Introduction
During the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, a typhoon in 2019 caused great damage again. However, Fukushima has been overcoming many difficulties and is revived. In 1868 it was also artificially hit by the new government after the Edo Shogunate to show it.
Now radioactive pollution is almost being removed, coastline railways are reopening, and advanced industries are emerging. Phoenix Fukushima !
Aizu region in Fukushima prefecture is a wide area with a complex fusion of history, religion, culture and nature in the countryside. Especially there is also a theory that Buddhist culture was introduced at the same time as Nara, connecting to the idea of resurrection. This is the reason why the tour of 33 Kannon, which is similar to Shikoku region ‘O-henrosan’, has become possible in Aizu. On the other hand, this tour was also a mechanism to link money with the entertainment of the common people and allowed local money to be dropped.
Detail
1st day (Nature day)
09:30 arrival at Koriyama station* by Tohoku-Shinkansen(JR High speed railway) and pick up a car
*)If you use public transportation, change a train to Ban-etsu West line and get off at Inawashiro station to take a bus for Goshiki-Numa.
**)In April ‘one huge cherry tree which stands alone’ is blooming here and there in the countryside of Koriyama. You can expect next coming travel note !
11:00 Urabandai Goshiki-Numa(Five colors* ponds) walk** (stay time: 1.5h)
*)’Red Pond’ in literary among Goshiki-Numa is not real red.
**)return to Goshiki-Numa entrance by bus to pick up the parked car there. Check the detail in the post note.
***)The itinerary can be changed to the following if it is more fine on 2nd day.
[Alternative Itinerary]
1st day: Sazaedo > Tou no Hetsuri > Ouchijuku
2nd day: Urabandai Goshiki-Numa walk > Shoujiji Temple > Kitakata
3rd day: the same
13:30 deep Nakatsugawa Valley (stay time: 1h) facing south with bright autumn leaves passing through 13:00 viewpoint of Onogawa Lake*
*)Bandai-Azuma Lake Line(road) runs along the ridge with panoramic view. Concentrate your driving !
14:45 too quiet and scared Nakanose Pond* (stay time: 1h) back to Goshiki-Numa area
*)Not to lost sign of the Renge Pond or Nakanose Pond entrance(left side) due to the autumn colors. Bear bell is indispensable if you are not enough bigger than a bear.
16:45 stop by Sazaedo* at foot of Mt.Iimori (stay time: 30min) passing through viewpoint of Inawashiro Lake**
*)It means not only ‘Turban shell Temple’ in English but also the shape of inside structure with the tour of 33 Kannon.
**)The dusk landscape of the lake is similar to the Dead Sea in Israel and Jordan. The viewpoint is just south of the pass of Mt. Bandai.
18:00 arrival at hotel
2nd day (Culture day)
08:30 departure
09:00 Tou no hetsuri(cliff of towers) is a temple created by nature, like lined up Buddha statues
10:30 An ancient post town that remains as it is, Ouchijuku like a theme park welcomed by healthy old women good at business ! (stay time : 2h)
14:00 stop by Shoujyouji Temple with National treasure buddha statue*(stay time: 1h) passing through Aizu-Wakamatsu city(historical street Nanukamachi).
*)Prior application required for viewing a statue
15:30 Kitakata historical warehouses* used for house as status symbol rather than for storage (stay time : 2h)
*)Let’s visit the yearning sake brewery here and there.
18:00 arrival at hotel
3rd day (Religion day)
08:45 departure
09:00 Western Pure Land*, namely paradise after death in the direction where the sun sets, is where the Agano River flows out west from the Aizu Basin.
*)Shingu-Kumano Shrine, Kamiunai-Yakushi Temple(prior reservation), Eryuji Temple were impressive.
11:00 departure
11:30 at Yanaizu Fresh Soba worth waiting in line for eat (Buckwheat is harvested in early autumn and enjoy scent of the first product of the season !)
13:00 There are various places to take a scenic view on the Tadami Line, but this is a must. Local train passing on Tadami River First Bridge (check time table of train passage)
14:00 Crafts made in the snowy winter at Mishima Town. A basket woven from mountain grape skin is a luxury item.
15:00 Torioi-Kannon Temple where asking for immediate death without suffering when you are dying. (Don’t miss the famous sculptures.)
16:00 taking a picture of Steam Locomotive connected to Niigata once per a day (at suitable crossing point)
18:00 arraival at Koriyama station to take a Tohoku-Shinkansen
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Gallery (click and get ideas !)
