[Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture] Chrysanthemum dolls and Namie Yakisoba at Nihonmatsu Castle! Castle town Nihonmatsu is recommended for sightseeing in autumn!

The castle town of Nihonmatsu City is home to Mt. Adachitara, known for the ``real sky'' that appears in Kotaro Takamura's poetry collection ``Chiekosho,'' and Dake Onsen, and the Abukuma River flows through the center of the city, offering a rich natural scenery. Masu.

In ancient times, the area prospered as a castle town for the Nihonmatsu domain's Niwa family, with a wealth of 100,000 koku, and many valuable historical sites and cultural properties remain.

If you want to visit Nihonmatsu City, we recommend autumn! This time we will introduce tourist spots that are perfect for the upcoming season. You can also try the local gourmet "Namie Yakisoba" in Nihonmatsu. Please look at them all together.

History of Nihonmatsu

The origin of "Nihonmatsu" dates back to 1341, during the early Muromachi period.
It began when Oshu Tandai, Takakuni Hatakeyama, built a residence there and changed the name of the place to Nihonmatsu. It is said that this name originates from the fact that there were once two sacred pine trees in this area.

During the Edo period, Niwa Nagahide's grandson, Mitsushige, entered the castle. The castle was extensively renovated, and the castle town and legal system were established. The Niwa family, which continued for 11 generations until the Meiji Restoration, is still affectionately known as "Niwa-sama."

On Setsubun, there is a custom of throwing beans while shouting ``Fuku wa Uchi, Onisoto,'' in order to avoid shouting ``Oni wa Soto'' which becomes ``Oniwa Gai,'' meaning to drive out the feudal lord.

Learn from Nihonmatsu Johokan

When you come to Nihonmatsu, the first thing you should do is the Nihonmatsu Johokan, which is a source of Nihonmatsu history and tourist information .
It's located right in front of Kasumigajo Prefectural Park, so it's the perfect place to stop by before or after walking around Kasumigajo Park.

The first thing you see when you enter the building is the taiko dai for the lantern festival. You can see the lantern turret up close, which extends to the second floor. With the touch of a button, you can play the music for each region and learn about the differences between regions.

Nihonmatsu was once a large feudal domain with a yield of 100,000 koku, and during the Boshin War there was a fierce battle between the castles and the castle, which had a history of falling, leaving behind tragic stories such as the death of the Nihonmatsu Boys' Brigade. At the Nihonmatsu History Museum on the first floor, you can learn about the history of Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumigajo) and the Nihonmatsu Boys' Team.

Learn about Nihonmatsu Boys' Corps

In addition, on the large multi-screen video in the guidance room, you can learn about the characteristics of Nihonmatsu Castle's stone walls and other information with powerful images.

Impressive large multi-screen image

Nihonmatsu Johokan＜Information＞

  • Name: Nihonmatsu Johokan
  • Address: 3-303-5 Kakuuchi, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0243-22-6630
  • Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
  • Closed: Every Monday (if Monday falls on a holiday, the museum will open the next day), New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)　
  • Price: Free admission (only charged at Nihonmatsu History Museum: 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for high school students and younger)
  • Access: About 5 minutes from Nihonmatsu IC
  • Parking lot: 44 spaces

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Walking around Kasumigajo, the venue for chrysanthemum dolls

After learning about Nihonmatsu's history and tourist information at the Nihonmatsu Johokan, let's take a walk around the nearby Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumigajo).

Nihonmatsu Castle has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 castles.
The origin of the name ``Kasumigajo'' comes from the fact that in spring, the entire park is covered in cherry blossoms, and the entire castle appears to be shrouded in mist. Locals love it and call it Kasumigajo.

You can walk through Kasumigajo Park from the Minowa Gate, taking in the gardens of Senshintei, Niwa Shrine, the ruins of the Honmaru, Doi Bansui's poem monument, and Nihonmatsu Clan's self-extinction monument.

Minowa Gate

Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Festival, the chrysanthemum festival that colors the autumn of Nihonmatsu City

In autumn, the ``Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll'', one of Japan's three major chrysanthemum dolls, is held , and Kasumigajo Park is crowded with many tourists. In Reiwa 5, it has been decided that a chrysanthemum doll scene exhibition will be held with the theme of "Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Nihonmatsu City is known as the ``Chrysanthemum Castle Town,'' and there have been many chrysanthemum lovers since the feudal era, and chrysanthemum dolls have been displayed in the city since the early Showa period. The chrysanthemums and chrysanthemum dolls that have been raised with great care by enthusiasts are stunning! At the same time, you can also enjoy the autumn leaves in the park.

