An area rich in nature and unique food (Kitakata City Shiokawa Region, Yugawa-mura, Aizu Wakamatsu City Kita Aizu Region)

Kitakata City Shiokawa Region, located in the northern part of Aizu Wakamatsu City was historically a city of merchants which was flourishing in the ship transportation business. The pastoral landscape and natural beauty between Yugawa-mura, an area famous for its rice production, and the northern part of Aizu Wakamatsu City’s Kita Aizu Region area is breathtaking, and you can also sample the many unique foods available there. This area should be a oprtional destination in your trip to the Aizu Wakamatsu and Kitakata city area. Here we will introduce places you should see and recommend some spots to visit around the area.

Nippashi River The Shiokawa region was in the past the main place of physical distribution in Aizu area. The many main roads leading from this point to destinations throughout the region and the development of ship transportation using the local river helped turn the town into a bustling commercial city filled with merchants, craft workers and travelers. In the present day, there are many local events related to these local bodies of water, such as festivals where people learn information about the rivers, and a hot-air balloon contest is also featured. Towns of Noren (shop curtains) This center of the Shiokawa Region has been flourishing as a commercial city and the shops on the streets here have many very original names on their shops. Those shop curtains hanging in front of the shops allow them to display their history. Catfish Dish There have been plenty of river fish caught in Nippashi River. Many of this area’s catfish dishes are very famous and delicious. Here you can try dishes such as catfish ramen and catfish sushi in the restaurants in this town. Gotenba Park This successor to the lord of Aizu used this natural park as a playground and for hunting hawks. The cherry blossoms in the spring and the iris flowers of summer are fantastically beautiful in this park. (Transportation: 15 minutes walk from the Shiokawa Station, close to the Nippashi River) Locusts Boiled in Sweetened Soy Sauce This dish is a specialty in Yugawa-mura, an area famous for its rice. Locusts which are attracted to the rice are cooked in sweetened soy sauce. Shoujoji Temple Shojo-ji, symbolic of Yugawa’s culture, is also an excellent example of the older style of temples found in the Tohoku region. It was opened in 807 by a great scholar of the Hosso sect of Buddhism named Tokuichi. Among its articles are three National Treasures, and nine Important Cultural Assets. It is especially rare nationwide for so many Buddhist figures from the early Heian period to be kept in one temple. (Transportation: A five minute drive from Shiokawa Station) Fruit picking A wide variety of fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, peaches, pears, grapes, melons, and apples are in season from spring until autumn in the Aizu Wakamatsu City and Kita Aizu Regions. Fruit picking is very popular at this time of year. You can go and pick fruit at the many farms open to tourists in this area. Fruit is in season throughout the year, except for in the winter time. You can also enjoy tasting the fresh fruit as you pick. Appreciating the Beauty of Fireflies You can see Genji Fireflies dancing with joy everywhere in the Kita Aizu Region as a result of the regional effort to preserve them, which has been in effect for more than ten years now. Hotaru no Mori Koen (Firefly Forest Park) is the main spot to go if you wish to see the beauty of fireflies. People from Fukushima prefecture and all over come to visit this park every year from about mid-June to early July to enjoy the fantastic light show presented by the numerous fireflies.

Recommended Spots Kawabansho Many specialties from the town are displayed here, and information about the town is provided as well(Transportation: 10 minutes walk form the Shiokawa Station or catch a bus from the Aizu Wakamatsu Station) Naraya You can taste the local sweets, Kokonoe, which are famous in the Shiokawa Region. (Transportation: 10 minutes walk from JR Shiokawa Station) Maruichi Here you can have a multiple course catfish meal. (Transportation: five minutes walk from the Shiokawa Station) Pastoral Landscape in Yugawa-mura Rice produced in Yugawa-mura is considered to be some of the best in all of Aizu. In autumn, it is delightful to see the fields of rice rippling as the winds blow. Kita Aizu Wine In 1905, this winery was the first in Fukushima to be given permission to begin production. Itoyo This fish, known as togecho of the class togeuo, grows to be around 5cm in length and features thorns on their dorsal fins and belly. This unique fish is only found in a small area in the north part of Japan. Hakusan Swamp This swamp is a habitat of the Itoyo fish and has been nominated as one of the natural monuments of Fukushima Prefecture.