera to capture the beautiful scenery etc. when travelling to Japan

Things To Do @ Fukushima Prefecture

SiennyLovesDrawing loves train ride, so definitely she will enjoy a scenic railway ride on the Oku-Aizu Railway (Tadami Line) which offering fantastic views of the striking natural scenery 🚞✨, especially during autumn & winter seasons

Aizu region with historical sites eg. Tsuruga Castle & Nakadori, with mountainous natural landscapes 🏔️, orchards & hot springs ♨️, both have basin areas that remain warm in winter & mountainous areas with cool summers & snowy winters

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Mugenkyo-no-Watashi River Crossing on the Tadami River via Japanese boat trip around 15mins per way & run between Hayato Onsen pier & the Mifuke area. This was named after the truly wondrous scenery created by the river mist in the mornings & evenings of summer

Tsuruga Castle 鶴ヶ城 🏯 was known for its strong defense, enduring for an entire month under the enemy’s attack during the 1868 war. It’s said to be the only castle in Japan that still has the same red-tiled roof from the time before it was demolished. At top floor, it offers a view of Mt. Bandai & Iimori Hill, also the townscape of Aizu. Ms Abe has recommended this castle as must visit during spring & autumn season

SiennyLovesDrawing 👩🏻 also read about this unique Buddhist temple built in 1796 named Sazaedo Temple 螺旋堂 ⛩️ (Aizu Sazae-do, officially named Entsusansou-do). It’s still standing strong now after about 220 years, this 3-story temple solely made of wood, looks like a spiral staircase shaped with its ingenious double-helix slope (It allows visitors to ascend & descend the temple structure without meeting those moving in the opposite direction) that makes it in National Important Cultural Property listing in 1995 & also was showcased in Michelin Green Guide in 2018. Visitors will observe a discontinued practice by local Japanese from the plastered family placards of visitors who completed pilgrimages to the temple & gave donations on the roof & walls of this temple. She would definitely visiting it when she is at Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima. More info via 🌐 http://sazaedo.jp/

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Hanamiyama Park 🏞️ sets on the slopes of the hills to offers a plethora of cherry trees with many different hues of pink. Must enjoy the walking trails & exploring the recommended picture-taking spots during the sakura season, middle of April in Fukushima

Miharu Takizakura 三春滝桜 is ranked among the Japan’s “3 greatest cherry trees 🌸💮” ~ The Takizakura literally means “waterfall cherry tree” is 1 of the most popular single cherry trees in Japan. The wonderfully shaped weeping cherry tree in the hills of Miharu Town is said to be over 1000 years old

Bandai-Azuma Skyline (Nakadori) is 1 of selected Japan’s top 100 roads, a scenic driving 🚗 route stretches 28.7km to meandering through the Azuma mountain range, between Takayu Onsen & Tsuchiyu Toge Pass. The highlight of the drive is the Fudosawa Bridge 🌉 spanning over the Tsubakuro Valley, the view from the bridge is spectacular as if you’re floating in the sky

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Tatsusawa Fudotaki Recreation Forest 🌳🌳 in the Tatsusawa Hot Spring village, a great place for an outdoor adventure in this rural setting ie. hiking, waterfalls, visit temples ⛩️, skiing ⛷️🎿, picnic, camping etc.

The Nagatoko is Shingu Kumano Shrine’s worship hall which is designated as a Nationally Important Cultural Asset. Built in 1055 as the main structure during the Heian period to the Kamakura period, its thatched roof is supported by 44 massive pillars, each one 45 cm in diameter. This comprises a single large, open stage with no walls, and is said to have been used for ascetic training by priests, as well as kagura dance festivals

Ouchi-juku大内宿 is a small village which is located in Aizu Wakamatsu, the west of Fukushima & famous for its beautiful snow ❄️🌨️❄️ scenery of the Japanese traditional houses village covered by snow in winter

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Lake Inawashiro 猪苗代湖 is Japan’s 4th largest lake, highly transparent, also called “Tenkyoko” in reference to its “mirror-like lake that reflects the heaven. Visitors can enjoy lake bathing, fishing, canoeing etc. Ms Abe has recommended it as 1 of the destination to enjoy winter sports

A long-established sake 🍶 brewery named Toyokuni Brewery 豊国酒造, which started its sake brewery business in the Edo period (200 years ago) made from regional rice 🍚🌾 that local farmers grow in Fukushima & its sake has won a variety of awards 🏆🏅🎖️

Website 🌐 : https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/tohoku/fukushima/ & https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal-english/

Ohh ya…For travel convenience, you may check out Tocoo! ~ The Japan’s 🇯🇵Leading Rental Car Reservation Site for your car rental 🚗🚗 booking service with hundreds of their outlets throughout Japan of various car rental brands during your trips via 🌐 https://www2.tocoo.jp/en/?asp_id=1679&utm_source=1679&utm_medium=affiliate

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