"Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima" Fukushima-ken by genki44

Fukushima is a state located North of Tokyo, 4 hours by bus. The Western part of the state borders the Pacific Ocean, and there is a large beautiful lake called Lake Inawashiro and many, many mountains.... (75% of Japan is mountains!)

I took the bus when I traveled to Tokyo from Fukushima, as it was less expensive and provided more beautiful scenery than the train. Aizuwakamatsu is a beautiful country-side small city where I called home for a year, and it was where many people created beautiful and unique handicrafts, or testsukuri....

Traditional "tetsukuri" (arts and crafts) abound, including hand made laquerware, pottery, and more! Craftmaking in Fukushima has a long history that has been passed down through the generations. For example, my good friend Keiko's father presented me with beautiful laquerwarebowls that he made in his garage. Laquerware is made from tree sap and other natural materials. Most handicrafts made in Japan use natural materials.

Erosoku, or candle making is also very beautiful. My friend Ekuko worked in a shop where an older man worked all day long making candles in the backroom. We visited and were able to watch him making the delicate white candles with brightly colored flowers on them.

This prefecture's (state's) official website is:

http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/index_e.html

shinputai style of ikebana

While I am on the topic of Ikebana and traditional handicrafts in Japan, one of the oldest and most beautiful is the art of flower arranging, or ikebana.

http://www.city.aizuwakamatsu.fukushima.jp/e/kanko/w_c/w_c060.htm

October 4-6 in Nihonmatsu, Fukusima there is a very popular lantern festival. This festival has a tradition of 350 years and is one of the three largest lantern festivals in Japan. It lasts for 3 days.

This beautiful event entails a parade of very tall festival floats made of paper lanterns, which are pushed and pulled up and down steep hills by young men who scream and yell cheerfully throughout their arduous task.

To get to Nihonmatsu, Fukushima take the JR Tohoku Line to Nihonmatsu Station.
Tohoku Expressway Nihonmatsu IC.
http://www.city.nihonmatsu.fukushima.jp/