This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Fukushima Prefecture is home to seven of the "100 Famous Mountains of Japan," including Mount Bandai, and although it has the largest area of the six Tohoku prefectures, most of it is covered by untouched forests in the Ou Mountains, Echigo Mountains, and Abukuma Highlands
Due to such abundant water resources, there are many refreshing rivers and springs, and efforts are ongoing to preserve these environmental resources for future generations, such as by selecting the "30 Best Waters of Fukushima."
What is a "famous water"?
The main stream of the Abukuma River in Saigo Village
Japan has many springs, rivers, and groundwater with good quality and abundant water, which supports people's lives by providing drinking water, water for daily use, and water for agriculture
Among these, the particularly refreshing water sources are called "famous water sources."
There is no clear definition or standard for what constitutes a famous spring, but what all of these springs have in common is that they are carefully protected by the local community to ensure that they remain pure water
The Ministry of the Environment has selected it as one of the "Top 100 Famous Waters of the Heisei Era" and "Top 100 Famous Waters of the Heisei Era."
In 1985, the Environment Agency at the time selected the "100 Famous Waters" with the aim of selecting particularly excellent water environments from rivers and springs across the country and preserving them for the future
In 2008, the "100 Best Waters of the Heisei Era" was released, which included rivers, springs, irrigation water, and groundwater, and a total of 200 water sources were selected, with 12 in each of the Tohoku regions making up a total of 24 water sources
A famous water source from Fukushima Prefecture that was selected as one of the "100 Famous Waters Selected by the Ministry of the Environment"
Two springs, one in Urabandai and the other at the western foot of Mount Bandai, have been selected as famous springs of Fukushima Prefecture
Onogawa Spring: Hibara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District
The river flows into Lake Onogawa, which was created by the eruption of Mount Bandai. It is the collective name for a group of springs that have their source in the primeval beech forests of the Nishi-Azuma mountain range, and is also known as "Hyakukan-shimizu."
The sight of the abundant spring water spouting up through the white sand at the bottom of the water collection pond is mystical. The water temperature is constant at around 8.5°C, and it is soft water with a hardness of about 59.5mg/L, containing large amounts of calcium and magnesium
There is a 5.3km trekking course to the springs that starts from Grandeco Resort, where you can enjoy trekking while taking in views of Mount Bandai, the marshes, and waterfalls
INFORMATION
Facility name: Onogawa Spring Water
Location: Hinohara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture
Phone number: 0241-32-2511 (Kitashiobara Village Office, Tourism Policy Division)
Springs at the western foot of Mt. Bandai: Bandai Town, Yama District
These springs spring up from the foothills of Mt. Nekomagatake, Mt. Umayasan, and Mt. Furushiroga Mine, which are located on the western side of Mt. Bandai. Bandai Town is known as the "town of famous water" because of the large number of such pure springs and waterfalls
The representative "Takigasawa Spring Water" is a slightly acidic, soft water with a temperature of 9°C. Its mellow taste brings out umami flavor, making it ideal for cooking. It is said that the water that springs from between the huge rocks never dries up, even during droughts
INFORMATION
Facility name: Bandai West Foot Springs (Ryūgasawa Springs)
A famous water source from Fukushima Prefecture that was selected as one of the "Top 100 Water Sources of the Heisei Era" by the Environment Agency
The three locations selected are the Arakawa River, which flows through the Nakadori area where the prefectural capital, Fukushima City, is located, the mountain stream in Kitakata, Aizu, and the spring water in the Hamadori area
Arakawa: Fukushima City
The Arakawa River, part of the Abukuma River system, is a first-class river with a total length of approximately 29.7 km, originating in the Azuma Mountain Range and joining the Abukuma River in Fukushima City. In 2007, it was ranked number one in Japan for water quality by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Along the Arakawa River, there are many recreational facilities for Fukushima residents, such as Azuma General Athletic Park and Arakawa Sakurazutsumi River Park. In the summer, you can enjoy fishing when sweetfish swim upstream, and the river is also used as irrigation water for agriculture
INFORMATION
