Tourist Spot Guide

This snow resort boasts the largest number of courses in Toyokita, with a total of 29. It features a kids' slope where children can play for free, a variety of courses for beginners to advanced skiers, and a freestyle park. The snow village "aibe-aibe" also offers snow attractions such as Kamakura Village and snow rafting boats.

■Access
Approximately 24 minutes by car from our hotel
6838-68 Sarashina Kiyohira, Bandai-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-3396
Map here

■Official website
https://www.nekoma.co.jp/

This ski resort is recommended for its diverse six-course slopes, suitable for beginners to advanced skiers, and its location with views of Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro.

■Access
Approximately 30 minutes by car from our hotel
Listel Park, Kawageta, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-2696
Map here

This valley unfolds upstream of the Nakatsu River, which flows down Mount Azuma and empties into Lake Akimoto. It is also well-known as a spectacular spot for viewing autumn leaves. You can descend to the river via a footpath from the parking lot along the Bandai Azuma Lake Line.

■Access
Approximately 14 minutes by car from our hotel
Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture, 966-0400
Map here

This Western-style building was constructed in August 1908 by Prince Arisugawa Takehito, who admired the scenic beauty of Lake Inawashiro. It was named "Tenkyokaku" by Emperor Taisho, inherited by Prince Takamatsu, and later bestowed upon Fukushima Prefecture. Following its designation as a National Important Cultural Property, it underwent restoration and is now open to the public.

■Access
Approximately 32 minutes by car from our hotel
1048-14 Gotenyama, Okinazawa, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-3285
Map here

It has been known nationwide as "Aizu-mine" since the ancient Manyo period. It is a mecca for outdoor activities, with hiking and forest bathing in the green season, skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hot springs at the foot of the mountain.

■Access
Approximately 11 minutes by car from our hotel
Bandaisan, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-3100
Map here

This 17.6km driving course offers spectacular views of the explosive crater of Mt. Bandai, a symbol of Bandai-Asahi National Park, as well as the vast Lake Inawashiro. This tourist road connects the Bandai Plateau, dotted with lakes and marshes of various sizes, with the historic city of Aizu. During the vibrant seasons of fresh greenery and autumn foliage, this is a spot where you can fully enjoy the magnificent natural scenery. It is recommended for driving by car or motorcycle.

■Access
Approximately 15 minutes by car from our hotel
Map here

It is the fourth largest lake in Japan, and at an elevation of 514m, it is one of the highest lakes in the country. It is also known as "Tenkyo Lake" (Heavenly Mirror Lake), which comes from the fact that Emperor Taisho, when he was still Crown Prince, said, "Lake Inawashiro is like a heavenly mirror."
The area is home to endangered species such as bitterlings and grebes, and is home to whooper swans in winter, making it a rich natural environment.Due to its rarity, it is a wetland of international importance and has been registered under the Ramsar Convention.

■Access
Approximately 31 minutes by car from our hotel
Map here

Founded by Hosso Sect Tokuichi Bodhisattva, it was designated a national historic site in 1970. Enichiji Temple is the base of mountain worship centered on Mount Bandai, and is also the birthplace of Aizu Buddhist culture.

■Access
Approximately 33 minutes by car from our hotel
38 Teranishi, Bandai-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-3301
Map here

Built in 1803 as the Aizu Domain's highest educational institution for the purpose of cultivating human resources, the Nisshinkan has been faithfully restored to its original state, allowing visitors to see the magnificent Edo architecture and learning conditions of the time, as well as experience various bushido practices such as archery and zazen, and even paint Aizu's lucky charm, the Akabeko.

■Access
Approximately 38 minutes by car from our hotel
10 Takatsukayama, Minamitakano, Kawahigashi-cho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-3441
Map here

This comprehensive museum park is centered around the residence of Aizu clan chief retainer Saigo Tanomo, and includes the former Nakahata Jinya, an important cultural property, a teahouse, the clan's rice mill, the Aizu History Museum, the "History Walking Zone," Gokobo Kokon, which collects the finest products from Aizu and Fukushima, and the "Kuyotei Restaurant," where you can sample Aizu's local cuisine.

■Access
Approximately 49 minutes by car from our hotel
1 Innai, Ishiyama, Higashiyama-cho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0813
Map here

The scenery, with its rows of thatched-roof houses, exudes a charmingly traditional Japanese atmosphere. Ouchi-juku was a post town that flourished during the Edo period. Water flows from moats on both sides of the road, and the approximately 30 houses give the impression that a procession of feudal lords on their journeys to and from Edo could pass by at any moment. It is also a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

■Access
Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes by car from our hotel
Ouchi, Shimogo-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-5207
Map here

Tsurugajo Castle boasts the fourth highest height among castles in Japan. A renowned fortress that withstood fierce sieges during the Boshin War, it was rebuilt in 1965 and now houses a museum. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of each season, from cherry blossoms in spring to snowscapes in winter.

