FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE

FUKUSHIMA MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Aizu Wakamatsu is a city located in the western part of Fukushima Prefecture. During the Boshin War, the then town of Aizu Wakamatsu with its Aizu Wakamatsu Castle were besieged by Imperial forces, and although they surrended the people were badly treated afterwards. Aizu Wakamatsu attractions include the reconstructed Aizu Wakamatsu Castle, Tsuruga Castle Park, which is most famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, and Aizu Matsudaira's Royal Garden.

Fukushima City is the capital of Fukushima Prefecture and is located 63km north west of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and around 250km north of Tokyo.

FUKUSHIMA CASTLES

Aizu Wakamatsu Castle, also known as Tsuruga Castle, is a hilltop style Japanese Castle located in the city of Aizu Wakamatsu Fukushima Prefecture. When Aizu Wakamatsu Castle was first constructed in 1384 under the orders of Ashina Naomori, it was named Kurokawa Castle. In 1589 Aizu Wakamatsu Castle was captured by Date Masamune, only to lose it in 1590 to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In 1592 the new lord, Gamo Ujisato, redeveloped the castle and named it Tsuruga Castle, however it was also known as Aizu Castle and Wakamatsu Castle. In 1868 in the Boshin War, Aizu Wakamatsu Castle was taken under siege for a month and then surrendered. Most of Aizu Wakamatsu Castle was then dismantled as part of the Meiji Restoration. In 1965 a concrete reconstruction of the main keep was completed.

Komine Castle, also known as Shirakawa Castle, is a hilltop style Japanese Castle located in the city of Shirakawa Fukushima Prefecture. Chikatomo Yuki ordered the construction of Komine Castle in 1340. By 1627 control of Komine Castle had changed to Nagashige Niwa, who in 1628 ordered the removal of 100,000 stone blocks from the nearby Tanagura Castle to aid the defence of Komine Castle. By 1632 the enhanced Komine Castle was completed and renamed Shirakawa Castle. In 1868, during the Boshin War, Komine Castle came under siege from Emperor Meiji's forces, who destroyed the castle. Between 1991 and 1994 significant parts of Komine Castle were reconstructed include the donjon (tower).

Nihonmatsu Castle, also known as Kasumiga Castle, is a mountain top style Japanese Castle located in Nihonmatsu Fukushima Prefecture. Nihonmatsu Castle was built around 1430 and was destroyed by fire in 1586. In 1643 a new castle was built at the base of the mountain, but was demolished in the Meiji Restoration. Today only remains exist of the original castle, however there is a modern reconstruction of main gate.

Obama Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle located near the city of Nihonmatsu Fukushima Prefecture. Obama Castle was constructed by the Ishibashi clan members in the Muromachi period. In 1568 Ouchi Yoshitsuna defeated Ishibashi Naoyoshi and took control of the Shiomatsu area which included Obama Castle. Ouchi Sadatsuna was defeated by Date Masamune, who then took control of Obama Castle without it being involved in battle. In 1627 Obama Castle was abandoned and today only ruins remain. Note: there is also an unrelated Obama Castle in Fukui Prefecture.

FUKUSHIMA SHRINES and TEMPLES

Ganjoji Temple, also known as Shiramizu Amidado, is a Buddhist temple located in Iwaki Fukushima Prefecture. The Amidado building of Ganjoji Temple was built in 1160 by Princess Tokuhime of Northern Fujiwara and is a designated National Treasure. The site including the Amidado building and its related paradise garden are a designated Historic Site. The Amidado contains five statues, with the three wooden ones; Amida Nyorai triad, Jikokuten and Tamonten, all dating to the Heian period and designated as Important Cultural Properties.

FUKUSHIMA LANDMARKS

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (also known as Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant) located near Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture is famous for the nuclear incident including explosions and fire which released significant amounts of radiation into the environment after the tsunami, caused by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, damaged the plant. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is located 63km from Fukushima City.

Miharu Takizakura is a cherry blossom tree that is over 1,000 years old, which is located in the town of Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture. Miharu Takizakura is part of a group of waterfall style cherry blossom trees known as Miharu Shidarezakura, which are included in the Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Miharu Takizakura is 12m high, with a massive 9.5m circumference trunk and maximum spread of 22m. Miharu Takizakura is classified as one of the five great cherry trees of Japan, one of three giant cherry trees and a designated National Treasure.

FUKUSHIMA GARDENS and PARKS

Kasumiga Castle Park in Nihonmatsu Fukushima Prefecture is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Kasumiga Castle Park is also the location of Nihonmatsu Castle ruins, also known as Kasumiga Castle.

Miharu Shidarezakura is a group of waterfall style cherry blossom trees located in the town of Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture. Miharu is one of the few locations where cherry, plum and peach trees all blossom at the same time, making for a particularly special cherry blossom viewing and one of the reasons Miharu being included in the Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. The other reason is Miharu Takizakura, the cherry blossom tree which is over 1,000 years old.

Tsuruga Castle Park, located in Aizu Wakamatsu Fukushima Prefecture, is most famous for its cherry blossom being considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Tsuruga Castle Park also features the modern reconstruction of Aizu Wakamatsu Castle, also known as Tsuruga Castle.