Aizu & Iwaki / Fukushima

Tatsuzawa Fudo-daki at Inawashiro

As you know, Fukushima is still in a process of recovering from huge disaster of Tunami and Nuclear accident. It seems Fukushima's recovering process has been put behind because of the government and Tokyo Electric Power Co. still think that SEP!  I was born in Fukushima and my parents, relatives and friends are still live in there. It's been a long time since people in Fukushima start not expecting anything to the government. On the other hand, the people in Japan start to realize unless they have to do something about Fukushima, miracles won't happen and Fukushima will be a dark chapter in Japanese history. Well, they recognized that one of the best way of helping is to visit and to spend money, and vitalize the economy in Fukushima.


Let's me introduce some of the sightseeing spots in Fukushima and what is happening.
In the middle of June, me and two other friends from Tokyo visited Fukushima. Taking bullet train from Tokyo station is the fastest way and takes only 1 hour and 10 min. Railway transportation developed so well in Japan but the fare is very expensive. One way trip from Tokyo to Koriyama costs about 8,000JPY, 16,000JPY for the round trip to, so I suggest to buy a Japan Rail Pass costs only 28,000JPY for 7days and pretty much able to use any JR trains over the Japan.


First, we visited Hisanohama-area in Iwaki.  Iwaki is located in the SouthEast side of Fukushima and about 30km away from Fukushima nuclear plants. This area had hit by Tsunami and the people and houses were damaged heavily. But now, we saw signs of recovery everywhere such as Iwaki lalamew where landmark shop of Iwaki area was crowded heavily by the number of tourist. Even Iwaki area is close from nuclear plants, radiation level is very low compared with other Fukushima's major city like Koriyama and Fukushima, and that might contribute to the reason for tourists to visit and support Iwaki area.

Hongo-Ware

Next day, we went to Aizu Hongo and Inawashiro area where located South side of Fukushima.Aizu Hongo is famous for Hong-ware originated making tiles to a roof of Aizuwakamatsu castle. In Hongo, porcelain and pottery are being made. Being produced both at same area is very rare in Japan. Also, using various glaze allows for makers to express their creativity over wares. 

Bandai Moutain

Aizu area is surrounded by the beautiful nature such as Inawashiro-lake and Bandai-mountains and those are rich in natural resources. The Onsen is certainly the one of them. 

Manyo-Tei

Dinner Appetizers

After we left Aizu, we headed to Inawashiro and we stayed over the night at Manyo-Tei at Nakanosawa onse. I work for Travel agency and I stayed many hotels and Japanese style Ryokan all over Japan, but let me tell you this Manyo-Tei is one of the best Japanese style Ryokan I've ever stayed. Food was awesome and Onsen located in the middle of the forests made us super relax., and moreover, atmosphere was very nice. According to Manyo-Tei's blog, radiation level is very low which pretty much same level as Tokyo. In fact, Inawashiro has been housing for evacuees from Futaba area where restricted due to the nuclear accident.

Tatsuzawafudo-daki

Next day, we visited to Tatsuzawa Fudo-daki where located 5km away from Manyo-Tei. This beautiful waterfall is used for film shooting quite often, but not many people know where to exist since this location is difficult to found and hard to reach. But it's worth to visit.

Tenmori Soba 1,370JPY

Ohori

Inawashiro is very famous area of production of Soba. Usually Soba noodle and Tempura is a set menu. We went to the Soba restaurant call Ohori and ate Tenmori-Soba. Soba noodle was very delicious and wild vegetable Tempura was very fresh.

Goshikinuma Lake

After the lunch, we headed to Goshikinuma Lake originated volcanic eruption of Bandai Mountain at 1888. Due to the quality of volcanic water, the lake surface seems to has five different colors , and that how it came to be the lake's name.(Gishiki=five)  There are several trekking courses around the lake allows to enjoy and feel the part of Bandai Asahi National Park that is the third biggest National Park of Japan.

Morohashi Museum of Modern Art

Morohashi Museum of Modern Art located a few minutes away from Goshikinuma Lake has one of the foremost Salvador Dali collections around the world.

Matsumoto Craft Fair / Nagano Matsumoto

Matsumoto craft fair is one of the biggest outdoor craft fair held in Japan every year on the last weekend in May.  This is my first time visiting the fair and Matsumoto city.  


In the early morning of 27th of May,  I took JR Super-Azusa from Shinjyuku-station and headed to Matsumoto.  It took almost 2.5 hours from Shinjyuku-station, but this is the fastest way to get to Matsumoto.  Taking Expressway bus from Shinjyuku-station was alternative option, it's cheaper but takes more time.  I found out later on buying Super-Azusa ticket at ticket outlet shop was much more cheaper than buying ticket at JR station, almost 2,000 yen cheaper.

About 280 craftsmen gathered from all over Japan and about 72,000 people enjoyed for this two days fair.  All the booth were full of unique crafts which handmaded by Japanese young crafts artists.  Matsumoto Crafts fair was held at Agatano-Mori Park.  About 20 min from Mataumoto Station by walking, and also for 100-yen there was shuttle bus from Matsumto Station to Agatano-Mori Park every 5 min. To prevent illegal parking and stand in the position of  preventing global warming, this fair strongly suggested use public transportation.

Let's me introduce several craftsmen that I though very interesting.

■KOBAYASHI/KATSUHISA （小林克久）

Place: Okayama

Category: Woodwork, Urushi

Wooden bowl roughly hand carved and put Japanese lacquer called Urushi on top. To increase in strength, add Jino-ko (powder of wood coal、stone) in Urushi and coats inside of the bowl. The reflection of light shows different faces in this bowl. 

■OOSAKO/YUKI (大迫友紀)

Place: Ishikawa

Category: Glass products

She express sensitiveness through her various type of glass products. Those frosted glasses lead us into the nostalgic memories of our past.  

■SEO/MAKOTO (瀬尾誠)

Place: Nagano

Category: Urushi

I was very impressed by his work that changed my concept of Urushi.  Urushi is generally used for lacquer ware such as dishes and soup bowls. Those lacquer wares are usually coated clean and sharp paint, but Mr. Seo uses Urshi for createing unique shapes and adding depth for his works. He is creating Art by Urushi.

                                                     

After Matsumoto Craft Fair, I visited Matsumoto Castle. Matsumoto Castle, sometime called 'Crow Castle' is one of four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan, and also the oldest castle  donjon remaining in Japan. It takes about 20min by walking or 10min by bus from Matsumoto station. On the sidewalk, ancient landscape of the town still remain, so I suggest by walking.

 

Especially street called ''Nakamachi-Dori' has many galleries which sell different types of Japanese traditional handcrafts such as Urushi, Porcelain, Textile, Woodwork, Glass and so on.