Magnificent scale! Five attractive installation spots in Fukushima Prefecture

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Akihiro Takahashi(@akiben_0207)がシェアした投稿

The first one I would like to introduce is the Asaka Sosui in Koriyama City. "Sosui "is an artificial waterway built for the purpose of drawing water from a water source such as a lake to an area without water. The Azumi Sosui, constructed in the Meiji Era, seems to have conveyed not only the technology of the time, but also the wishes and passion of the people who worked on the Sosui to the present day. It is a huge structure full of attractions such as canals, dams, bridges, and power plants.

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み・か・ん(@fnw_mikan)がシェアした投稿

There are three major canals in Japan: the Lake Biwa Sosui, the Nasu Sosui, and the Azumi Sosui. They are the Lake Biwa Sosui, the Nasu Sosui, and the Azumi Sosui. The major point of the Azumi Sosui is that it passes water from Lake Inawashiro through a tunnel through the Ou Mountains. It must be somewhat romantic to think that the mountainous area, which has a strong presence even on a map, was conquered 140 years ago. In fact, it goes without saying that there is a great relationship between the opening of the Ajimu Sosui and the current development of Koriyama City.

An indispensable figure in the history of the construction of the Azumi Sosui is the Dutch engineer Van Doorn. He calculated and demonstrated that the water from Lake Inawashiro, which originally flows to the Sea of Japan side, could flow to the Koriyama side without serious adverse effects. The symbol of the Azumi Sosui, the Jurokubashi Sluice Gate, is a major facility for this purpose and is responsible for regulating the water level of Inawashiro Lake. In addition to being highly functional, the stone piers give the bridge a retro atmosphere.

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Michilog☺︎(@michilog_)がシェアした投稿

The Azumi Sosui is not just a mere historical site, but it continues to play an active role in supporting the lives of people in the region even today. Originally, the Sosui project was intended for agricultural use, but after its construction, it was used for a wide range of purposes such as hydroelectric power generation and drinking water. The Sosui is a behind-the-scenes powerhouse that can be said to be the foundation of people's lives in this area. Why don't you come and see its greatness with your own eyes?

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こころから(@cocolocala)がシェアした投稿

Naturally, most tourist destinations are about enjoying the scenery and facilities above ground, but sometimes it is nice to enjoy the world beneath the ground. In the Abukuma Highlands of Fukushima Prefecture, there is a karst plateau where limestone and marble-like rocks are mined. Spread out beneath the ground are limestone caves now called "Abukuma-do ". Come and see with your own eyes the works of art that the earth has created over time.

As of January 2023, the total length of Abukuma-do Cave is estimated to be approximately 3300 meters, including the parts not open to the public. There are many limestone caves in Japan, but Abukuma-do is unique in terms of the number and variety of stalactites. The variety of shapes and sizes of the stalactites, each with a unique name, and the use of a dimming system make Abukuma-do an entertaining place to visit.

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Tomoya Kudo(@tomo.k_80)がシェアした投稿

Abukuma-do consists of a 600-meter general course and a 120-meter exploration course that is entered from a branch in the middle of the general course. As the name suggests, the exploration course is relatively more challenging, requiring visitors to be more careful as they have to bend down, the ceiling is low, and there are places where the footholds are not good. However, it is a recommended option for those who are interested, as the stalactites that can be seen are more expansive, and the sense of adventure is more enjoyable.

Seasonal events are a good opportunity to visit Abukuma-do. For example, from mid-June to early July, the lavender garden is open. Visitors can enjoy a variety of hands-on classes while viewing the 50,000 lavender plants. Another attractive product is Abukuma-do's limited-edition wine stored in the cave, ", and its name is Akanekita-mellow ". The wine is made from locally grown mountain grapes and stored in the stable environment of the cave throughout the year. This is another must-try when visiting.

