Goshikinuma

A World of Water and Colors Bathed in Autumn Foliage

Emerald green, cobalt blue, reddish brown… the shimmering colors of Goshikinuma, a mystical group of ponds in the Urabandai area of northwest Fukushima, make it one of the region’s most iconic natural sights. These ponds were created by the 1888 steam eruption of Mount Bandai. When the volcano collapsed, a massive landslide dammed the local rivers, forming hundreds of lakes and ponds across the area. Their strikingly varied colors earned them the name “Goshikinuma,” meaning “Five-Colored Ponds,” and they have since become a must-see destination in Urabandai.

Among the most famous ponds are Bishamon-numa and Benten-numa. Despite the name “Five Colors,” there are not literally five ponds—each pond displays a different hue, from emerald green to cobalt blue to earthy red. The colors shift depending on volcanic minerals in the water, as well as the season, weather, and angle of sunlight, offering a new expression every time you visit.

Mist Phantom Gorge and Tadami Line Photography Spots

A special experience that feels like stepping back in time into Japan’s traditional countryside

The Mugenkyo-no-Watashi (Mugenkyo Ferry) is a small hand-rowed boat that crosses the Tadami River in Oku-Aizu, Fukushima. It operates from late April to mid-November and takes visitors to the abandoned Mitsunashi settlement in Kaneyama Town, which was deserted around 50 years ago.From June to August, early mornings and evenings are often covered in thick mist, creating a dreamlike scene that feels as if you have stepped into another world.

This traditional ferry, once used as everyday transportation by local villagers, has been revived for visitors. The slow journey across the calm river—without engine noise—offers a rare chance to experience the untouched rural beauty of Japan.

Ouchi-juku

An Edo-Era Post Town Connecting Travelers

Ouchi-juku is a historic post town in Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture. It flourished during the Edo period as a stop along the Aizu Nishi Kaido, the route connecting Aizuwakamatsu and Nikko, with roots that some say stretch back to the Kamakura period. Today, around 30 thatched-roof traditional houses line the streets, preserving the town’s historic appearance. In 1981, Ouchi-juku was designated a “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings” by the Japanese government, and it now attracts roughly 800,000 visitors annually.

Local residents follow three guiding principles—“Do not sell, do not rent, do not destroy”—to maintain and restore the thatched roofs, preserving over 400 years of traditional scenery.