[Fukushima Prefecture] The Legend of Princess Hagi: A Legend Remaining in the Popular Hot Springs Resort of Bandai Atami

Bandai-Atami Town in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.Bandai-Atami hot springsWhile popular for itsthe "Hagihime Legend." The Hagihime Legend reveals the miraculous powers of the Bandai-Atami hot springs and the origins of the place 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

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 the western part of Koriyama City, in the Bandai-Atami Onsen area,the "Hagihime Legend."there is a legend known as

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 bathed by Princess Hagi is now known as "Bandai Atami Onsen," and it is stilla "beauty spring." The river that flows through the hot spring town is also called "Gohyakugawa" (Five Hundred River), a name derived from this 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

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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

Onsen Musume Official Website

Onsen Musume Official Website

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

"Onsen Musume" is a cross-dimensional project in which characters based on hot springs all over Japan and the voice actors who voice them perform "idol activities" to bring "smiles and healing" to people through song and dance in order to enliven hot spring resorts across the country

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
• Phone number: 024-984-2625
• Official URL:https://www.bandaiatami.or.jp/

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Haruka Hashimoto

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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