Cherry Blossoms, Hot Springs, and Festivals! Nihonmatsu Travel Tips
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Even if you're visiting for the first time, Nihonmatsu City in Fukushima feels somehow familiar. Discover the beauty of Japan in this city that offers history and nature with a castle, hot springs, and historic festivals. Learn more about Nihonmatsu and the wonderful places to visit here.
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Tokyo, Japan
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Discover Beautiful Japan in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima
Sakura Hill. Photo by Pixta
Nihonmatsu, a castle town in Fukushima Prefecture, is a historical city. The area is full of serene nature along with the famous Mt. Adatara to the west, Abukuma Highlands to the east, and Abukuma River flowing through the city center.
Several locations famous as cherry blossom and autumn foliage viewing spots are scattered throughout the city; visitors can enjoy here the beauty of all four seasons. The Sakura Hill at the foot of Mt. Adatara and Kassenba’s Weeping Cherry Trees are two places that are especially well-known.
Picture courtesy of Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima
Many festivals, such as the Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival, have existed for hundreds of years. Festivals are a unique way to deeply experience the traditions and cultures passed down by the locals of Nihonmatsu.
If you prefer embarking on a more activity-oriented trip, how about climbing Mt. Adatara or skiing in the winter? It will feel even more relaxing to dip into the hot springs at the mountain foothills after some exercise!
How to Get to Nihonmatsu from Tokyo
We recommend taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Nihonmatsu.
First, take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station. Transfer to a train on the JR Tohoku Main Line and alight at Nihonmatsu Station. The total travel time is two hours. It will cost 8,250 yen for an unreserved seat.
If you’re taking a car, then it will be a three-hour drive from the Tohoku Expressway Urawa IC to Nihonmatsu IC.
Amazing Sights and Seasonal Flowers on Mt. Adatara
Photo by Pixta
Mt. Adatara, stretching west of Nihonmatsu, is one of the gorgeous mountains selected among Japan's most famous one hundred mountains.
This mountain is also one of the most famous flower destinations in Japan. Seasonal flowers, including dogtooth violets, renge azaleas, and Japanese gentian, are successively in full bloom from spring to autumn.
The best time to see the autumn foliage is from early to mid-October. During this time, you can witness the amazing sight of Japanese beech trees and Mongolian oaks coloring the mountain in red and yellow hues.
Photo by Pixta
The summit rises to about 1,700 meters above sea level. However, visitors can take a ropeway to Mount Yakushi Panorama Park, the eighth station, to enjoy a mountain hike. You can see Mt. Bandai and the Zao Mountain Range amid the deep blue sky from the summit.
Cherry Blossoms and Autumn Foliage at Kasumigajo Castle Park
Photo by Pixta
Nihonmatsu Castle, one of Japan's one hundred famous castles, is also known as Kasumigajo Castle.
According to historical records, Nihonmatsu Castle was constructed by Lord Niwa Mitsushige—the first feudal lord of the Nihonmatsu domain—over ten years. Today, the original structures no longer exist. All that remains are the stone walls. Minowa Gate and the castle’s two-story turret were reconstructed, allowing visitors a glimpse of what the castle looked like at the time.
Photo by Pixta
The castle ruins were developed into the Prefectural Kasumigajo Castle Park. It is now a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn foliage in the fall. Each year in early April, around 2,500 Yoshino cherry trees and other cherry blossom varieties reach full bloom. It’s a sight that lives up to the name of Kasumigajo Castle.
The best time to see the autumn leaves is from early October to late November. The Fall Foliage Festival is held to coincide with the peak of the autumn colors. This period also marks the Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival (discussed later), making this the perfect opportunity to admire the autumn leaves and chrysanthemums in a single visit.
A Nature-Rich Hot Spring Town at the Foothills of Mt. Adatara
Dake Onsen is situated at the base of Mt. Adatara. This hot spring town is similar to a highland resort lined with cafes and restaurants. You can experience Mt. Adatara’s nature in proximity and gently heal from the fatigue of travel.
The Rare Acidic Springs of Dake Onsen
Picture courtesy of Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima
Dake Onsen is an acidic hot spring—a rarity in Japan—that is said to be effective for chronic dermatitis due to its high sterilizing properties. The hot spring is also known for creating beautiful skin since the acidic components dissolve keratin in the skin.
One striking feature of Dake Onsen is the water sourced from a fountainhead gushing from highlands that sit at 1,500 meters above sea level. The hot water then travels for eight kilometers to the hot spring town. Acidic springs are generally known to be highly stimulating. The water is cooled using the yumomi method by running the water for 40 minutes through wooden containers called yudoi on the mountain. It then becomes spring water that is gentle on the skin.
Yubana Nagashi is a routine cleaning that involves washing out the yunohana (hot spring mineral deposits) accumulated in the yudoi. This cleaning is done once a week in the summer and once every two weeks in the winter. The day this cleaning is done is called Milky Day. If you happen to visit on this day, you can enjoy soaking in a hot spring turned milky white from the yunohana.
Spectacular Festivals in Autumn!
Obama Montsuki Festival. Picture courtesy of Fukushima Prefecture
The autumn festival season is your chance to experience Nihonmatsu’s traditional culture.
Every year, historical events are held continuously from October. The Obama Montsuki Festival is a parade of shrine parishioners clad in crested haori and hakama marching through the streets. Abare Dashi is an event in Harimichi that livens up the streets with parade floats clashing against one another.
The Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival and Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival are two of the busiest events during this season.
Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival
Photo by Pixta
The autumn festival held at Nihonmatsu Shrine is called Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival and has existed for over 360 years. It has been designated an important intangible folk cultural property of Fukushima Prefecture.
Festival highlights include the gorgeous taiko floats sent from the seven neighborhoods in Nihonmatsu. More than 300 lanterns are hung from the frames of these seven-meter-tall floats, which are led around the streets to cheerful festival music performances. The clusters of lanterns lit up in the night sky are soul-stirring and impactful.
The festival is held for three days from the first Saturday in October every year. An evening event held on the first day is noticeably thrumming with more energy than other days. That’s because this night is the only time you’ll see the seven taiko drum floats gather together. At the end of the first day, the floats will gather in front of Nihonmatsu Station.
*The festival has been held at a reduced scale in recent years to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please check the official website of Nihonmatsu Shrine (Japanese) for details.
Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival
Picture courtesy of Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima
The Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival began in 1955 and is held annually from mid-October to mid-November. This event also allows visitors to enjoy the chrysanthemums and autumn foliage simultaneously.
By the way, chrysanthemum dolls are figurines that wear clothes made of chrysanthemum flowers. This craft began in the late Edo Period. Many of these gorgeous dolls are dressed according to an annual theme and are displayed for the duration of the Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival.
Picture courtesy of Fukushima Prefecture
The Senrinzaki chrysanthemums are another highlight! Senrinzaki refers to thousands of chrysanthemums that are made to bloom from a single stem into a dome shape. It is an artwork created over a long period by craftspeople using their expertise.
*The festival has been scaled back and held as the Kasumigajo Park Chrysanthemum Exhibition in recent years to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please check the Nihonmatsu Tourism Federation website (Japanese) for details.
A Journey to Discover the Authentic Side of Japan
Kassenba’s Weeping Cherry Tree. Picture courtesy of Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima
Nihonmatsu is a charming city that lives and breathes its history and traditions with flora conveying the changing seasons. The city will refresh your soul simply by being there. Venture out to Nihonmatsu and enjoy the beautiful sights and traditional Japanese culture that you won’t find in large metropolitan areas!
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Written by Kumiko Ishigaki
Main image courtesy of Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima
Supported by Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
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