B-class gourmet

[Hirata Village, Fukushima Prefecture] A panoramic view of nature! Head to Jupia Land Hirata to see a carpet of moss pinks

Hirata Village is located in the southeast of Fukushima Prefecture. At Jupia Land Hirata, located at the foot of Mount Yomota, the village's symbol, 250,000 pink and red moss phlox flowers bloom all at once across an area of ​​approximately 2.3 hectares, creating a spectacle that resembles a carpet of flowers when in full bloom

This time, we will introduce the moss phlox at Jupia Land Hirata and famous cherry blossom spots in Hirata Village that can be enjoyed at the same time

Hirata Village is actually known as "the spiciest village in Japan."
What exactly is the spicy food that the village is famous for?
We'll also introduce you to some spots where you can try it.

Please be sure to watch until the end!

Panoramic view of nature at Jupia Land Hirata

At Jupia Land Hirata, approximately 250,000 moss phlox plants are planted across an area of ​​approximately 2.3 hectares, creating a flower field that looks like a pink carpet

In addition to the moss phlox, the park is also famous for its hydrangeas, with 27,000 popular varieties and approximately 825 new varieties, including Hirata's original hydrangeas, planted here

The World Hydrangea and Lily Festival is held every year from late June to mid-July, where you can enjoy almost all the varieties of hydrangeas in the world and over 30 types of fragrant lilies

 

When is the best time to see the moss phlox?

The best time to see the flowers is from late April to mid-May, when the Shibazakura Festival is held

The 2023 Shibazakura Festival is scheduled to be held from April 18th to May 14th

Jupia Land Hirata is an outdoor experience facility that makes use of the natural beauty of the foot of Mt. Yomota, where you can experience relaxation and peace firsthand.
Because it was built using the slope of the mountain, there are some steep sections with ups and downs and steps, but to ensure smooth travel within the park, 4WD electric wheelchairs have been installed. There is also a "sightseeing cart" available for use to travel around the park (200 yen per person).

It's nice to see the thoughtfulness of the park, which is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
If you climb the mountain to the top, you'll reach a height of 634 meters, the same height as Tokyo Skytree. You'll be able to see beautiful moss phlox and a spectacular view.

A city-town scarecrow competition will also be held at the same time

During the Shibazakura Festival, a Scarecrow Competition will be held at the special venue for the festival

This is the sixth time the scarecrow contest has been held, and the winners will be decided by visitor votes. Those who are voted for will be entered into a lottery to win local products, so be sure to cast your vote if you are visiting during the Shibazakura Festival

The humorous scarecrows are heartwarming

INFORMATION

  • Name: Jupia Land Hirata
  • Address: 437 Yomoda-dake, Yomoda-shinden, Hirata-mura, Ishikawa-gun
  • Parking available
  • Inquiries: 0247-55-3535
  • Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (last entrance 4pm)
  • Admission fee: 500 yen for adults and free for junior high school students and younger during the festival period
  • Closed days: Open every day during festivals
  • Access: 10 minutes by car from Hirata IC on the Abukuma Highlands Road

GOOGLE MAP

Iwakura Sakura, a 550-year-old single cherry tree

Iwakura Sakura is an ancient Edohigan cherry tree that is over 550 years old and has been designated a natural monument of Hirata Village. It is 16m tall and has a trunk circumference of 6m.
 It is said that in the past, this area was used as a place for clipping horse nails, and under the tree stands a sericulture shrine and a statue of Bato Kannon.

In the Tokiko administrative district where the Iwakura cherry blossoms are located, local residents are working to restore the tree's vigor and improve the environment, and have constructed parking lots, wooden decks, and benches

The best time to see the flowers is usually in late April, and many visitors come to see them during the flowering season

INFORMATION

  • Address: Hirata Village, Tokiko, Migo
  • Parking available
  • Inquiries: 0247-55-3115 (Hirata Village Office)
  • Access: 10 minutes by car from Hirata IC on the Abukuma Highlands Road

GOOGLE MAP

Take a break at Hirata Roadside Station

Roadside Station Hirata is the symbol of the village, located at the crossing point of National Route 49 and the Abukuma Highland Road "Hirata IC."

We have a wide selection of highland vegetables, including the village's specialty asparagus and wild yam, and Hirata Village's original sweet potato, "Hirata Silk," as well as Japanese and Western sweets

The spiciest village in Japan? The specialty is habanero

The reason Hirata Village is known as the spiciest village in Japan is because of habanero!

Habaneros began to be cultivated in 2010 as a new village specialty. At first, they were so spicy that they didn't sell at all, but they decided to "make something as spicy as possible," and when they started developing processed products, their reputation spread through word of mouth

It has now become a local specialty, attracting challengers from all over the country to try it as "the spiciest village in Japan."

Try the hellish soft serve and curry at the roadside station!

At Hirata Roadside Station, you can purchase products made with the village's new specialty, habanero peppers

If you love spicy food, we recommend trying the "Habañero Soft Serve."
You can choose from three different levels: beginner, advanced, and hellish. The hellish level has an 8.6% success rate! 454 people have finished it. (As of July 2022)

Another dish available at Soba Dokoro Takeyama is the "Nama Jigoku Curry,"
which has a completion rate of 29.1%.

The direct sales store sells the instant curry "Karain Jigoku" so why not buy it as a souvenir?

By the way, here is the description of the Hell-level Habanero Soft Serve!

I guarantee you'll find yourself screaming, "Call an ambulance!" I recommend this to anyone who wants to enjoy habanero to their heart's content. I mean, there are people who have already eaten it, so I don't think it's impossible to eat

From the Hirata Roadside Station website

As "Japan's spiciest village," we welcome challengers who love spicy food!

INFORMATION

  • Name: Hirata Roadside Station
  • Address: 160 Yokomorigo, Kamiyoda, Hirata Village, Ishikawa County, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0247-55-3501
  • Access: 5 minutes by car from Hirata IC on the Abukuma Highlands Road　
  • Holiday: January 1st every year
  • Direct sales store Weekdays: 9:30-18:00 Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 9:00-18:00
  • Soba Restaurant Takeyama 11:00 - 17:00
  • Fast food 10:00 - 17:00

GOOGLE MAP

"Jupia Land Hirata" Summary

Hirata Village is a village surrounded by nature, yet easily accessible via the Abukuma Highland Road.
Be sure to come and see the spectacular carpet of moss phlox that spreads out across the natural surroundings.
If you like spicy food, try the habanero!

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