[Date City, Fukushima Prefecture] A trip around the power spot Ryozan, Ryozan Town, Date City

Ryozen-cho, Date City, located in the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture, is a town famous as a power spot.
It's full of charm, including historic sacred mountains that have been deeply worshiped since ancient times, sacred mountain shrines, and traditional sacred mountain drums! This time we will also be introducing a new gourmet spot, ``Roadside Station Date no Sato Ryozen,'' which is celebrating its 5th anniversary.

History of Ryozan Town

Ryozan Town is located between Fukushima City and Soma City. Located at the northernmost tip of the Abukuma Mountain Range, the town is surrounded by mountains of 300 to 500 meters on all sides, with its highest peak being a sacred mountain at 825 meters, and is rich in nature.

It is said that Ennin (Jikaku Daishi), the head priest of Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei in Kyoto, opened the mountain in 859, and named it ``Ryozen,'' after Mt. Ryojusen in India. I am.

In 2006, it merged with Date Town, Yanagawa Town, Hobara Town, and Tsukitate Town in Date County to become Date City Ryozan Town.

sacred mountain

The mountain has a long history as a sacred mountain temple in ancient times for Shugendo, and a sacred mountain castle in the Nanbokucho period.
Founded by Jikaku Daishi in 859, it became a base for the propagation of the Tendai sect in Tohoku, and more than 3,000 halls and pagodas (places for religious service) and monks' quarters (places for living) were built in the mountain, and it is also known as ``Mt. Hiei of the North.'' I got it.

The current sacred mountain has a wonderful combination of rocky areas and autumn leaves, making it a recommended spot during the autumn leaves season.
The mountain has a well-maintained promenade and is easy to climb, making it suitable for beginners, so it can be enjoyed by families as well. Strangely shaped rocks such as ``Mishita Rock'', ``Gomadan'', and ``Higashinomonomi'' at the highest point of the sacred mountain are great viewing spots, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Azuma/Adachi Tara Mountain Range, the Abukuma Mountain Range, and the Pacific Ocean. can do.

It has been designated as New Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, National Scenic Spots, Japan's 100 Views, Prefectural Natural Parks, and Utsukushima's 100 Famous Mountains.

Sacred mountain＜Information＞

• Ryozan trailhead
• Access: Tohoku Chuo Expressway (Soma Fukushima Road) About 5 minutes from Ryozan Idate IC from the Fukushima direction, about 10 minutes from the Soma Tamano IC from the Soma direction
• Parking lot: 9-1 Ishida Hojizawa, Reizan-cho, Date City, Fukushima Prefecture, behind Reizan Children's Village, approximately 80 spaces
• Altitude: 825m　
• Difficulty: Beginner 
• Walking time: about 2 hours
• Official URL: Fukushima Prefecture Date City Official – Ryozan

Google Maps

Ryozan Shrine

Ryozan Shrine, located at the foot of the sacred mountain, was built to enshrine the deity of Akiie Kitabatake and others, and is visited by many visitors from outside the prefecture as it is believed to have the power to improve luck.

The maple trees in the shrine grounds are said to have been transplanted from Arashiyama, Kyoto, and the autumn leaves are colored in five colors: red, orange, yellow, yellow-green, and green.The leaves are so beautiful that they have been praised as the ``five-colored maple leaves.'' I'll give it to you.

The spring and autumn regular festivals are held on April 29th and early October, and at the regular festivals, dances of dance and lion dances are performed. In addition to the long-traditional martial arts, the ``Kitamata Lion Dance'' and sacred mountain drums, which are designated as intangible ethnic cultural assets by the city, are also offered, making it a tourist spot that attracts many visitors.

