【3-Hour Course】The Combination Is Up to You! Enjoy Shirakawa City’s Gourmet, History, and Entertainment.
This three-hour course is the one most used by travelers. This is a plan that can be used flexibly, great for anyone who wants to visit a variety of sightseeing spots efficiently or combine a tour with their trip to Fukushima or Sendai. In this course, there will be approximately 6~8 destinations.
By taking into account the distance between the spots and adjusting how much time you spend at each place, you can visit a lot of sightseeing spots efficiently. Also, if you choose a fewer number of destinations, you'll be able to visit some tourist areas that are a little further away.
Without leaving anything out, you can enjoy a variety of genres of tourism, including sightseeing spots related to the history of Shirakawa City, entertainment, local specialty ramen, and more.
●Price: JPY 21,000 (three hours) ●Contents: These destinations are just one example of the three-hour course. You can discuss with your driver where you would like to visit on the day of your tour.
- 1Shirakawa Barrier Site
The Shirakawa Barrier Site in Hatajuku, Shirakawa City, is the remains of a checking station that was placed at the entrance to the Mutsu Province along the ancient Tosando Route. The Shirakawa Barrier, which lost its functionality along with the decline of the *ritsuryo* governing system, later became a place of admiration for cultural figures from the urban areas, eventually becoming known as a place for *waka* poetry. Surrounding the barrier site are a number of giant trees, including an 800-year-old cedar, which create an ambiance of longevity. - 2Nanko Jinja Shrine
Nanko Jinja Shrine is enshrined in Nanko Koen Park in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to Matsudaira Sadanobu, who was a feudal lord of the Shirakawa domain. The Nanko Shrine Museum is also located on the shrine grounds, and here one can find items that once belonged to Matsudaira as well as a collection of documents by Shibusawa Eiichi. The shrine is said to provide blessings for marriage, and it is known also as a popular spot to see cherry blossoms. - 3Nanko Koen ParkNanko Koen Park in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a Japanese *teien* park that was constructed in 1801 by Matsudaira Sadanobu, a Shirakawa feudal lord. The park is surrounded by the hills of a number of mountains, and from it one can look out on Mt. Sekisan in the southeast and the Nasu Mountains far off to the west. Nanko Koen Park was created to be a place where anyone can relax, regardless of social status. It is considered one of the first modern parks, and it is often referred to as Japan's oldest park. In the park is also a tearoom called Kyorakutei, said to have been built for the enjoyment of the common people. There are several popular photography spots within the park, such as Nanko Jinja Shrine and Suirakuen Garden, and the grounds are dotted with any number of monuments and stone slabs with *haiku* and *tanka* inscriptions.
- 4Kashima Jinja Shrine
Kashima Jinja Shrine is located in Kashima, about two kilometers southeast of Shirakawa Station. The Shirakawa Lantern Festival is held here, and it is counted as one of the Three Great Lantern Festivals of Japan (Shirakawa, Yahiko, Isshoku). During the festival, around 120,000 tourists come to visit from nearby prefectures. 16 stone *komainu* guardian lion-dogs dot the shrine grounds, and it is popular for visitors to do *komainu-meguri* and go around to see all 16 of the statues. Additionally, about a three-minute walk from the shrine there is an *iwakura* deity dwelling and a sacred tree, leading the area to be known as a power spot. - 5Daruma Land
Daruma Land in Shirakawa City is an experience-based entertainment facility dealing mainly in Shirakawa *daruma* dolls, a traditional handicraft of Fukushima Prefecture. The facility was built by relocating and reforming five buildings, including historical structures and one building that is over 150 years old. The establishment itself is separated into six areas, and it includes things like a Shirakawa *daruma* manufacturing process factory observation and exhibit area, a workshop that combines painting experiences and virtual factory tours, a *daruma* shrine where visitors can pray for success, *daruma*-themed attractions, and a souvenir shop planned and developed in collaboration with local businesses. The facility as a whole is designed so that visitors can enjoy a variety of things all together in one space. - 6Tea Room Takayama
Tea Room Takayama is an old-fashioned café located right next to Shin-Shirakawa Station. After exiting the station, just go a little to the right and you'll be able to see the Nordic-style building. There is a fireplace in the center of the room where visitors can feel the warmth of the wood, and the wooden interior creates a relaxing atmosphere. In addition to coffee, the carefully-made homemade desserts are also popular with patrons. There is also a select shop set up inside which offers imported clothes and accessories.
