Fukushima II

My body was still aching from the breaking sesh the other day but I got up to start the day. It was going to be a long journey.

I took a train from Koriyama to Aizu-Wakamatsu but I wanted to stop by Lake Inawashiro first so I went down Joko Station and took a much-needed walk in nature. Despite being summer, the temperatures today were very cool and it made for a pleasant walk that took me across farmlands, surrounded by mountains, with the buzzing of cicadas and the gentle caress of the breeze following me along the way.

I got to the lakeside and ate breakfast here while appreciating its view before continuing on to Shidagahama beach. A bit more crowded than expected so it wasn't my cup of tea. I proceeded to walk to Sekito station but not before a temple caught my eye. It was a strange temple filled with these hangers made up of children's toys.

I got some lunch and ate by Sekito station, waiting for the train that took me to Yunokami Onsen. From there, I hailed a cab going towards Ouchi Juku, a preserved Edo period postal town. The driver, Yamaguchi-san, was a bit talkative and made jolly conversation throughout and gave me the phone number to call him when I needed to go back.

I walked under the smeltering sun while appreciating the thatched roofs houses that lined up both sides of the street. I particularly enjoyed the cool stream by the side which made for a great way to cool down from the heat. I couldn't resist getting an ice cream as well. I took a side trip to Takakura Shrine which was tucked inside a forest, away from the main streets so there wasn't anyone in this part of town. I continued forward until I reached the overlook which gave the best views of the village. From there, I started to head back until I saw a restaurant that was sort of empty. I thought it was a good time to try out the negi soba that Yamaguchi-san had recommended to me.

Strangely enough, the negi soba here uses an actual green onion stick as the chopstick. It was amusing because you were supposed to get some noodles with the negi and chown down on both. These edible chopsticks were really sustainable! I called the taxi company once again to catch a ride back to the station where I was just in time to catch another train going to To no Hetsuri, the last place for the day.

The place was another interesting spot I found accidentally while exploring Google Maps. They were these strange rock formations that were formed a long time ago. There was a suspension bridge heading to the other side where there were caves and a shrine inside. I went back to the overlook and grabbed another ice cream before calling it a day and catching a train back to Koriyama.Læs mere