7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Kawamata Town, Fukushima Prefecture! Fully Enjoy the Silk Village!

About 20 km southeast of Fukushima City, nestled in the mountains of the Abukuma range, Kawamata Town has long flourished as the “Home of Silk.” Its high cultural standards are evident in attractions like the silk product brand “Kawamata Silk” and Japan’s largest folklore festival “Cosquín en Japón.”

Here are seven unmissable spots for Kawamata tourism—places where you can learn about silk at the Kawamata Silk Pia Roadside Station, visit the Hayama Forest Art Museum in a repurposed elementary school, stroll among some 150 Yoshino cherry trees in Central Park, and more. Use these ideas to plan your Kawamata itinerary!

1. “Michi‑no‑Eki Kawamata Silk Pia”

As Kawamata’s signature roadside station, Silk Pia comprises four facilities: the Weaving Exhibition Hall, the Karariko Weaving Experience Hall, the Kawamata Specialty Products Hall, and the Kocora Farm‑Direct Produce Market. It’s the ideal place to immerse yourself in Kawamata’s silk heritage.

While there, don’t miss tasting “Kawamata Shamo” chicken—Fukushima’s renowned premium breed. Enjoy it as “Shamo soba” on site, or purchase as a souvenir.

The Silk Pia shop also offers Kawamata Silk goods and local dairy products. It’s perfect for a snack break or a final souvenir stop.

2. Hayama Forest Art Museum

Housed in the renovated old Fukusawa Elementary School, this museum displays works by painters connected to Kawamata, set in a nostalgic school atmosphere. You’ll also find signed illustrations from popular manga artists—making it a favorite even among pop‑culture fans. A must‑visit for Kawamata tourists.

3. Chibikko Tengoku Hanazuka no Sato

On the slopes of Mt. Hanazuka, this park uses the natural terrain to great effect.

Families love its playground equipment—slides, rope climbs, and more—while birdwatchers and forest‑bathing enthusiasts enjoy the hiking trails, campground, and bungalows.

It also serves as the trailhead for Mt. Hanazuka’s famed “Flower View Route,” which connects to Tōge no Mori and the summit, offering panoramas of the Zao Mountains and the Pacific.

4. Tōge no Mori Nature Park

This comprehensive forest facility features campgrounds and woodland trails.

Its highlight is the soba‑making experience housed in a charming traditional building with a nearly 10 m waterwheel. It’s both photogenic and hands‑on—a delightful way to engage with nature and local cuisine.

5. Central Park

Located on a gentle hill in Kawamata Town, Central Park has become a place of relaxation for residents. It features a Japanese garden, an outdoor music pavilion, an azumaya (resting gazebo), and various other attractions, but the highlight is undoubtedly the Odehime Statue. This monument symbolizes Kawamata Town’s prosperity through sericulture and weaving—be sure to see it at least once as a memento of your visit to Fukushima.

Central Park is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. In spring, about 150 Somei Yoshino cherry trees burst into bloom, painting the upper slopes entirely pink. Its beauty is such that it’s called the “Hill of Youth,” and it will surely move your heart. Visiting during the cherry blossom season is highly recommended!

6. Hataori Shrine

Near Central Park’s Odehime statue stands Hataori Shrine, dedicated to Odehime—the legendary progenitor of weaving in Kawamata. Its grounds fill with cherry blossoms every April, as if celebrating her legacy. For spring visitors, it’s a picturesque complement to Central Park’s sakura.

7. Megami‑yama

Straddling Kawamata and Tsukidate towns at about 600 m elevation, Megami‑yama is an easy climb—ideal for beginners. Its rich flora includes katakuri flowers in season and the centuries‑old “Akiyama no Koma‑zakura” at its base, a cherry blossom over 400 years old. A rewarding summit with cultural and botanical treasures.

◎ Summary

Fukushima Prefecture, just 90 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo, has become a popular day‑trip destination. Kawamata Town is brimming with attractions, from the must‑see Michi‑no‑Eki Kawamata Silk Pia to the cherry‑blossom‑lined Central Park. If you seek a relaxing outing or a leisurely flower‑viewing spot this year, make Kawamata your next stop!

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