<施設情報>
Facility Name: Abukuma-do Cave
Address: 1 Sugaya Higashi Kamayama, Takine-cho, Tamura-shi, Fukushima 963-3601
Phone number: 0247-78-2125
Official website: https://abukumado.com/

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極上の会津プロジェクト協議会(@gokujounoaizu)がシェアした投稿

Ouchi Juku is one of Fukushima Prefecture's most popular tourist destinations, known for its rows of traditional Japanese buildings. It is a bustling spot where you can enjoy the so-called "Japaneseness "like Shirakawa-go in Hida.

During the Edo period (1603-1867), inn towns established in various regions played a major role in welcoming people on their way to and from work. Ouchi-juku was one such town. In April 1981, it was designated by the national government as a "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings "and has remained unchanged.

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kouchan_310hk(@kouchan_310hk)がシェアした投稿

The most impressive part of the traditional houses in Ouchi-juku is the thatched roof. This traditional method, which has been used since the Edo period (1603-1868), has been handed down to the present day as a result of preservation efforts by the villagers. To compensate for the thatched roof's critical disadvantage of being vulnerable to fire, an annual water drill is held on September 1, and many visitors come to see the drill as an event.

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Manta Claus(@mhama_s645)がシェアした投稿

It is amazing that the landscape has remained virtually the same even after 400 years. But even more impressive is the fact that it is still in actual use as a store and residence. It is noteworthy that the village has been selected by the government as a preservation area, and that the three principles of "not selling, not renting, and not destroying "are being followed to pass on an authentic village to the future.

<施設情報>
Facility name: Ouchi-juku
Address: Oaza Ouchi, Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
Phone number: 0241-68-3611
Official website: https://ouchi-juku.com/

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月🍓🌙（CanonEOSR6/宮城/東北）(@s.t.rawberry_moon)がシェアした投稿

In the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture, on the border between Date City and Soma City, there is a mountain called Ryozen, which is characterized by steep undulations of rocks. Although not that high (825 meters above sea level), the mountain has many titles as a tourist attraction, such as a national scenic beauty spot and one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan. It also has an interesting background that is related to major events in Japan's history.

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zen s(@tyayanuma)がシェアした投稿

The site is composed mainly of rugged basalt, and the overall terrain is rich in ups and downs. The rugged landscape is so rough and rugged that it is no wonder that the area is considered a religious sanctuary. On the other hand, the views from each of the observatories are reputed to be very spectacular.

If you are a fan of Japanese history, you may know about the Northern and Southern Dynasties of the Muromachi Period. Reizan Castle is known to have been the base of Kakeie Kitabatake, a powerful military commander of the Southern Dynasty at that time. His death is said to have been one of the turning points in the Nanboku-cho period. History buffs may find this place intriguing.

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hananokiroku(@hananokiroku614)がシェアした投稿

Although the rocky surface of this sacred mountain is conspicuous, the combination with the colored leaves in autumn is outstanding. The mountain usually attracts many climbers from late October to early November.

Lastly, I would like to introduce you to a natural work of art that creates an impressive sight along the river: "Pagoda Hetsuri ". This is one of those places where the more you observe, the more you are overwhelmed by the beauty of the formations. It is definitely on the top of my list of places to visit when I visit Fukushima Prefecture.

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Masumi Yamamuro(@photoshoot24hrs)がシェアした投稿

To-no-hetsuri is designated as a national natural monument. "Hetsuri "is an unfamiliar word in Japan, but it is one of the dialects of the Aizu region. It refers to the steep cliffs that approach the river, but nowadays it has become a word used exclusively to refer to this place.

The most distinctive feature of To-no-Hetsuri is the arrangement of large, oddly shaped rocks in a canyon about 200 meters long. The reason why the rocks are arranged in this way is that they have been chipped away from the softer parts of the riverbanks by water erosion and weathering over the years. The forces of nature are sometimes invisible to the naked eye, but they can sometimes produce tremendous results.

Since the valley is located in the suburbs, it is naturally convenient to visit by car, but for access from the Tokyo metropolitan area, use of the Aizu Railway Aizu Line is also highly recommended. "Tonohetsuri "station, and it takes only 10 minutes on foot to get there, so it is very attractive to start sightseeing in a jiffy.