Model Course

Model Course 1
Burari hot spring
town walk



This is a course that goes around the Tsuchiyu Onsen town.

Required time	About 1 hour ~
Distance	About 1.5km by foot
Equipment	You can use geta (traditional Japanese footwear)♪

Since it takes about an hour on foot, you can enjoy a walk in the town entirely.
You can take a walk at your own pace while taking a snack break or footbath time along the way, as well as visiting the highlights of the hot spring town.

Route

• START

  Yumebutai

• Viewpoint

  Observation plaza

• Photo point

  Giant kokeshi doll

• Highlight

  Historic site Rokujizo

• Viewpoimt

  Waterfall suspension bridge

• Recommended

  Waterfront park
  footbath “Tsuchiyukko”

• Highlight

  Shoutoku Prince Temple

• Highligh

  Yakushi Kokeshi Temple

• Yummy

  Nakaya`s store

• Recommended

  Yurakuza

• Yummy

  Café Moriyama

• Highligh

  Kumano Shrine

• Highligh

  Empress Masako’s poem inscription

• Yummy

  Restaurant

• GOAL

  Yumebutai

Route

• by foot

• START

  Yumebutai

  

  There are presented thousands of Kokeshi dolls from all 6 prefectures of Tohoku region.
  Here are also “Kokeshi painting experience” room and observation plaza.

  

• Observation plaza

  

  From here you can take a look on the wonderful landscape of the whole Tsuchiyu Onsen town.
  In a clear weather you can also see the Minowa Mountain.

  

• Giant kokeshi doll

  

  Here is situated one of three giant Tsuchiyu kokeshi dolls. It reaches 3 meters in height and weighs about 500 kg.
  In front of it is the “Kokeshi doll face panel”, which is a popular hidden photo point.

  

• Historic site Rokujizo

  

  It dedicated to Six Jizou who save people from the suffering of Rokudo. This monument was excavated by accident in 1972, after it was buried in the difficulty separation of Shinto from Buddhism. Opening ceremony was held in 1988 and it has become a new Rokujizo.。

  

• Waterfall suspension bridge

  

  This place is a healing point with plenty of negative ions, overlooking the beauty of valley of the Higashikarasu river – tributary of river Arakawa. There is erosion control dam in the back, and you can see the “Tsuchyu Onsen Higashikarasugawa Small Hydroelectric Power Plant” that uses the difference in elevation. It has been generating electricity since March 2015.

  

• Waterfront park footbath “Tsuchiyukko”

  

  You can enjoy a footbath while listening to the river's murmurs at “Tsuchiyukko” in the waterfront park along the Higashikarasu River. You can get cooling there during the hot summer.

  

• Shoutoku Prince Temple

  

  The current building was rebuilt in 1726. Inside the hall is a statue of Prince Shoutoku, a folk cultural property designated by Fukushima City.

  

• Yakushi Kokeshi Temple

  

  Yakushi Temple is dedicated to the Buddha of healing and medicine. It was devastated by the great flood in 1913, and then reconstructed in 1974 by the founder of the woodwork industry, closely related to making kokeshi dolls. It was rebuilt as a Yakushi Kokeshi Temple.

  

• Nakaya’s confectionary store

  

  This store is famous with traditional hot springs sweets called “manju”. A new product Dorayaki with different flavours is also very popular. Sold out attention!:)

  Business hours	8:30～17:00
  Regular holiday	Thursday

  

• Yurakuza (Tourism Association)

  

  On the 1st floor of the Tourism Association building discount tickets to hot springs are on sale. There are also a shop and restaurant.

  

• Café Moriyama

  

  "Yuan pudding" was born from the famous hot spring egg. Several types of pudding made with seasonal fruits are on sale. It is also a dog café, where you can came with your pet.

  

• Kumano Shrine

  

  The main shrine was dedicated to the guardian deity of the mountain and has been the object of the faith of the Tsuchiyu townsfolk who were engaged in forestry. It is a scenic spot called Tsuchiyu Hakkei. There are 8 spots in the hot spring town, and Kumano Shrine is one of them.

  

• Empress Masako’s poem inscription

  

  In 2012 on the annual event “Kyuchu Utakai Hajime” Empress Masako red the tanka poem dedicated to the flower Mizubasho (Japanese skunk cabbage), which she did saw during her visit of Tsuchiyu in 1996.

  

• Recommended lunchtime

  

  There are plenty restaurants in Tsuchiyu, where you can have a delicious meal.

  Click here to watch a list of Tsuchiyu restaurants→

  

• GOAL

  Yumebutai

  

  It was a great walk! We would be happy to see you again!

Model Course 2
Onuma and Menuma
Lakes hiking course



Enjoy the spring blossoming and autumn colorful leaves, feel the loveliness all of the four seasons during this course.

