Impressive snowy scenery that can only be found in winter in Fukushima.

Fukushima Prefecture is known for its snowfall and is covered in snow in February. If you visit Fukushima in winter, we recommend that you include in your travel plans the spectacular sights that can only be seen during this season. Here are three spots where you can enjoy the unique scenery of Fukushima in winter, such as fantastic ice scenes created by nature, villages covered in snow, and fantastic festivals with candlelight twinkling in the snow.

Spray ice on Lake Inawashiro, spectacular scenery created by nature!

Ice spray is a phenomenon that occurs in sub-zero climates. The lake water is blown by strong westerly winds, and the spray is repeatedly blown onto trees along the shore, resulting in ice accretion and the formation of large ice monuments. Although this phenomenon is rare in Japan, it is a well-known winter tradition at Lake Inawashiro. The sight of ice larger than a person can be seen, and is breathtaking. Being surrounded by ice, you feel as if you have wandered into a different world. You can feel not only the beauty created by wind and water, but also the greatness of nature. Inawashiro Town Tenjin Beach (Tenjin Beach Auto Camping Ground) and the area around Konan Town Hamaji Beach are some of the best viewing spots. If the conditions are good, you can see spray ice, so visit to see it. Don’t forget to get warm around the lake because it is very cold.

Date & Time	Depends on the weather.
Address	Tenjin Beach Auto Camping Ground: Yonhyakugari, Nakakomatsu, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture Around Konan Town Hamaji Beach: 2 Tadanokoshi, Otsuki-cho, Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	Tenjin Beach Auto Camping Ground: 25 min. by car from Aizu Wakamatsu Washington Hotel / 40 min. by car from Koriyama Washington Hotel Around Konan Town Hamaji Beach: 40 min. by car from Aizu Wakamatsu Washington Hotel / 40 min. by car from Koriyama Washington Hotel

Ohshi village, colorful roofs along the Tadami River.

Ohshi Village in Kanayama Town, Fukushima Prefecture, is a village that retains a traditional atmosphere. The scenery of colorful roofs along the Tadami River is very beautiful and is known as one of the most scenic spots in Fukushima Prefecture. If you visit during the snowy season, the colorful rooftops are very photogenic against the surrounding snowy landscape. It is sometimes called the “Switzerland in Japan” because of its similarity to the scenery of Lake Geneva and the lakeside town of Hallstatt in Switzerland. If you want to capture this  view in your photos, we recommend “Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba”, a view point in Okuaizu. This spot is popular among train lovers as it offers a view of the Daishi village and the JR Tadami Line running next to it at the same time. Enjoy the view as if you are in a fairy tale, surrounded by a world of white and silver.

Address	Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba: Kawaguchi, Kanayama-cho, Onuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba: 50 min. by car from Aizu Wakamatsu Washington Hotel
URL	https://www.town.kaneyama.fukushima.jp/site/kanko/hureaihiroba.html

Aizu Picture Candle Festival in Tsurugajo, candles twinkle in the snow!

Aizu Picture Candles, one of Aizu’s traditional handicrafts, are made by craftsmen who colorfully depict seasonal flowers such as chrysanthemums and peonies on each candle. When lit, the flowers shimmer beautifully in the faint glow of the light. The Aizu Picture Candle Festival was started to promote this traditional craft, and candlelight nights are held at Tsurugajo Castle and other locations in the city to light 10,000 candles over a two-day period. The festival offers a fantastic sight of colorful flowers blooming by candlelight in the snowy landscape. Each venue offers a different view, so it is recommended to enjoy a night walk in the mystical light and visit each location. At Tsurugajo Castle, you can even climb up to the castle tower at night to enjoy the view from above.

Date: February 9th and 10th, 2024
*Photographs are from a previous event held at the same location and may differ from the 2024 event.

Address	Tsurugajo Castle: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	Tsurugajo Castle: 8 min. by car from Aizu Wakamatsu Washington Hotel
URL	https://www.aizu.com/erousoku/