[Fukushima Prefecture] What is the legend of Princess Hagi? Legends that remain in Bandai Atami, a popular hot spring area

Bandai Atami Town in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. Bandai Atami Onsen there is a legend known as ``Hagihime Legend'' here The legend of Hagihime includes the legend of the miraculous experience of Bandai Atami Hot Springs and the origins of the place's name.

In this article, we will introduce the legend of Hagihime that remains at Bandai Atami Onsen and modern events related to it.

What is Bandai Atami Onsen in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture?

Fukushima Prefecture is divided into three vertical bands, and the Nakadori region is exactly in the middle. Koriyama City is located in the center of Nakadori.

This is the point where the Tohoku Expressway, which runs north-south, and the Banetsu Expressway, which runs east-west, intersect. There is also a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen, making it an easy place to access from outside the prefecture and to other parts of the prefecture. For this reason, it is also called the "Land Port" and is a thriving commercial city and a hub for shopping and business.

In terms of culture, it became known as the Vienna of Tohoku because of the efforts to use music to revive war damage during the post-war period of poverty. Even today, various concerts are held in the city, attracting people as the musical capital of Koriyama.

Bandai Atami Town, located in the western part of Koriyama City, is a hot spring town that has been around for a long time. The simple alkaline spring water can be enjoyed as a gentle and beautifying hot spring that washes away dead skin cells and leaves your skin smooth.

What is the legend of Princess Hagi that is passed down in Bandai Atami Onsen?

In Bandai Atami Onsen, located in the western part of Koriyama City, there is a legend called ``Hagihime Legend.''

Approximately 800 years ago during the Nanbokucho period. In the capital of Kyoto, there was a beautiful princess named Hagihime, the only daughter of a court noble. Hagihime was suffering from an incurable disease.

The maid, Yukie, secluded herself on Mt. Hiei in hopes of healing the princess, but on the day her wish was finally fulfilled, Fudo Myoo appeared at her bedside and gave her a message.

``If you go from Kyoto to Tohoku and soak in the sacred spring on the 500th riverbank, you will be completely cured of your illness.''

After receiving the prophecy, Hagihime and Yukie depart for Tohoku, but they encounter various difficulties along the way. Despite their illness, they finally reached the 500th river and found a hot spring. After soaking in the hot springs they found, Hagihime was completely cured of her illness.

The hot spring that Princess Hagi used is today's "Bandai Atami Onsen" and is still admired by many people as the "hot spring of beauty." The reason the river that flows through the hot spring town is called ``Gohyakugawa'' is because of this legend of Hagihime.

Hagi Hime Festival at Bandai Atami Onsen

Every August, the Hagi Hime Festival is held at Bandai Atami Onsen. This event is based on the legend of Hagihime, and Miss Hagihime appears wearing costumes from the Nanbokucho period. The main events are the Hot Spring Thanksgiving Festival and the Hot Spring Ceremony, which are rituals to express gratitude for the hot springs.

In addition, various events will be held over the two days, including the Hagi Hime Fair and the Hagi Hime Togyo Photo Session.

Hot spring daughter Hagi Bandai Atami is also recommended.

Although it is a little different from the Hagihime legend, the character goods of Onsen Musume Project's ``Bandai Atami Hagi'' are also popular due to the ``Hagi'' connection.

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The Onsen Musume Project is a project that creates two-dimensional characters based on hot spring areas across the country and disseminates them through multifaceted media. Hagi-chan, a character from Bandai Atami Onsen, is also a member of the hot spring girls.

Onsen Musume official website

Link

Onsen Musume official website

https://onsen-musume.jp/character/bandaiatami_hagi

"Onsen Musume" features characters based on hot springs from all over Japan, and the voice actors who provide their voices perform "idol activities" that bring "smiles and healing" to people through song and dance in order to enliven hot spring areas across the country. A project that transcends dimensions

Goods are also on sale at the Bandai Atami Onsen tourist association, hotels, and inns. Be sure to check it out when you visit the area.

summary

This time we introduced the legend of Princess Hagi of Bandai Atami Onsen.

Bandai Atami Onsen is known for its beauty hot springs, and there is a legend that a long time ago it was said to have cured the beautiful Princess Hagi of her illness. The legend of Hagihime is still passed down as one of Bandai Atami Onsen's important tourist attractions, known as the Hagihime Festival.

Be sure to check it out when you visit Bandai Atami Onsen.

Bandai Atami Onsen＜Information＞

• Name: Bandai Atami Onsen Tourism Association
• Address: 4-406 Atami, Atami-cho, Koriyama-shi, Fukushima 963-1309
• Phone number: 024-984-2625
• Official URL: https://www.bandaiatami.or.jp/

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