[Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture] What kind of place is Shirakawa? Trivia series to help you understand the region, including its history, sightseeing spots, and specialties

When someone asks, "What kind of place is ○○○?" The trivia box series that helps you understand the region is packed with useful trivia in such situations. We will carefully select and introduce trivia that characterizes the region from all angles such as history and culture.

This time, I would like to open up a treasure chest of trivia related to Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. What kind of area is Shirakawa City?

[The origins of Shirakawa City] A key point in transportation and logistics ruled by a famous man

Shirakawa no Seki approach
Shirakawa no Seki approach

Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture is famous as the gateway to Michinoku. This is due to the Taika Reforms, a political reform that began in 645, when Shirakawa County, Mutsu Province, was established, and Shirakawa Seki was born. Since then, Shirakawa has seen off many travelers, and even after its role as a checkpoint ended, it became a place admired by literary figures as a ``poem pillow expressing the love of travel.''

Various famous warlords have been involved in the governance of Shirakawa, which was a key location for logistics and territorial control over the course of history. The Yuki family, which existed for about 400 years after the Kamakura period, is a descendant of Tomomitsu Yuki, who was active under Minamoto no Yoritomo. However, after Toyotomi Hideyoshi executed Ou, the land of Shirakawa became Aizu territory. In 1627, at the beginning of the Edo period, Niwa Nagashige, who became the first lord of Shirakawa, created the foundations for the urban area that connects to modern Shirakawa, and since then, the lords have changed over seven families and 21 generations. The most famous among them Sadanobu Matsudaira who led the Kansei Reforms . He is said to be a great ruler who provided food aid to save his people during the Great Tenmei Famine and ensured that no one died from starvation in the Shirakawa domain.

After that, in 1868, Komine Castle became a battlefield during the Battle of Shirakawaguchi during the Boshin War, and its main buildings were lost and the castle fell to the ground, being engulfed by the waves of modernization.

[Highlights of Shirakawa sightseeing] Many historical sites that give you a sense of historical romance

Shirakawa often appears on the center stage of history. The following three tourist spots are recommended for those who want to feel the grand romance of history.

  • Shirakawa Komine Castle
  • Nanko Park
  • Shirakawa Seki Ruins

We will introduce each of them along with their highlights.

Shirakawa Komine Castle

Shirakawa Komine Castle Ruins
Shirakawa Komine Castle Ruins

Komine Castle, completed by the first feudal lord, Nagashige Niwa, was destroyed by fire during the Battle of Shirakawaguchi during the Boshin War, but part of it was restored in the Heisei era. Currently being restored are the triple turret (used for storing weapons and food and for viewing) and the front gate (the main gate of the main enclosure). In addition, the stone walls and drum turret remain, reminiscent of those days.

Shirakawa Komine Castle＜Information＞

Google Map

Nanko Park

Nanko Park
Nanko Park

This park is said to have been created by Sadanobu Matsudaira, the 12th lord of the Shirakawa domain. At that time, gardens were usually built in castles or mansions, but Nanko Park was created as a place for everyone to enjoy, regardless of their social status, and it remains a place of relaxation for citizens today. The walking course around the lake is about 2km long. With the majestic mountains in the background, you can enjoy the scenery of flowers and trees that change with the seasons. The grounds also include Nanko Shrine, which is dedicated to Sadanobu Matsudaira, and a tea room, so it's a good idea to take a rest while looking around.

Suirakuen a Japanese garden within the park , sometimes holds light-up events during the autumn leaves season. The combination of magical light and autumn leaves is a sight to behold. Please check this out if you are interested.

