Fukushima

Fukushima (福島県; -ken) is a prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan.

Aizu/Wakamatsu (会津若松)

Lively Castle town. Famous foods include the heart-stoppingly delicious agemanju (deep fried red bean filled buns.)

Tsuruga Castle Once a large stronghold, it was burned down by the Meiji gov't after the Boshin war. A concrete replica now stands where the original used to. Mostly serves as a museum, with the top floor as a viewing station of the surrounding area. A must see, but not necessarily a must pay to enter

Tamura (田村)

Caves Fukushima is known to have a number of limestone caves dotted along the eastern side of the prefecture. The most famous of which is Abukuma-do One of the largest sprawling caves in the country, there are two courses, the regular and the exploration course. Exploration course is ￥200 more that you pay in the cave. Warning: exploration course is pretty tough. Lots of (very) tight spaces and slippery areas (that's what she said,) but still quite beautiful. As is the view of the area from the entrance.

Takizakura Located in Miharu town, this weeping cherry tree is over 1000 years old. it is beautiful year round, but is particularly nice in April when it blossoms.

Bandai (磐梯)

Mt. Bandai is surrounded by the Bandai-Asahi national park, which is wonderful for camping, trekking, and sight seeing. (The night view of Mt.Bandai in winter is supposed to be amazing.)

Inawashiro (猪苗代)

Birthplace of Hideyo Noguchi (the guy on the 1000yen bill) Named after Lake Inawashiro, or maybe the lake was named after the town. Either way its a great place for camping. There are numerous campsites all around the lake, as well as parks and onsens. Jet ski rentals are available, as are swan boats.

Takakonuma Greenland

Takakonuma Greenland (高子沼グリーンランド) is a really creepy amusement park that closed down in 1999. Map.

See also

• Fukushima JET website
• http://wikitravel.org/en/Fukushima_(prefecture)