Iwaki, Japan
Region: Fukushima Prefecture
Geographic Coordinates: 37.050500, 140.888000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 336111
Language: Japanese
Iwaki is a city located in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan, On the eastern coast of Honshu Island. With a population of approximately 340, 000 people and covering an area of 1, 231 square kilometers, Iwaki is known for its beautiful natural scenery, Rich culture and history, And delicious cuisine. One of Iwaki’s main attractions is its stunning coastline which boasts over 50 kilometers of sandy beaches perfect for swimming or surfing. Popular beaches include Onahama Beach, Nakoso Beach and Izumi Beach which offer various water sports activities such as jet skiing and banana boating.
Iwaki also has a rich cultural heritage that can be traced back to ancient times. One such example is Shiramizu Amidado Temple which dates back to 1160 AD and features stunning architecture that combines both Japanese and Chinese styles. Spa Resort Hawaiians offers visitors an opportunity to experience traditional Hawaiian culture through hula dancing performances as well as enjoy hot springs baths at their indoor water park. When it comes to food, Iwaki specializes in fresh seafood delicacies such as sea bream sashimi or grilled mackerel at one of the many restaurants dotted along the coastline.
Iwaki hosts several festivals throughout the year including Hanamiyama Park Cherry Blossom Festival held every spring where visitors can view over 20 varieties of cherry blossoms blooming across more than six hectares area. Despite being affected by major earthquakes (such as Great East Japan Earthquake) resulting in tsunami waves hitting parts of its coastal areas causing damage especially on March 11th , 2011; Iwaki has managed to rebuild itself into a thriving city once again.
Iwaki is definitely worth visiting for those who want to experience the true essence of Japan’s coastal regions with its unique blend of natural beauty, Rich culture and history, Delicious cuisine and exciting festivals.
- Aquamarine Fukushima
- Spa Resort Hawaiians
- Shiramizu Amidado Temple
- Iwaki City Coal and Fossil Museum
- Nakoso Beach
- Iwaki Yumoto Onsen
- Hanamiyama Park
- Koori no Shima Island
- Genbikei Gorge
- Tadami River Boat Tour
- Manufacturing – Iwaki is home to several manufacturing companies that produce electronic components, machinery, and automotive parts.
- Tourism – Iwaki has several tourist attractions such as the Aquamarine Fukushima aquarium, Taira no Kiyomori historical park, and Spa Resort Hawaiians.
- Agriculture and Fisheries – The city is known for its production of rice, vegetables, fruits, and seafood like tuna and seaweed.
- Energy – Iwaki hosts the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that was damaged during the 2011 earthquake disaster.
- Healthcare – There are several hospitals and medical facilities in the city providing healthcare services to residents and visitors alike.
- The Battle of Sekigahara (1600): This battle took place in the vicinity of Iwaki and was one of the most significant battles in Japanese history. It marked the end of a long period of civil war and established Tokugawa Ieyasu as the ruler of Japan.
- Matsudaira Sadanobu: He was a prominent politician during the Edo period who served as chief advisor to several shoguns. He was born in Iwaki and is considered one of its most famous sons.
- The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011): This catastrophic event occurred when an earthquake and tsunami damaged a nuclear power plant near Iwaki, leading to widespread radiation contamination.
- Nakamura Shikan IV: He was a famous kabuki actor who spent much of his career performing at the Nakamura-za theater in Iwaki.
- Taira no Masakado: He was a legendary samurai who rebelled against imperial authority during the 10th century and is said to have been buried in Iwaki after his defeat.
- The Battle of Soma-Nomaoi (16th century onwards): This annual festival involves horse racing, archery, and other traditional activities that commemorate battles fought by samurai clans in northern Japan, including those from Iwaki.
- Kuroiso Hikokuro: He was an artist known for his woodblock prints depicting scenes from everyday life in Edo-era Japan, many of which feature landscapes or people from around Iwaki where he lived for some time.
- The Great East Japan Earthquake (2011): This earthquake struck off the coast near Fukushima Prefecture causing widespread damage across northern Japan including areas around Iwaki city which suffered significant damage from both quake itself as well as subsequent tsunami.