Kasumigajo Park＜Information＞

  • Name: Kasumigajo Park
  • Event: 67th Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll
  • Period: October 10th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Sunday), 2020
  • Event time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (open every day during the period)
  • Venue: Fukushima Prefectural Kasumigajo Park (National Historic Site Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins)
  • Admission fee: Adults 800 yen, People with disabilities 600 yen, Junior high school students and under free

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Nihonmatsu is at its hottest at the ``Lantern Festival''

In October, the "Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival" is held, which is the most exciting event for Nihonmatsu citizens . Seven floats called Taikodai are lit with about 300 bells and lanterns and paraded through the city.

The dates for 2020 are scheduled for October 7th (Saturday), October 8th (Sunday), and October 9th (Monday).

The highlight of the lantern festival is the evening festival on the first day.
This is the only day when all of the town is serviced by night service. Seven drum stands with bell-shaped lanterns are brought out from each town, and the Nihonmatsu Shrine bonfire is transferred to the red lanterns. The 3,000 lanterns thrill the onlookers as they bravely parade through the city while the energetic young lanterns chant and play music. On the second day, the most important event of the annual festival, the mikoshi togyo, will be held.
On the last day of the festival, during the day, the floats are dragged around each town, and at night, they are divided into 4 towns and 3 towns, and a joint parade is held.

Please check the Nihonmatsu City Tourism Federation website for traffic regulation maps and temporary parking lots

Manjushaka Festival & Portulaka Festival

The 8th Manjushage Festival & Portulaka Festival is being held at Adachigahara Furusato Village The festival is scheduled to last until early October.

Countless red, pink, orange, yellow, and white portulaca, as well as white and red mandarin flowers, are in full bloom. The flowering season is expected to be later than usual, and the approximately 2.5 million white and red mandarin flowers are expected to bloom sequentially from around September.

When you think of spider lilies, you think of bright red flowers, but here you can also see rare white spider lilies.

Adachigahara hometown village <Information>

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Enjoy the local gourmet "Namie Yakisoba" in Nihonmatsu!

Why not try Namie Yakisoba when sightseeing in Nihonmatsu?

Namie Yakisoba, which won the Gold Grand Prix at the 8th B-1 Grand Prix in Toyokawa, is characterized by thick noodles that can be mistaken for udon at first glance.

Namie Town was forced to evacuate due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear power plant accident in 2011. ``Suginoya'' had been running a restaurant in Namie Town before relocating, quickly resumed operations in Nihonmatsu City, the evacuation destination.

Suginoya's yakisoba, served on Ohori Soma yaki, is characterized by its simple ingredients of pork and bean sprouts and extra-thick noodles.
Sprinkle with shichimi garlic when you're halfway through.
The moderate spiciness and garlic flavor are perfect for fried noodles and will increase your appetite! After finishing the meal, nine horses appear on the plate. It has been said to bring good luck since ancient times as ``everything goes well'' and is only available to restaurants that have been certified by the ``Namie Yakimen Taikoku'' formed by ``Namie Yakisoba'' restaurants. It seems that it will be awarded.

In addition, there are many hearty menus and menus full of originality, making it a restaurant that you will want to visit again and again.

Suginoya [Suginoya] <Information>

  • Name: Suginoya [Suginoya]
  • Address: 2-3-1 Honmachi, Nihonmatsu City (1st floor, Civic Exchange Center)
  • Phone: 0243-24-1215
  • Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00
  • Closed: Monday, Tuesday
  • Parking lot: Civic Exchange Center parking lot

Google Maps

Autumn is attractive! Nihonmatsu sightseeing

The castle town of Nihonmatsu comes alive in autumn with the lantern festival and chrysanthemum dolls. In addition to the two major events, there are many festivals and events in each region. We also recommend going a little further and walking around Mt. Adachi Tara, where the autumn leaves are in full bloom! Please use this as a reference when visiting Nihonmatsu.

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