Distance	about３.5 hours
Distance	about 7 km
Equipment	suitable footwear for hiking, cold protection, rain gear, hat

You can enjoy this hiking course at any time of the year, whether it would be a spring flowers or an autumn leaves. This is a great idea to refresh your body and mind by long hiking journey through 3 lakes with fascinating scenery viewing.

Route

• START

  Departure at 9:00 from the Nidanuma Parking Lot

• Viewpoint

  Onuma lake

• Viewpoint

  Nidanuma lake

• Viewpoint

  Waterfall of Memories

• Viewpoint

  Menuma lake

• Photo point

  Azalea Mountain Park

• Nidanuma Parking Lot Arrival at 12:30

• Yummy

  Restaurant Hisago

• GOAL

  Get discounted bath ticketsin front of the Tourism Association

Route

• by foot
• by car

• Nidanuma Parking Lot

  departure at 9:00！
  You’re welcome！

  

• Onuma lake

  

  Forest is visible from the lakeshore. In autumn, you can feast your eyes on the scenery where the lake surface reflects the forest in the fall colors.

  

• Nidanuma lake’s

  

  In the vicinity of Nidanuma, you can find cluster of the Mizubasho and Katakuri flowers (Mid-April to early May).

  

• Waterfall of Memories

  

  Waterfall of Memories is awaiting for you. It is a place where are hidden the secret story of a princess and a young warrior. A cool breeze blows through and serves as a break point for exploring the dark green forest.

  

• Menuma lake

  

  Menuma lake is situated in 600m from the Waterfall of Memories. Some visitors come with a canoe in the spring, starting with the cherry and katakuri blossoms in April. You can enjoy the autumn leaves, the winter snow scene and the changing seasons.

  

• Azalea Park

  

  From mid-May to late May, thousands of blossoming azaleas are filling the mountains. From the park, you can see the Menuma lake and Azuma mountain range.

  

• Nidanuma Parking Lot

  departure is around 12:30

  

• Restaurant Hisago

  

  10 minutes from Nidanuma Parking Lot.
  The most popular item is "Yoshibari soba"! Freshly cooked buckwheat noodles made by the master is reputed to be a fragrant rich-tasted soba noodle.

  Business hours	11：30～14：00
  Regular holiday	Thursday

  

• GOAL

  Tsuchiyu Onsen Tourism Association

  

  Discount bathing tickets are on sale at the Tourism Association building. After hiking & lunch, take a classic hot spring bath! Let's heal your body with the warmth of the hot springs at the end of your trip.
  * The availability of bathing varies depending on the day. Please contact the reception.

Model Course 3
Walk around the
Maku Falls



This course goes around the power spot of healing at an altitude of 1,300m.

Required time	about 1 hour (Departing from Makukawa Onsen)
Distance	about 2km by foot
Equipment	suitable footwear for hiking, backpack, rain gear, bath towel

A majestic Maku Falls appears in front of the esplanade surrounded by plenty of green vegetation. When divine sunshine flow in the glade, you will feel the whole power of this place. After a walk, refresh yourself in the pure white sulfur spring! How about a healing trip to the Tsuchiyu Onsen village?Note: The esplanade is closed from mid-November to early April.

Route

• START

  Fukushima West Interchange IC
  Departure
  at 9：00 (by car)

• Makukawa Onsen
  joint parking lot

• Viewpoint

  Maku Falls esplanade
  balance bridge

• Viewpoint

  Maku Falls

• Arrive at the Makukawa Onsen
  joint parking lot
  around 11:00

• Take a bath

  Makukawa Onsen

• Recommended

  Tsuchiyu road station

• GOAL

  Arrive at the Fukushima West Interchange IC around 15：00

Route

• by foot
• by car

• START

  Fukushima West Interchange IC

  Departure at 9：00
  Let’s go!

  

• Makukawa Onsen joint parking lot

  It is free of charge.

  

• Maku Falls esplanade balance bridge

  

  It is a small bridge located in the area surrounded by the beech primeval forest. You can feel the loveliness of untouched nature.

  

• Maku Falls

  

  Water falls from a height of 30m. It’s looking fantastic when rainbow appears.

  

• Makukawa Onsen joint parking lot

  It is free of charge.

  

• Makukawa Onsen ”Mitoya Ryokan”

  

  This is a sulfur hot spring ryokan includes two open springs, four open-air baths, two indoor baths, an open-air bath which is 800 years old, and a cloudy mountain stream open-air bath.
  *Price: 500 yen per person
  *Closed during winter season from mid-November to mid-April

  

• Makukawa Onsen “Yoshikurayua Ryokan”

  

  The indoor bath is made of Japanese cypress and effective for healing neuralgia and gastrointestinal diseases. Take a rest in the open-air bath with a view of the beech forest.
  *Price: 500 yen per person
  *Closed during winter season from mid-November to mid-April

  

• Tsuchiyu road station

  

  This is the first road station opened in Fukushima Prefecture. Overlooking the Azuma mountain range, this is a spot for drivers to relax. In recent years, it has become a mecca for many drivers.
  Discount bathing tickets are also on sale.

