Inawashiro, Fukushima
Tenkyodai An Aizu souvenir in my hands on a cherry-lined path
Tenkyodai–Showa no Mori is a park spreading along Mount Bandai’s southern foothills. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in early May. This time, I’d like a break on the cherry-lined path, looking at the little akabeko I brought from Aizu too.
This time, an early-May morning walk with cherry blossoms and Mount Bandai. The akabeko is something I brought from Aizu. Looking from my hands to the scenery, I’d like to add more memories to the trip.
SpringA morning in early May
An akabeko’s head sways on the cherry-lined path
One morning in early May, I stopped on Tenkyodai’s cherry-lined path. Mount Bandai, visible beyond the flowers, still had white snow. Spring in front of me, the remnants of winter on the mountain. I was happy to see both.
I’d come with my driving friend today and also brought the akabeko I’d chosen during a trip to Aizu. Resting it in both hands, I could see white and black patterns on its red body. Just adjusting my hands made its head sway, drawing my eyes to its face.
“Its moving head is so cute,” my friend said. Even when my hands stopped, the akabeko’s head kept swaying a little longer. A moment ago, I’d been watching the mountain; now I couldn’t look away from the tiny souvenir in my hands.
Looking up, I found cherry trees along both sides of the path. Blossoms continued around the bend, making me look forward to the walk ahead. Still holding the akabeko before my chest, I looked from the distant trees to Mount Bandai in turn.
Apparently some of these cherry trees were planted for the tree-planting festival in 1970. Since being planted, they’d welcomed so many springs here. Seeing them with the Aizu souvenir in my hands added something about this place to my travel memories.
“Shall we walk a little farther?” my friend asked. Before putting the akabeko away, I looked at its face once more. I’d come for flowers and mountains, with something I loved in my hands too. Today I wanted to take my time walking this cherry-lined path before leaving.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Aizu akabeko
An Aizu papier-mâché craft in the shape of a red cow. Looking at its little body and swaying head makes me fond even of the memory of choosing it during a trip.
Highlights
Cherry-lined paths and Mount Bandai
Tenkyodai lies at Bandai’s southern foot. In early May, I’d like to look at the mountain beyond the rows of cherry trees.
Cherries from the tree-planting festival
Some cherry trees were planted during the National Tree-Planting Festival in May 1970. The planted trees have welcomed spring in this park again and again.
The trip to Tenkyodai
The road to Tenkyodai and Showa no Mori
- By car from Okinashima Station
- About 15 minutes
- Plateau elevation
- 720〜850m
To Tenkyodai at Bandai’s southern foothills. I’d like to leave the car in the park’s car park and walk the cherry-lined paths.
On this walk, I’ve also brought an akabeko from Aizu. After the flowers, I’d like to turn my eyes to the little souvenir in my hands too.
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