The Guide to Iwaki Day Trip for Experience Fukushima’s Nature, History and Seafood

Located in the southeastern part of Fukushima Prefecture, “Iwaki City” is the largest area in this prefecture. The eastern side faces the Pacific Ocean, and the western side has the Abukuma Mountains where there are mountains with an altitude of 800 meters. In other words, this city is rich in nature. In addition, it also has lots of spots with over 1,000 years of history, including Shiramizu Amidado Temple which is Fukushima’s only national treasure. This time, we selected 3 spots where you can be healed by things created by nature and history, around Iwaki Station. Why not visit a museum fusing nature and art, Iwaki’s oldest shrine and a restaurant allowing you to savor Iwaki’s various seafood at once?

You can get to all of the spot by bus or on foot from Iwaki Station.

Feel like jumping into the peaceful countryside view by going on the swing －”Snake Museum of Contemporary Art” with a fusion of art & nature

“Snake Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA, いわき回廊美術館)” is in a woodland close to the village where volunteers are aiming to plant 99,000 cherry blossom trees to pass on the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear accident to posterity. It was produced by the world’s famous contemporary artist ‘Cai Guo-Qiang’ who served as the artistic director at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The corridor with a length of 99 meters expresses a dragon climbing a mountain and is all hand made. Various artworks are exhibited, such as paintings drawn by children living in this area. Besides, there is a treehouse, so you will feel as if you’re in a secret base. Especially, the highlight is a tree swing located on the edge of a cliff. Playing on a swing, you’re sure to feel like jumping into the peaceful countryside view.

Opening Hours	From dawn to sunset
Address	7 Chisosaku, Tairanakakabeya, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 12-minute walk from Nakakabeya Bus Stop where it takes 10 minutes by bus from Iwaki Station
URL	https://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/spot/10026

The spiritual spot bringing various lucky for from success of your business to matchmaking －Iwaki’s oldest and tangible cultural property “Okunitama Shrine”

“Okunitama Shrine (大国魂神社)” is one of 7 Iwaki’s major shrines. Although the year of its foundation is not clear, it’s said to be the oldest shrine in Iwaki because of the ruins of ancient burial mounds and the large cedar tree that is about 1,000 years old. By the way, the main hall was built in 1679 and registered as a tangible cultural property of this city. It is decorated with dragon gravings and has an imposing presence. Four gods are enshrined in the precincts, so it’s believed that visitors can get various lucky just by going around here. In particular, this shrine is famous for matchmaking, harmony between married couples and so on.

Opening Hours	6:00AM – 4:30PM
Address	54 Miyamae, Tairasuginami, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Okunitamajinja Iriguchi Bus Stop where it takes 15 minutes by bus from Iwaki Station
URL	http://xn--t8jap8dxc4f.jp/

Addicted to a chewy texture and umami －”Sushi Tamura” offering a great variety of fresh seafood caught in Iwaki’s Ocean

After enjoying a walk, head to “Sushi Tamura (すし田村)” to have lunch. In space with a calm and very Japanese ambiance, you can savor fresh seafood caught in the sea near Iwaki. A great variety of juicy seafood is lined up inside a glass case on the counter seats. Not to mention Sushi, they also offer Sashimi, Tempura and so on. Our recommendation is the rice bowl menu for lunch. If you want to try various kinds of seafood at once, you should order ‘Chirashi (ちらし).’ It makes you experience different tastes. Let’s fill your stomach with the blessings of Iwaki’s sea!

Opening Hours	Lunch 11:30AM – 1:45 PM　Irregular Holiday
Address	14-16 Saizuchikoji, Taira, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 6-minute walk from Iwaki Station
URL	http://www.tamura-group.com/