Ryozan Shrine＜Information＞

• Name: Ryozan Shrine
• Address: 1 Furuyadate, Oishi, Ryozan-cho, Date City
• Access: 60 minutes by bus from Fukushima Station (get off at "Ryozan Shrine")
  45 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway "Fukushima Nishi/Fukushima Iizaka IC"
• Phone number: 024-587-1326
• Official URL: Fukushima Prefecture Date City Official – Ryozan Shrine

Google Maps

Over 350 years of history: Ryozan Taiko　

Ryozan Taiko has a history of over 350 years, dating back to the Kanbun era of the Edo period. Approximately 60 groups of taiko drums have been preserved and inherited in the town, making it truly one of the best taiko towns in the country.

Reizan Taiko is characterized by its drumming, in which the short, thick paulownia drumsticks are raised high and the large drum is repeatedly struck spectacularly.
The Ryozan Taiko Festival is held every August, and drums from Taiko Preservation Associations from each region gather to perform powerful simultaneous beats.

I have also been to the Ryozan Taiko Festival, and the rhythmic sound of the drums is amazing! It was very powerful and moving. Traditional drums, which have a history of over 350 years, are carefully passed down in the region.

New spot: Roadside station Date no Sato Ryozen

The roadside station ``Date no Sato Ryozen'' is located in a peaceful mountain area along National Route 115, just after getting off the Tohoku Chuo Expressway Ryozan IC.

Date-no-Sato Ryozen is full of delicious Date foods!
You can enjoy menu items using branded chicken ``Date Chicken'' and homemade gelato made with plenty of freshly squeezed rich jersey milk (100%).

There's also fluffy, fragrant freshly baked bread and Tsukidate's famous Kotehime udon, so you'll be spoiled for choice.

What's more, you can try your hand at picking fruit, which is rare at a roadside station. Depending on the season, you can harvest strawberries, peaches, and apples, so it's perfect for making memories with your family. (Advance reservation required)

We recommend the strawberry cider at the roadside station.

We recommend the ``Strawberry Cider'' made with strawberries from the local strawberry farmer ``Matsubaen''!

View this post on Instagram

Posts shared by @ichigo._.fan

Strawberry cider is rare, isn't it? The sweet and refreshing strawberry scent melts into the cider and spreads throughout your mouth along with the bubbles of the cider.

Roadside Station Date no Sato Ryozen＜Information＞

• Name: Roadside Station Date no Sato Ryozen
• Location: 3-1 Sakuramachi, Shimooguni, Ryozan-cho, Date City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Business hours: Direct sales office 9:30-18:00
• Phone number: 024-573-4880
• Access: National Route 115, Tohoku Chuo Expressway Ryozan IC entrance
• Parking: 85 regular cars, 10 large cars, 2 Omoiyari parking spaces
• Official URL: https://michinoeki-datenosato-ryozen.jp/

Google Maps

Matsuben, a cafe where you can enjoy whole fruits

Matsubaen, which produces strawberry cider, not only sells freshly picked strawberries directly during the strawberry season, but also has a cafe where they sell ``Torokeru Fruit Frozen Cotton'' all year round.
Freshly picked strawberries are instantly frozen in a fresh state that can only be made at a strawberry orchard!

We recommend eating it with condensed milk. Combined with the sweet and sour taste of the strawberries, it will fill your mouth with happiness♪

In addition to strawberry, you can enjoy a variety of seasonal fruits such as shine muscat and peach.

Matsuben <Information>

• Name: Matsubaen
• Address: 42 Kamiochiai, Yamatoda, Ryozan-cho, Date City
• Phone number: 080-2803-5564
• <Cafe> 10:00-LO 15:30
• <Direct sales office> 10:00-17:00
• Official URL: https://matsuba-en.jp/

Google Maps

To the power spot Ryozan

With the completion of the Tohoku Chuo Expressway Ryozan IC, Ryozan now has better access to the Tohoku Expressway. We also have a wide variety of local flavors, such as brand-name Date chicken and specialty fruits.

The spots we introduced this time are all within a short distance, so they are also recommended for day trips. Why not take a trip to a sacred mountain to enjoy the majestic scenery and nature?