  

• GOAL

  Arrive at the Fukushima West Interchange IC

  1around 15：00
  We did a great job! Thank you! We’d be glad to see you again!

Model Course 4
Fukushima round trip



Enjoy the charm of Fukushima while driving the Fruit Line and Bandai Azuma Skyline

Required time	2 days and 1 night
Distance	about 70km by car
Equipment	suitable clothing for season

This is one of the courses which definitely recommended during your visit to Fukushima. Hunting fruit in the tourist orchards (cherries, peaches, pears, grapes, apples), tour on the hot springs Takayu and Tsuchiyu which are hidden in white clouds of steam, Bandai Azuma skyline drive running in the mountains and the charm of Fukushima anytime from spring to autumn. You’ll get the full experience of being in Fukushima! Note: The Bandai Azuma Skyline is closed from mid-November to early April.

1st day route

• START

  Fukushima West Interchange
  IC Departure
  at 9：00

• Recommended

  Fruit picking

• Viewpoint

  Bandai Azuma Skyline

• Viewpoint

  Azuma Kofuji Mountain

• Recommended

  Lunch in the Joudodaira Rest House

• Recommended

  Tsuchiyu road station

• Photo point

  Shonan lake’s biopark

• Tsuchiyu Onsen
  (night stay）

2nd day route

• Recommended

  Village of the Four Seasons (Kokeshi painting experience)

• Recommended

  Anna’s garden

• Recommended

  Azuma store

• GOAL

  Arrive at the Fukushima West Interchange IC around 15：00

Day 1

• by foot
• by car

Day 1

• START

  Fukushima West Interchange IC

  9:00 departure! Let’s go!
  * Via the fruit line.

  

• Fruit picking

  

  There are orchards such as cherry, peach, and pear along Fukushima Prefectural Route 5, commonly known as “Fruit Line”, where you can experience picking of seasonal fruits from June to November. Harvested fruits are available on the spot.

  

• Bandai Azuma Skyline

  

  A road that runs through the sky, with a total length about 29km and a maximum altitude of 1,622m, linking Takayu Onsen and Tsuchiyu Pass. The landscape of whole Fukushima city spreads out before your eyes. It has been selected as one of the 100 best roads in Japan and offers a variety of scenery from the “Snow Corridor” in spring to the autumn leaves.

  

• Azuma Kofuji Mt.

  

  When the peach blossoms starting bloom in the Fukushima City, a residual snow image of a “seeding rabbit” appears on a mountain surface. It is a signal that spring has come. When shape of the rabbit’s ears becomes clearer, it means that you’re able to feel all charms of the mountain climbing.
  Note: The Bandai Azuma Skyline is closed from mid-November to early April.

  

• Joudodaira Rest House

  

  An astronomical observatory and esplanade at the mountain sightseeing based in the middle of the Bandai Azuma Skyline.
  You can enjoy special products from Fukushima and special menu made with seasonal ingredients.

  

• Tsuchiyu road station

  

  First opened road station in the Fukushima Prefecture. It is located at the junction between Tsuchiyu pass (in direction of Inawashiro) and Dake Onsen (in direction of Nihonmatsu).
  From the observation deck, you can see the deep green that spreads out at the foot of Mt. Adatara.

  

• Shonan lake’s biopark

  

  This lake, full of water lilies and various species of dragonflies, is associated with paintings of the famous French artist Monet. It was a prefectural skate rink until the Showa 40's, but in recent years it has been protected and now is popular as a park where you can feast your eyes on the water flowers and insects.

  

• Tsuchiyu Onsen

  Click here to get list of Tsuchiyu Onsen accommodations→

Day 2

Day 2

• Village of the Four Seasons

  

  It is a rural park about 8ha area, covered with a garment of green grass. You can enjoy seasonal landscapes and traditional craft experiences between the blooming flowerbeds. Above all, the kokeshi painting experience allows you to take home your own designed kokeshi doll, produced under the guidance of an handicraftsman.
  Click here to learn more about Kokeshi painting→

  

• Anna’s Garden

  

  You can visit the Nishida Kokeshi Memorial Museum, where are displayed plenty of different kokeshi dolls. Also you can enjoy shopping in the souvenir store and taste refreshing cold beer in the craft beer hall.

  

• Azuma Store

  

  This shop directly managed by JA Fukushima Mirai. It is a lively agricultural fair where fresh local vegetables and fruits are lined up. You can purchase special local products at the direct sales offices, so you can buy them freshly and at a great price.

  

• GOAL

  Arrive at the Fukushima West Interchange IC

  1around 15：00
  We did a great job! Thank you! We’d be glad to see you again!