|
|||||||||||||||||
Fukushima
|
The Aizu region, situated between the Naka-dori region and Niigata Prefecture, consists of two cities, five townships and 11 villages. Aizu-Wakamatsu City in particular boasts a significant historical heritage. The region covers 5,342 square kilometers and comprises 39% of the prefecture's total land area. Aizu has maintained its rich cultural and historical traditions from generation to generation down to the present day and historical sites and other places of interest dot the landscape.
In earlier times, the region, encompassed by mountains, was considered to be somewhat apart from the rest of the nation. Nowadays, however, the Aizu region is one of Japan's most famed tourist destinations, owing to its abundance of scenic, pristine landscapes.
April 1993 saw the opening of the University of Aizu, an educational facility with a strong research and development focus that features Japan's first science and engineering department specializing solely on computer science. In addition, the opening of the Ban'etsu Expressway, which will traverse the region from east to west, will further strengthen the area's dynamic development.
Nature
The region consists of the Aizu Basin stretching northward, the Inawashiro Basin at the foot of Mt.Bandai, and numerous mountain areas.
The region's most interesting feature is its spectacular natural scenery. In the northern part of the region lies Bandai-Asahi National Park, embracing Mt.Bandai, the symbol of Fukushima Prefecture; Lake Inawashiro, Japan's fourth largest lake; and the Bandai Plateau, with its mysterious, breathtaking lake and marshes. In the southwest is the Oze Wetland, a treasure of the Nikko National Park, and Mt.Hiuchi(2,356 meters), the highest mountain in the Tohoku Region.
Streams, originating high in the mountains of Aizu, flow into such rivers as the Tadami and Okawa, running into the Aizu Basin and finally flowing into the Aga River, which empties into the Sea of Japan. The most remarkable climatic feature of the region is the heavy winter snowfall, especially in the Tadami area in the south-west, where it sometimes reaches four meters.
The NAM International Tourist Route
The area covering Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture, and Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture has been designated by the Japanese central government as a special tourist area. Known as the NAM International Tourist Route, or "New Site of Discovery," the area offers nature's beauty on a grand scale as well as such historic and cultural assets as castles and temples. Here visitors can enjoy the simple attractiveness of Japan, refreshingly different from the attractions of Kyoto and Nara. This special tourist area is the destination of an increasing number of travelers from abroad as well as from other parts of Japan.
 |  |
Industry
The Aizu Basin is known for its high-quality rice, which, along with the region's abundance of pure, clean water, is used by the local sake-brewing industry in the production of excellent sake. Traditional industries representative of the area, the result of Aizu-Wakamatsu City's long history as a castle town, are wood-working crafts such as lacquerware-making and the production of sandals from paulownia wood, as well as ceramics from Aizu-Hongo. In addition, water drawn from the heavy snowfall in the region is used to generate electricity, making Aizu one of Japan's largest hydro-electric power-generating areas.
Tourism is a rapidly developing industry in the region as a result of the completion of transportation networks. Among the most popular local tourist attractions are Mt.Bandai, Lake Inawashiro, the Oze Wetland, and the numerous hot springs that can be found throughout the region.
Aizu also has a long history as the center of Buddhist tradition and samurai warrior culture in the Tohoku region and many people visit the area to catch a glimpse of this distinguished historical heritage.
The Aizu Fresh Resort Project
This project, currently under development, is the first to be designated by Japan's national resort law. Planned for a district in eastern Alzu, including Alzu-Wakamatsu City, it will be an all-season, "home-like" resort that features the surrounding area to full advantage where visitors can enjoy themselves and take part in study activities throughout the year.
 |
 |
| Top Page | Site Map |