This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Bandai Atami Town in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. This popular area is known for its hot springs, Bandai Atamiof Princess Hagi . The legend of Princess Hagi tells the miraculous legend of Bandai Atami Hot Springs and explains the origins of the place's name.
In this article, we will introduce the legend of Princess Hagi that remains in Bandai Atami Onsen and the modern events related to it
What is Bandai Atami Onsen in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture?
Fukushima Prefecture is divided into three vertical strips, with the Nakadori region being the exact center. Koriyama City is located in the center of the Nakadori region
It is the intersection of the Tohoku Expressway, which runs north to south, and the Ban'etsu Expressway, which runs east to west. It is also home to a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen, making it easy to access from both outside the prefecture and various parts of the prefecture. For this reason, it is also known as a "land port," and is a bustling commercial city serving as a hub for shopping and business
In terms of culture, Koriyama has been called the Vienna of Tohoku because of its efforts to rebuild the city through music during the difficult postwar period. Even today, various concerts are held in the city, attracting people as the musical capital of Koriyama
JR Ban'etsu West Line – Bandai Atami Station
Bandai Atami, located in the western part of Koriyama City, is a hot spring town with a long history. The alkaline simple spring water is gentle and beautiful for the skin, washing away dead skin cells and leaving it smooth
The legend of Princess Hagi passed down in Bandai Atami Onsen
In Bandai Atami Onsen, located in the western part of Koriyama City, there is a legend called the "Hagihime Legend."
Approximately 800 years ago, during the Nanboku-cho period, there was a beautiful princess named Hagihime, the only daughter of a nobleman in the capital Kyoto. Hagihime was suffering from an incurable disease
The maid, Sachie, secluded herself on Mount Hiei, praying for the princess's recovery, and on the day her wish was finally fulfilled, Acala appeared at her bedside and gave her a prophecy
"If you go northeast from Kyoto and bathe in the sacred spring on the bank of the 500th river, you will be completely cured of your illness."
Having received the prophecy, Princess Hagi and Sachie set out on a journey towards Tohoku, but they faced many difficulties along the way. Despite their illnesses, they continued their journey, and finally reached the 500th river, where they found a gushing hot spring. After bathing in the hot spring, Princess Hagi's illness was cured
The hot spring that Princess Hagi bathed in is now known as "Bandai Atami Onsen," and is still "beauty bath ." The river that flows through the hot spring town is also called "Gohyakugawa" (Ihyaku River), because of the legend of Princess Hagi.
Princess Hagi Festival at Bandai Atami Onsen
Every August, the Hagihime Festival is held at Bandai Atami Onsen. This event is based on the legend of Princess Hagi, and features Miss Hagihime dressed in costume from the Northern and Southern Courts period. The main events are the Hot Spring Thanksgiving Festival, a religious ceremony to express gratitude to the hot springs, and the Hot Spring Offering Festival
In addition, various events will be held over the two days, such as the Hagihime Festival and the Hagihime Procession Photo Session
I also recommend Onsen Musume's Bandai Atami Hagi-chan
Although it is a little removed from the legend of Princess Hagi, character goods featuring "Bandai Atami Hagi" from the Onsen Musume Project are also popular due to the "Hagi" connection
The Onsen Musume Project is a project that creates two-dimensional characters based on hot springs around Japan and promotes them through various media. Hagi-chan, the mascot for Bandai Atami Onsen, is one of the Onsen Musume members
Merchandise is also available for sale at the Bandai Atami Onsen Tourist Association, hotels, and inns, so 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, known for its beauty baths, has a legend that says that the beautiful Princess Hagi was cured of her illness long ago. The legend of Princess Hagi is still passed down today as one of Bandai Atami Onsen's important tourist attractions, known as the Princess Hagi Festival
Be sure to check it out when you visit Bandai Atami Onsen
Bandai Atami Hot Springs <Information>
Name: Bandai Atami Onsen Tourism Association
Address: 4-406 Atami, Atami-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, 963-1309
Woman in her 30s / Resident of Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture / Writer who handles local gourmet information / Favorite phrase is coexistence and co-prosperity
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