Watch as the clouds shift and you’ll see its appearance change right before your eyes. The lake is nicknamed goshiki numa, or “five color pond,” as it appears to change color depending on the angle it is viewed from and the way the light hits it. I recommend going early in the morning to avoid crowds and spending as much time as possible walking the trails and taking in the views. There are lots of hiking trails, and those looking for a more relaxed holiday can drive up to the lookout point. While the castle was fun, the highlight of my trip to the Shiroishi area was exploring the area around the Okama Crater lake at Mount Zao. If you’re lucky enough to be there when the sakura ( cherry blossoms) are blooming, pack a picnic to enjoy on the lawn. Visitors can also take the opportunity to dress in samurai armor - a unique experience that provides both a new way of looking at samurai culture and some great photo opportunities. While only one of the original castle’s many buildings was reconstructed, it is surrounded by a lovely lawn dotted with cherry trees and has some sweeping views from the top floor. After cruising through the sleepy town, we made our way to Shiroishi Castle.Īfter being demolished during the Meiji Restoration, Shiroishi Castle was rebuilt in 1995 to give visitors an idea of what the castle would have looked like in its heyday. The bikes themselves are a bit old and are nothing more than your quintessential Japanese shopping bikes, but considering the town is mostly flat they did the job just fine. We took the shinkansen to Shiroishizao station, where we rented bikes to explore the town for a day. The weather is also a bit cooler and less humid than in Tokyo, which makes it a great choice for a summer or autumn getaway The Shiroishi Area It’s the kind of place that can be visited in a few days, but could easily fill a much longer trip as well. With mountains, waterfalls, a crater lake, a rugged coastline and a picturesque bay dotted with rocky islands, Miyagi never failed to impress me with its stunning beauty. Where in Japan can you see some of the country’s best and most varied scenery, chow down on fresh oysters, and explore the great outdoors from the sea to the mountains, all in the space of just a few days and only a two-hour shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo? After a trip there this summer, I was surprised to learn the answer is - Miyagi.
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