- Iwaki City Art Museum showcases modern and contemporary art from Japanese and international artists.
- Spa Resort Hawaiians is a theme park with hot springs, water slides, and traditional Polynesian dance performances.
- Aquamarine Fukushima is an aquarium featuring marine life found in the waters surrounding Fukushima Prefecture.
- Iwaki Castle is a reconstructed castle from the Edo period with beautiful views of the city from its observation deck.
- Nakoso Beach is a popular beach destination with clear waters and white sand for swimming or relaxing on the shore.
- Taira no Kiyomori Memorial Museum is dedicated to Taira no Kiyomori, a powerful samurai lord who lived during the Heian period.
- Shiramizu Amida Temple is a historic temple dating back to the 9th century known for its impressive architecture and beautiful gardens.
- Takayama Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located on a hilltop with stunning views of Iwaki City below.
- Hanamiyama Park offers breathtaking views of surrounding mountains and countryside, known for its cherry blossom trees that bloom in springtime.
- Joban Kosanji Temple Museum Complex features replicas of famous temples from around Japan, beautiful gardens, and scenic walking trails.
- Iwaki Yosakoi Festival is a traditional dance festival that takes place in August, featuring more than 100 teams from all over Japan.
- Iwaki Taira Tulip Festival is a spring festival held in April and May, showcasing thousands of tulips in full bloom.
- Iwaki Furusato Matsuri is a cultural festival held every September, featuring traditional food, music, and dance performances.
- Soma Nomaoi is a historic horse racing festival held annually in July or August that dates back to the Edo period.
- Iwaki Hula Festival is an annual event that celebrates Hawaiian culture with hula dancing performances and workshops.
- Nakoso Matsuri is a summer festival that takes place on the beach with fireworks displays and water sports competitions.
- Asaka Green Park Summer Festa is an outdoor music festival featuring popular Japanese musicians and bands during the summer months.
- Iwaki Jazz Street Festival is an annual jazz music event held every November, showcasing local jazz musicians as well as international performers from around the world.
Food in Iwaki
- Iwaki beef: This high-quality beef is known for its marbling and tenderness, and can be found at local yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurants.
- Soba noodles: Iwaki is famous for its soba noodles made from locally grown buckwheat, which can be enjoyed at traditional soba restaurants.
- Seafood: As a coastal city, Iwaki offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes such as sashimi (raw fish), grilled fish, and sushi.
- Miso soup: Iwaki is also known for its miso soup made with locally produced miso paste and fresh ingredients like tofu and seaweed.
Popular Restaurants in Iwaki
- Yakiniku Kuroge Wagyuya specializes in high-quality wagyu beef from the Fukushima region.
- Soba-no-kiyomiya is a traditional soba restaurant that serves handmade soba noodles using locally sourced buckwheat flour.
- Tsukiji Shokudo Hinata is a seafood restaurant that offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and grilled fish.
- Miso Ramen Jirocho serves a unique miso-based broth with thick noodles topped with pork belly and other toppings at this ramen shop.
- Izakaya Koyama Shoten offers a wide range of Japanese dishes such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), tempura, sashimi paired with sake or beer at this izakaya (Japanese pub).
- Spa Resort Hawaiians: a hot spring resort with water slides, pools, and cultural shows.
- Iwaki City Flower Centre: a park with various flowers and plants.
- Shiramizu Amida Temple Park: a park with a temple and cherry blossom trees.
- Nakoso Beach: a popular beach for swimming and water sports.
- Iwaki Marine Tower: an observation tower overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- Spa Resort Hawaiians Snow Park: a winter sports park with skiing and snowboarding activities.
- Iwaki Yumoto Onsen Area: an area known for its hot springs.
- Joban Kosodate Village: an amusement park with rides, games, and activities for families.
- Mizusawa Park- A large public park in the city center of Iwaki
- Iwaki City Culture Center- A cultural center that hosts various events such as concerts, plays, exhibitions etc.
