Shin-Shirakawa Station (新白河駅)
Station Type: Transport interchange
Shin-Shirakawa Station is a Tohoku Shinkansen station located in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. The surrounding area is rich in natural sights and historical buildings, and is a favorite destination for many tourists.
First, within walking distance from the station is the Shirakawa City Tourism and Product Center “Shirakawa Plaza,” a facility that offers a wide variety of specialty products and souvenirs from Fukushima Prefecture, ranging from food to crafts. Visitors can also learn about the history and culture of Shirakawa at the adjacent Shirakawa City History and Folklore Museum.
Next, the Shirakawa Astronomical Observatory, located about 30 minutes by car from the station, provides an ideal environment for stargazing and hosts stargazing events and workshops. Also in Shirakawa City are the ruins of a mountain castle called “Komine Castle Ruins,” which can be climbed on foot. From the top of the mountain, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Shirakawa City and the surrounding mountains.
Furthermore, the Shirakawa Daruma Village, located about 40 minutes by car from the station, is a production site of Shirakawa Daruma dolls known throughout Japan, and displays a variety of Shirakawa Daruma dolls of all sizes. There are also workshops where visitors can make their own Daruma dolls.
Here we introduce some of the gourmet restaurants near the station. Kanamori Shoten” in front of Shin-Shirakawa Station serves “Gomoku Soba”, a famous dish in Fukushima Prefecture, and is well-loved by the locals. Also, “Nagashimaya” is a restaurant that offers Japanese cuisine using local ingredients.
Restaurants, Foods
Some restaurants and food shops around the station.
Hananomai (海鮮居酒屋 はなの舞 新白河駅東口店)
Restaurant Type: Izakaya restaurant
Noodle Shop Shinshirakawa (麺処新白河)
Restaurant Type: Noodle Restaurant
ぎょうざ登・ＮＯＢＯＲＵ (ぎょうざ登・ＮＯＢＯＲＵ)
Restaurant Type: Chinese takeaway
Tourist area
Some tourist area – the best views, museums and parks – around the station.
Nanko Park (南湖公園)
Tourist Area Type: Scenic spot
Nanko Park is an urban park (scenic park) located in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is said to be the oldest park in Japan, and was designated as a national historic site and a place of scenic beauty on December 9, 1924. The surrounding area is also designated as Minamiko Prefectural Natural Park.
Nan-ko dango, sold at various eateries in the vicinity of Nan-ko Shrine, are basically pounded with a pestle like rice cakes. There are two basic flavors: azuki bean paste and mitarashi, but each store has a slightly different flavor, so it is fun to compare and find the one you like best. Soba dango” sold at Kohan-tei is also a well-known specialty.
Lamp Cafe is a retro Western-style café that occupies the first floor of the Meiji Kinenkan (Meiji Memorial Hall), which was originally built in 1883 as the Nishi-Shirakawa County government office and then moved and restored in Minamiko Park. In addition, there is a Japanese garden, Suiraku, located in the city. Matcha green tea and fresh sweets are served in the Shorakutei building in the municipal Japanese garden, Suirakuen.
Joyama Park (城山公園)
Tourist Area Type: Park
Parts of the Honmaru and Ninomaru of Shirakawa Komine Castle (Shirakawa Komine Castle) remain in Shiroyama Park. Shirakawa Komine Castle (白河小峰城) was a Japanese castle located in Shirakawa City (Mutsu Province, Shirakawa County), Fukushima Prefecture. Although the ruins of Shirakawa Castle also exist in the city, the name Shirakawa Komine Castle has long been used to refer to the castle in the local area. It is designated as a national historic site.
Suirakuen (翠楽苑)
Tourist Area Type: Garden
Suirakuen is a circular garden located in a corner of Minamiko Park in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. This Japanese garden covers an area of 24,700 m2, with a pond in the center and a walking path (10 minutes per lap) around the pond. The garden is surrounded by 4,000 trees of 59 species, including red pines and maples, and visitors can enjoy the seasonal flowers and autumn leaves. Shorakutei Pavilion and Shusui-an Tea House are located facing the pond. Visitors can enter the Shorakutei with a tea ceremony ticket and enjoy powdered green tea and refreshments. In addition to the grand tea ceremony hosted by the head of the tea ceremony, there are also evening events such as a lantern tea ceremony in August and moon-viewing parties in September and October. Against the pine forest of Kagamiyama, trees such as maple trees and pine trees, wildflowers, and lotus and water lilies donated by Kuwana City, a friendship city, are planted. The pond in the park is inhabited by the Japanese sand lance and the white-fronted sand lance.
Shirakawa Flower World (白河フラワーワールド)
Tourist Area Type: Botanical garden
Shirakawa Flower World is a flower garden adjacent to Minamiko Park, with 100,000 tulips in April and 30,000 plants in May, the only one in the Tohoku region. The garden offers a colorful array of seasonal flowers, including German iris, and visitors can purchase flowers of their choice in the garden.
Hotels
There are various hotels around the station.
Hotel Route Inn Shinshirakawa-eki Higashi (ホテルルートイン新白河駅東)
Toyoko INN Shin-Shirakawa Station (東横INN新白河駅前)
Toyoko INN Shin-Shirakawa Station (東横INN新白河駅前)
Convenience Stores, Grocery Stores
Stores for foods, drinks and others.
Tourist Information Center
Tourist information centers inside/around the station.
Shinshirakawakoikikankorenmei Information Centre (新白河広域観光連盟観光案内所)
Have a nice visit !
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