[Fukushima Prefecture] 2024 Edition "Tohoku Autumn Leaves Driving Map" - 3 recommended driving courses and surrounding gourmet selections in Fukushima Prefecture!
table of contents
In Fukushima Prefecture, the southernmost of the six prefectures in Tohoku, autumn leaves are in full bloom in the mountains of Aizu and the highlands of Urabandai.
Among them, there are many places where the leaves are starting to change color, such as Hamadori and Nakadori, where the weather is warm, and you can enjoy driving through the autumn leaves from mid-November to late November.
Lake Numazawa, Lake Tadami, Lake Tagokura (Kanayama Town, Onuma District, Tadami Town: National Route 252)
Kaneyama in the Okuaizu region Tadami on the prefectural border with Niigata is a comfortable fall foliage driving course that runs along the gorge created by the Tadami River.
The Tadami River, which has an abundant amount of water, has five hydroelectric dams within a 50km stretch: Ueda, Honna, Taki, Tadami, and Tagokura, and you can enjoy the scenery of each dam lake colored with autumn leaves.
Swamp lake created by the caldera
This caldera lake was created by the eruption of Numazawa Volcano, and has a maximum depth of 96 meters.During the autumn leaves season, the surrounding area of about 7 kilometers is brightly colored in red and yellow.
In addition to parks and campgrounds along the lake, there are also facilities such as the Kaneyama Town Fairy Art Museum, so you can spend your time relaxing in nature while enjoying the fall foliage viewing.
To get to the shore of Lake Numazawa from National Route 252, please use Prefectural Route 237 or the town road "Fairy Road" from near Aizu-Nakagawa Station on the JR Tadami Line.
Lake Numazawa＜Information＞
- Name: Lake Numazawa
- Location: Kanayama Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture
GOOGLE MAP
Oshio Natural Carbonated Field and Takizawa Natural Carbonated Water
Kanayama Town , there are two spots where natural carbonated water springs out, which is rare in Japan, and you can drink soft, slightly carbonated water with a mellow taste.
Of these, Oshio Natural Carbonated Field is bottled and sold at nearby stores, as well as being used as hometown tax return gifts from Kaneyama Town.
Another option, `` Takizawa Natural Carbonated Water ,'' is also available for drinking, but this one is not well maintained, so if you are concerned about it, we recommend the large salt carbonated water.
Oshio natural carbonated field <Information>
- Facility name: Oshio Natural Carbonated Field
- Address: 5298 Takizawa Uenoyama, Kanayama-cho, Onuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- Phone number: 0241-42-7211 (Kanayama Town Tourism and Products Association)
- URL: Fukushima tourism information site “Fukushima Travel”
GOOGLE MAP
Takizawa natural carbonated water <Information>
- Facility name: Takizawa natural carbonated water
- Location: Takizawa, Kanayama-cho, Onuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
GOOGLE MAP
Lake Tagokura and Lake Tadami are like brothers.
The 145-meter-high Tagokura Dam in Tadami Town is one of the largest hydroelectric dams in Japan, along with the Okutadami Dam further upstream.
The dam lake, Lake Tagokura , is within Echigo-Sanzan Tadami Quasi-National Park and is known as a famous spot for autumn leaves, and was selected as one of the ``Top 100 Dam Lakes'' in 2005.
was built as reverse regulation pond adjust the amount of water released from Tagokura Dam
Because the distance is close, you can see the other dam from the top of both dams.
Tagokura Dam＜Information＞
- Facility name: Tagokura Dam
- Location: Tagokura, Kanme, Tadami-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- URL: Japan Dam Association official website
GOOGLE MAP
Tadami Dam＜Information＞
- Facility name: Tadami Dam
- Location: Ishibushi, Tadami-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- URL: Japan Dam Association official website
GOOGLE MAP
Tadami Town's B-class gourmet "Soba Yakimochi"
This is a local dish from the Aizu region where red bean paste, wild vegetables, etc. are wrapped in dough made from a combination of buckwheat flour and glutinous rice flour, steamed, and then baked.
The skin has a strong elasticity and texture and has a faint soba scent, and the filling inside includes red bean paste, butterbur sprouts, and nozawana greens.
It's made at Yamasa Shoten in Tadami Town, which is known for its 100% handmade soba noodles, and you can enjoy it at nearby restaurants such as Yasori-an, and it's also recommended as a souvenir.
