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[Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture] Just like the original scenery of Japan! Enjoy cherry blossom trees along the Kanonji River and Inawashiro gourmet food
[Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture] Just like the original scenery of Japan! Enjoy cherry blossom trees along the Kanonji River and Inawashiro gourmet food
Inawashiro Town is located almost in the center of Fukushima Prefecture, between Koriyama City and Aizuwakamatsu City, and is home to Mount Bandai, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains, and Lake Inawashiro, the fourth largest lake in Japan
Inawashiro Town is home to many leisure and tourist spots where you can enjoy nature, but did you know that it also has a one kilometer long row of cherry blossom trees?
This time, we will introduce the cherry blossom trees along Kannonji River, which are reminiscent of the original landscape of Japan
We will also introduce some recommended Inawashiro gourmet foods that you can enjoy along with cherry blossom viewing
A tunnel of cherry blossoms spreading across a peaceful rural landscape
The rows of cherry blossom trees along the Kannonji River stretch for about one kilometer and are a famous cherry blossom viewing spot that can be seen on both banks of the river
In addition to the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, which were awarded by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association in 1997, you can also see Edohigan, weeping cherry blossoms, and mountain cherry blossoms
The Kannonji River, which flows just near Kawageta Station on the JR Ban'etsu West Line, is a small river with no bank protection work, so the contrast between the green banks and the cherry blossoms in full bloom that fill both banks creates a feeling of tranquility and nostalgia
The best time to see the cherry blossoms lining the Kannonji River is usually in late April. In 2023, the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom earlier than usual, on April 12th, and in full bloom on April 19th.
Amazing! Seven-color light-up
During the cherry blossom season, a Cherry Blossom Festival is held at Oyama Tachi Shrine, located midstream of the river.Food stalls are set up along the cherry blossom-lined river, and various events are held.
are lit up at night, and Inawashiro is the only place in the prefecture where you can see seven-color LED illuminations of the cherry blossoms, which are rare in the country. You can see a fantastic view! (Information about the 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival is undecided as of March 31, 2023)
3 Recommended Inawashiro Gourmet Spots
Inawashiro is one of the prefecture's leading tourist destinations, and is home to many delicious local delicacies. So, based on my own personal opinion, I've chosen three recommended delicacies that you should try when you come to Inawashiro!
[Aizu Brand Horse Sashimi Okubo Shoten]
Aizu horse sashimi is considered one of the "Three Great Horse Sashimi in Japan," along with Kumamoto and Nagano. At "Okubo Shoten," a directly managed store run by butcher shop "Niku no Ookubo," you can taste the finest domestic horse sashimi certified as the Aizu brand. There are a variety of products using horse meat, including lunch, takeout, and souvenirs, so you can enjoy it in a variety of ways depending on how hungry you are!
Aizu horse sashimi is characterized by its lean, chewy texture and unique sweetness. Eating the light lean meat with mustard miso is a way of eating that is unique to Aizu
Closed on Wednesdays *Tuesdays and Wednesdays in winter (December to February)
GOOGLE MAP
[Soba Ohori Main Branch]
Soba Ohori Main Branch is a soba restaurant in an old Japanese house, giving you a nostalgic feeling, like you're eating at your grandmother's house
Their specialties include soba noodles made with 100% pesticide-free, home-grown and home-milled buckwheat flour, using a special method of preparation, hearty mountain vegetable tempura, and freshly pounded rice cakes
The white, glossy soba noodles are thin and chewy, and go down smoothly. We also recommend the tempura made with seasonal mountain vegetables. The aroma and bitterness of the mountain vegetables will gently spread throughout your mouth.
Access: From the Inawashiro Bandai Kogen Interchange on the Ban'etsu Expressway, take National Route 115 towards Tsuchiyu, then drive about 9 km until you reach Kijigoya village and follow the road north (look for the flags)
Business hours: 11:00-17:00 (last order 16:30) Irregular holidays
Parking: 20 spaces (large buses allowed)
GOOGLE MAP
[HERO'S DINER]
"HERO'S DINER" is a popular American-style hamburger restaurant. You can enjoy an authentic American-sized burger with a juicy patty and thick-cut homemade bacon sandwiched between a soft and fluffy bun. The restaurant's most popular item is the HERO Burger. The US Hot Dog, a huge 40cm long hot dog, is also popular. There is a wide variety of options, including a monthly special burger! Why not try a big American-sized burger?
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC on the Ban'etsu Expressway
Business hours: 10:30 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 10:00) - 18:00 (March to November) Closed on the first (second) Friday
GOOGLE MAP
Looking for souvenirs? Visit Inawashiro Roadside Station
"Inawashiro Roadside Station" is easily accessible, just off the Banetsu Expressway's Inawashiro Bandai Kogen Interchange, and is a recommended place to take a break during your trip
Inawashiro's rice "Ten no Tsubu" and "Satoyama no Tsubu"
Inawashiro soba "Inawashiro Ten no Kaori"
Inawashiro's sixth processed products
Bandai Golden Natto
Squid and carrot rice crackers
Crafts sold exclusively at Roadside Station Inawashiro
There are a variety of attractive Inawashiro souvenirs that can only be purchased here
The "Bandai Golden Natto Bread," which sells 100,000 pieces a year, is only available at the Inawashiro Roadside Station! The cream dorayaki from the local confectionery shop "Doraya" is also popular and always sells out
Business hours: 9:00 - 18:00 (open all year round) * Light meals: 9:00 - 18:00 * Restaurant: 10:30 - 16:00
Parking spaces for standard vehicles: 164 spaces for large vehicles: 16 spaces for disabled people: 2 spaces for EV quick charger: 1 space
GOOGLE MAP
Enjoy the cherry blossoms along the Kannonji River and Inawashiro gourmet food!
The Kannonji River cherry blossoms are one of the last cherry blossom viewing spots in Fukushima Prefecture to be enjoyed, where you can enjoy the combination of the sparkling river water and the cherry blossoms, and see Mount Bandai in the distance
Along with the gourmet spots introduced this time, be sure to come and see the cherry blossoms in Inawashiro
INFORMATION
Address: 83 Kawagetakamikawahara, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Inawashiro-machi, Fukushima Prefecture (100m north of Kawageta Station)
Access: 10 minutes by car from Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC
A housewife writer born and raised in Fukushima. Her favorite food is freshly harvested hard peaches from Fukushima. Her favorite things are driving and gourmet food. She would be happy if she could share the charm of Tohoku.