Nanko Park＜Information＞

Google Map

Shirakawa Seki Ruins

Shirakawa Seki Ruins
Shirakawa Seki Ruins

It is a place where the remains of Shirakawa Seki, one of the three old Sekis in Oshu, remain. It played a role in regulating people's traffic and logistics, but even after it lost its function, it has appeared in numerous literary works as a place to remember the journey to Michinoku. Matsuo Basho also expressed his joy in embarking on a journey by saying, ``I can't decide on my journey until I reach the Shirakawa barrier.'' On the premises, there is also the Koseki Monument, in which Sadanobu Matsudaira, the 12th lord of the Shirakawa domain, ``This place is definitely the site of Shirakawa Seki'' , as well as Shirakawa Shrine.

Shirakawa Seki Ruins＜Information＞

Google Map

[Shirakawa Gourmet] You can't help but want to drink it up! The ultimate bowl of ``Shirakawa Ramen''

Shirakawa ramen
Shirakawa ramen

Shirakawa City is the birthplace of the nationally famous "Shirakawa Ramen" and is a ramen battleground with countless ramen shops. Shirakawa Ramen is characterized by its ``handmade curly noodles'' and ``light soy sauce-based soup . Furthermore, many restaurants use char siu with red edges, and when this char siu is on top, it gives the ramen even more of a "Shirakawa Ramen" feel.

The fluttery noodles are coated with a salty soy sauce soup that flows smoothly down your throat. Most soups are made from animal-based stock such as chicken bones or pork bones, and have an elegant yet deep flavor. One of the characteristics of Shirakawa Ramen is that many of them have a limited menu compared to regular ramen restaurants. The combination of ramen, chashu noodles, and wonton noodles is popular, and I feel that the restaurant's simple menu structure reflects their firm confidence in the taste.

The ultimate drink that will make you feel ``I'm so glad I came to Shirakawa'' from the bottom of your stomach is waiting for you. When you come to Shirakawa City, be sure to have a drink...or two, or three, to your heart's content.

[Shirakawa Hot Springs] Kitsuneuchi Onsen, a beauty hot spring where you can relax your mind and body

Kitsuneuchi Onsen, located within Higashifudai Park , is a simple alkaline hot spring that is known as a beauty hot spring that will leave your skin smooth.

Day trip bathing is possible, but lodging facilities and a campsite are also available, making it popular for training camps. In addition to the open-air bath where you can relax and feel the nature, there is a large public bath, sauna, and cold bath. The open atmosphere makes it easy to visit. Why not stop by here to relieve the fatigue from your travels?

Kitsuneuchi Onsen＜Information＞

  • Name: Kitsuneuchi Onsen
  • Address: 47 Higashikamako Kitsunei, Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture 961-0302
  • Phone number: 024-834-1126
  • Official URL: http://kitsune.life.coocan.jp/

Google Map

[Shirakawa's specialty] The auspicious pattern brings good fortune! Popular Shirakawa Daruma

Speaking of Shirakawa City's folk crafts, Shirakawa Daruma dolls are famous. It was started around the late Edo period. It is said that the 12th lord of the Shirakawa domain, Sadanobu Matsudaira, had his personal illustrator, Fumiaki Tani, design Daruma dolls in order to grow the industry.

Shirakawa Daruma is characterized by its gentle face and auspicious design. The face is decorated with lucky charms such as a crane for the eyebrows, a turtle for the beard, pine or bamboo for the beard, and plum or pine for the sideburns. The Shirakawa Daruma Market is held on February 11th every year in search of such auspicious daruma dolls , and is crowded with many people.

In addition to the standard red daruma doll, in recent years a wide variety of modern-style daruma dolls have been made. If you're looking for ``Shirakawa-esque souvenirs

Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture is full of trivia!

This time, we introduced some trivia about Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture.

As the gateway to Michinoku, Shirakawa has grown by monitoring people's traffic and logistics. The historical sites and culture that remain today give us a glimpse of what it was like back then. When you visit Shirakawa, please spend a special time while enjoying the feeling of being transported back in time.

P.S. Shirakawa ramen is really delicious. Eating a “cup while traveling” in the local atmosphere is even more special, so don’t forget it!

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