Facility name: Arakawa
Location: Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
Phone number: 024-525-3756 (Fukushima City Hall, Construction Department, River Division)
The Iide mountain range, a chain of 2,000m-class mountains, is also known as the Tohoku Alps and is a mountain range with perpetual snow. The streams that flow from the vast natural forests of Abies mariesii and beech trees in Tsuga Mine flow into Kitakata City
This ultra-soft water, with a hardness of 11.7 mg/L, is said to be very mellow and delicious, and is not only used as tap water and agricultural water for Kitakata City, but is also essential for preparing the famous Kitakata ramen and brewing local sake
INFORMATION
Facility name: Tsuga Mine Stream
Location: Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture
Phone number: 0241-22-1507 (Kitakata City Hall, Waterworks Division)
Located on the banks of Sugenosawa Reservoir, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Shinchi Town, the pond is rich in spring water and beautifully equipped with gazebos and other facilities, so there is a constant stream of people coming from outside the prefecture to draw water
It is said that the name was given to the area because Ito (Date Ukon), the grandson of Date Masamune, fell in love with the clear water and decided to settle there, and made great contributions to the development of new fields
Recently, an increasing number of water utilities across the country are producing, selling, and distributing bottled water
The main reason for this is to let people know that tap water is tasting better, but there are other reasons as well:
Promoting the benefits of managing water sources
Promoting the anniversary of the start of water supply
To use sales to protect water source forests
Raising disaster prevention awareness by distributing and selling these as disaster preparedness supplies
Bottled tap water in Fukushima Prefecture
In Fukushima Prefecture, it is produced by the following water utility companies, and this is apparently also intended to dispel the negative rumors caused by the radiation leak from the nuclear power plant during the Great East Japan Earthquake by highlighting the safety of tap water
Fukushima Water (Fukushima City): On sale, Mondre Section Gold Award winner for seven consecutive years (2015-2017)
Bold Water "Kitakata Water" (Kitakata City): On sale
Date tap water "Date no Mizu" (Date City): On sale
Fukushima Kido River Water (Futaba Regional Waterworks Corporation): On sale
"NAMIE WATER" (Namie Town): On sale now
Bold Water "Aizu Water Story" (Aizuwakamatsu City): Not for sale (for stockpiling and PR purposes)
Iwaki Sunshine Water (Iwaki City): Not for sale (for promotional purposes commemorating the 100th anniversary of the water supply)
Bottled water "Adatara no Meisui" (Nihonmatsu City): Not for sale (for promotional purposes to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the merger)
Of the Bold Water tap water introduced here, Fukushima Kidogawa Water (Futaba Regional Waterworks Corporation) is sold by the waterworks operator in the Hamadori area, where the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is located
The water purification plant has been equipped with automatic continuous monitoring equipment for radioactive materials, which currently operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to conduct water quality tests, ensuring the safety of the water
If you visit Fukushima Prefecture to see its famous waters, we highly recommend you try this water to help dispel any negative rumors
I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!
![Zao's kettle](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "[Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture] The emerald green "Okama" lake is an explosion crater! Experience the power of life and death")
![Zao's kettle](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24424765_m-150x150.jpg.webp "[Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture] The emerald green "Okama" lake is an explosion crater! Experience the power of life and death")
![Whisky Collection Koriyama](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_0751-EDIT-150x150.jpg.webp "Report from the first whisky event in Tohoku, "Whiskey Collection Koriyama"! [Fukushima Prefecture]")
![11_MG_9631](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/11_MG_9631-150x150.jpg.webp "Pilgrimage to the 33 Kannon temples remaining in Minamiaizu. The "Mikurairi 33 Kannon temples" certified as a Japan Heritage Site [Fukushima Prefecture]")
![1 round dumpling](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/31485117_m-150x150.jpg.webp "What is Fukushima City's "Disc Gyoza"? Introducing Recommended Restaurants and Its History [Fukushima Prefecture]")