Soba yakimochi＜Information＞
- Facility name: Soba restaurant Yasorian (Yamasa Shoten)
- Location: 30 Kanozu, Tadami-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- Phone number: 0241-82-3401
- Business hours: 11:00-14:00
- Closed: Winter (open every day until snow falls)
- URL: Aizuwakamatsu sightseeing navigation official website
GOOGLE MAP
Nanko Park/Shirakawa Komine Castle (Shirakawa City: National Routes 294 and 289)
Shirakawa City, known for Shirakawa Seki is home to famous autumn foliage spots such as Shirakawa Komine Castle Nanko Park
There are also many autumn foliage spots along the Abukuma River that runs through the city, and the Yukiwaribashi Bridge and Kashiohashi Bridge Nishigo Village are also popular spots.
These famous autumn foliage spots, including the Shirakawa Seki Ruins, are far apart, so when visiting them, it's a good idea to enjoy a historic drive through the city.
Japan's oldest park "Nanko Park"
Nanko Park is said to be Japan's first park , built and opened for the common people in 1801 by Sadanobu Matsudaira
It is a relaxing spot for Shirakawa citizens, where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring, fresh greenery in the summer, and autumn leaves in the fall.You can drive close to the lakeshore on the north side of the lake.
Nanko Park＜Information＞
- Facility name: Nanko Park
- Location: Minamiko, Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture
- Phone number: 0248-22-1111 (main) (For inquiries, please contact Shirakawa City Hall Tourism Division)
- URL: Shirakawa City Hall official website
Shirakawa Komine Castle Ruins (Shiroyama Park)
Komine Castle, one of Japan's top 100 castles , was the site of a fierce battle during the Boshin War, and the buildings were once destroyed, leaving only stone walls, but the castle tower and other features have since been restored.
The contrast between the white-walled castle tower and the red zelkova trees is very beautiful.
Both have parking lots, so you can enjoy viewing the autumn leaves at your leisure.
Shirakawa Komine Castle Ruins＜Information＞
- Facility name: Shirakawa Komine Castle Ruins (Shiroyama Park)
- Location: Kakuuchi, Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture
- Phone number: 0248-27-2310 (Shirakawa City Hall Cultural Properties Division Cultural Curator)
- Opening hours: Komine Castle Mie Yagura 9:00-17:00 (April-September), 9:00-16:00 (October-March)
- Opening hours: Shimizu-mon/Yanomon 8:30-17:30 (April-September), 8:30-16:30 (October-March)
- Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)
- URL: Shirakawa City Hall official website
"Shirakawa Ramen" is famous all over the country.
Featuring handmade curly noodles in a light soy sauce-flavored soup made with pork bone and chicken stock, this ramen is a nationally famous local ramen dish with over 100 shops in the city, and more in the metropolitan area.
Why not compare the flavors of each restaurant, each with its own unique twist, based on the city's original Tora Shokudo restaurant
For more information on Shirakawa Ramen, please refer to this article.
Shirakawa Ramen <Information>
Natsui River Valley (Iwaki City: Prefectural Route 41 Ono Shikura Line)
It's close to Iwaki city, and you can enjoy autumn leaves driving from early to late November.
The valley stretches for about 15 kilometers along the JR Banetsu East Line and the prefectural highway, where the autumn leaves are mainly bright red, and it is also known as a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in the spring.
There are many narrow roads in the valley, so be careful not to pass large vehicles.There are also few roadside parking lots, so be careful where you park and when getting out of your car.
the Natsui River Gorge campground parking lot, the Seto Garo entrance where you can enjoy mountain climbing, please use the Natsui River Gorge Nishiki Observatory parking lot.
Natsui River Valley <Information>
- Name: Natsui River Valley
- Location: Kamiogawa, Ogawa-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture - Kawamae grounds
- URL: Iwaki City Tourism Website
GOOGLE MAP
Iwaki City fish “Mexicali”
During the fall foliage season, a lot of seafood is landed at Onahama Port in Iwaki City, and one of the most recommended fish is `` mexicali, '' known as the ``city fish.
Mexicali, which has large, glowing blue eyes, can be caught almost all year round except during the closed fishing season, and its pale, soft white flesh can be eaten whole in fried chicken, tempura, or dried fish.
There are restaurants in Iwaki City that serve Mexicali raw in sashimi and sushi, so why not try it on your way to and from the Natsui River Valley?
Mexicali＜Information＞
summary
Fukushima Prefecture has a wide range of autumn leaves seasons due to the different climates, including the mountains and plateaus of Aizu, the inland areas of Nakadori, and the Umihama-dori.There are also different types of broad-leaved trees, resulting in different colors.
In this article, we introduced roads in these three regions where you can still enjoy autumn leaves driving.
Please visit all three and feel the difference with your eyes and skin.
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