Oku-Aizu - More Than Just Snow!
Oku-Aizu - you may not see many signs of human life, but you will see
a lot of stunning scenery. Oku-Aizu is the name given to the mountainous
area near the border of Fukushima and Niigata Prefectures, and is comprised
of 5 towns - Tadami, Kaneyama,Mishima, Yanaizu, and 5 villages - Showa,
Nango, Ina, Tateiwa and Hinoemata. The greenery which comes to life in
the spring is almost enough to make you think that putting up with the
metres of winter snow was worth it. I traveled around the area for 2 days,
passing through several towns in the area and visiting places where some
famous local products are made. It was easily the most beautiful and peaceful
place I have visited in Fukushima, and all of Japan for that matter. It
certainly dispels the idea that Japan is all concrete and no nature.
Access: The Oku-Aizu area is quite mountainous and remote, meaning a
car is the most efficient means of transport around the area. There is
a train line from Aizu Wakamatsu which runs through the area, but there
are only a few trains per day. It generally takes about an hour and a
half drive from Aizu Wakamatsu to reach most of the towns in the area,
but the scenery on the way makes the ride pass quickly.
Seasons: Avoid the winter season if possible! Walls of snow up to 3 metres
high make navigation from town to town rather treacherous. Once the snow
melts and the new greenery sprouts though (Late April-Early May), the
area transforms into one of the most beautiful stretches of forest, river
and wildlife imaginable. The mountainous altitude offers a slight respite
from the stifling heat felt in other parts of Fukushima during summer,
but expect in excess of 30 degrees nonetheless. Autumn is again a stunning
array of colours as the endless stretches of tree covered mountains turn
a hue of orange, red and yellow.
I was invited by the Aizu Promotion Bureau to tour the area and create
information in English. Click on the links below to learn about what makes
each place in Oku-Aizu special.
Kaneyama-machi:
Aizu Shinsui Natural Sparkling Mineral Water
Kaneyama-machi:
Minshuku and Candle Making
Mishima-machi:
Aizu Paulownia Carpentry
Mishima-machi:
Aizu Jidori Chicken
Tadami-machi: Mountain
views and Local Aizu Cuisine
Showa-mura: Karamushi
Weaving
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