■Access
Approximately 54 minutes by car from our hotel
1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0873
Map here

Kitakata City Museum of Art of Art building is designed to resemble a brick warehouse, fitting for a facility in a town known for its storehouses. Part of the building is constructed with bricks fired locally in Kitakata, giving it a tranquil feel despite its small size, and it harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding townscape. There are no permanent exhibitions; the museum focuses on temporary exhibitions.

■Access
Approximately 39 minutes by car from our hotel
2-2 Oshikiri, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, 966-0094
Map here

This sake brewery has been producing sake since its founding in 1790 (Kansei 2) in the mid-Edo period. They use distilled water from Mt. Iide as their brewing water, producing famous sake such as "Yaemon Sake." There is a permanent sales counter and sake tasting room, and tours of the brewery are also available.

■Access
Approximately 38 minutes by car from our hotel
4761 Teramachi, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, 966-0861
Map here

Photo courtesy of Kitakata Tourism and Products Association

Kitakata Ramen varies in taste and soup from shop to shop. The noodles also differ in thickness, curliness, and texture. A key characteristic is the use of "flat, aged, high-hydration noodles," which contain more water than typical noodles. There are numerous shops in Kitakata city, each offering its own unique flavor.

This is an ancient shrine said to have been enshrined by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi. The worship hall, "Nagadoko," is a building built in the style of a Heian period shrine, with 44 columns arranged in five rows at equal intervals, and the entire building has an open ceiling. The adjacent Kumano Shrine Treasure Hall houses many nationally and prefecturally designated cultural properties, including copper bowls, which can be viewed.

■Access
Approximately 46 minutes by car from our hotel
2258 Shingu Kumano, Keitokucho, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, 966-0923
Map here

Photo courtesy of Kitakata Tourism and Products Association

Opening in October 2022. The museum will exhibit antique kimonos from the Edo period to the early Showa period, including courtesan travel wear, courtesan uchikake, wedding uchikake and furisode, and meisen silk. Enjoy the beautiful world of kimono, boasting one of the largest collections in Japan. After viewing the exhibits, you can relax in the cafe on the first floor.
*Admission tickets can be purchased at a special price at our hotel.

■Access
Approximately 46 minutes by car from our hotel
5-211 Atami, Atami-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, 963-1309
Map here

■Official website
https://kimonomuseum.jp/

When the Uesugi family unified Echigo Province and came under their control, including Mount Haguro in Shonai (present-day Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture), Naoe Kanetsugu had Yozobo Seijun, the head priest of Mount Haguro, enshrine a divided spirit of Haguro Gongen as the guardian deity of Sasano Kannondo Temple. The temple is also famous for its hydrangeas that bloom in early summer.

■Access
Approximately 1 hour by car from our hotel
5686-5 Sasanohonmachi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1445
Map here

Photo courtesy of Yonezawa City Board of Education

The museum, which displays the old-fashioned sake brewery and sake-making tools on a 4,000m2 site, gives you a feel of the atmosphere befitting Yonezawa, the castle town of Uesugi. The museum was restored in 1984, preserving the original form of the old sake brewery.

■Access
Approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes by car from our hotel
2-3-22 Omachi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0031 (Yanagimachi Kamidori)
Map here

The Uesugi Count's Residence was built in 1896 as the main residence of Uesugi Shigenori (Count), the last lord of the Yonezawa domain, but was completely destroyed in a fire in 1919. The current building was built in 1925 as the main Yonezawa residence of Uesugi Noriaki. Today, you can enjoy local Yonezawa cuisine here. The garden was modeled after Hama-rikyu Gardens in Tokyo.

■Access
Approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes by car from our hotel
1-3-60 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0052
Map here

Uesugi Shrine Treasure Hall opened in 1923 (Taisho 12).
The museum houses a wide variety of materials spanning the Heian to Edo periods, including armor, swords, weapons, paintings, Buddhist paintings, Buddhist altar implements, ceramics, lacquerware, clothing, documents, and calligraphy, and regularly exhibits important cultural properties and art objects. Most of the collection includes the personal belongings of Uesugi Kenshin, Kagekatsu, Yozan, and Naoe Kanetsugu.

■Access
Approximately 1 hour and 8 minutes by car from our hotel
1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture 992-0052
Map here

It was built in 1876 on the site of the Yonezawa Castle main keep, with Uesugi Kenshin and Uesugi Yozan as its deities. In 1902, it was designated a special government-supported shrine, and Kenshin became the only deity enshrined there.

■Access
Approximately 1 hour and 8 minutes by car from our hotel
1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0052
Map here

This famous cherry tree, designated a national natural monument and one of Japan's three great cherry trees, is representative of Fukushima Prefecture. Along with the Pale Ink Cherry Blossom in Gifu Prefecture, it is ranked as the top cherry tree in the east and west. The tree is said to be over 1,000 years old, and its spectacular appearance, as its name Takizakura (Waterfall Cherry Blossom) suggests, is truly spectacular.

■Access
Approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes by car from our hotel
115 Takizakurakubo, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 963-7714
Map here