Kitashiobara: A Sleepy Village in Northern Aizu
The village of Kitashiobara, Japan, is found in the prefecture of Fukushima. It only has almost 3,000 residents as of 2018 but covers a total of over 90 square miles. The village is actually a result of the merging of the communities of Hibara, Kitayama, and Oshio, where Kitashiobara got its name, as well. Guests can easily find hotels and inns dotting the area.
Best Time to Visit
Because of the town’s location, it is best to book your Kitashiobara hotels between late April to early July when the weather is at its finest. You can attend several events held nationwide during these months, some of which are the Hanamatsuri (Flower Festival) in April and Tanabata (Star Festival) in July. The city is the least active in December.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Visitors of all ages and interest can enjoy Kitashiobara. You can come by the Goshikinuma Lake for a more relaxed experience or join a tour of the Morohashi Museum of Modern Art. The Urabandai Nekoma Ski Area is also an excellent site if you’re ever in the city in the winter season. Accommodations are plenty in the town too. You can either stay at Active Resorts Resort or Urabandai Grandeco Tokyu Hotel. The latter is the perfect choice for traveling families, as its 103 guestrooms are spacious enough to accommodate a big group. Meanwhile, the former offers free train station pick-up for their patrons, along with ski rentals and a sauna.