'''Shirakawa''' is a city in Fukushima

Understand

Shirakawa is the southernmost city in Fukushima prefecture, with population of approximately 60,000 people. The city was originally a castle town, situated at the border of the civilized Kanto region and the wilder Tohoku to the north. A park and memorial are situated at the site where the actual barrier gate (________-Shirakawanoseki) is believed to have been located. The famous haiku poet '''Basho''' is said to have passed through Shirakawa on his travels.

Get in

Shirakawa is served by the Tohoku Shinkansen, which stops at Shinshirakawa station. The journey from Tokyo takes about 90 minutes and costs around __6000 one way. Shirakawa is also served by the Tohoku Main Line, which links Shinshirakawa station with Shirakawa station. By car, the trip from Tokyo to Shirakawa takes around three hours using the Tohoku expressway. Regular highway buses[http://www.kakuyasubus.jp/hokkaido_kanto/abukuma/index.html] from Shinjuku also serve Shirakawa, arriving and departing from the Nishigo bus stop to the west of Shinshirakawa station. The journey costs \3400 one way, and takes three hours.

Get around

Although Shirakawa is not a large city and a circuit of town can be completed in about an hour, it is best explored by car, bus or taxi. Bus stops and taxi stands are located outside both Shirakawa and Shinshirakawa station. There is a JR car rental office at Shinshirakawa station.

See

  • '''Komine Castle''' is a reconstruction of a 17th century castle, located about 5 minutes walk from Shirakawa station.
  • '''Nanko Park''' is claimed to be one of the first officially named parks in Japan, with a traditional garden and teahouse. Access to Nanko park is free, but a small fee is charged for entry to the garden and teahouse (Kyorakutei).
  • '''Shirakawa no seki''' (Shirakawa Barrier) is situated in a park to the south of the city, and is believed to be the site of the ancient barrier between the unconquered north and the capital region of Kanto to the south. The poet Basho is said to have visited here.
  • Do

    While Shirakawa itself does not have a large number of attractions, it is a pleasant rural city, close to several local attractions. (See the "Get Out" section below).

    '''Daruma Ichi''' is held on Foundation Day in February of each year. During this festival, daruma (traditional papier mache dolls) are sold in the streets of Motomachi. According to tradition (and the local sellers), a larger doll should be purchased each year.

    '''Chochin Matsuri''' (Lantern Festival) is held between September 13th and 15th of every second year. The next festival will be in 2009. A smaller festival is being trialled for intervening years. During this festival, representatives from each of the villages making up the city parade through the streets carrying lanterns and mikoshi (portable shrines). The higlight of the festival is on the last night, when the parade wades through the_@Abukuma river to the Renhouji temple (___F__).

    Buy

  • Shirakawa is famous in the region for its unique '''daruma''' (wooden doll) design. Various sizes of these dolls are available from shops in the older part of town. Prices start at __200 for small daruma.
  • Local residents also pride themselves on their '''ramen''' (Chinese-style noodles), and although they may not be a suitable souvenir, they do make an excellent lunch.
  • Shirakawa is also home to several local '''sake''' breweries. Bottles of local sake can be bought from about __1000 at several shops in town, including the international store at the Mega Stage shopping mall.
  • Eat

    Shirakawa is famous in the region for it's ramen noodles. There are claimed to be more than 100 ramen shops in the city.

  • "Hanabusa (_p)", Nibancho 6 (______6), ''(500m from the central post office on Route 294)'' 0248-22-1250, Various kinds of ramen and gyouza (dumplings) are served here. Large bowls of ramen start from about __700.
  • Pirate Ship. enodai 12 (___m__12). ocated behind the Toho Bank (___M___s) on Motomachi dori (_{______) near Shirakawa station.. 248-24-3333. ttp://www.pirateship.jp/. he Pirate Ship is a vaguely pirate-themed restaurant with a fun atmosphere. The menu features variations on the usual Japanese izakaya (pub) standards. Snacks from about __400, drinks from about __350.

  • "Rire et Rire (___[___G___[__)", Nibancho 46 (______46) ''(Located in a traditional wooden building on the corner of Route 294, not far from Hanabusa)'', 0248-22-1985. Traditional on the outside, cozy and modern inside. A variety of Japanese and Western set meals are available with soup and rice from about __1000. There are also a few good desserts starting at __400.
  • Drink

    Shirakawa has several sake breweries, and it is possible to try local sake at one of the many izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) in town.

  • '''Beer Garden''' (_r_[___K_[_f__), located on a rooftop adjacent to the Promise and NTT Buildings which can be identified by its red lanterns, sells snacks and large pitchers of beer for about __800. Beer Garden has a friendly atmosphere complete with photo-phobic dog Rabuchan. It is only open during summer, from about 5pm, but can vary randomly according to the owner's whim.
  • '''Cariboo''', Nakamachi 42, Basement of the Shirai Building (_____S_Q_____r___n__), phone 0248-21-9333 [http://cariboo.in/top.html] is a Jamaican bar with occasional live DJs playing reggae music. The owner's wife is Jamaican, and makes a good range of light meals, including Jerk Chicken and Pepper Shrimp. Red stripe beer is available (__680), as are a variety of rums (from __500). Downstairs opposite the Joyo Bank in by Shirakawa station. Look for the English sign.
  • '''Bend Cafe'''[http://www.pirateship.jp/03_bend_cafe/index.html] is a live music venue in a converted warehouse. Located next to the Pirate Ship restaurant.
  • Sleep

    Shirakawa has several hotels, mainly located close to Shinshirakawa station.

  • '''Toyoko Inn'''[http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00086/index.html] is the local branch of this business hotel chain, with rooms starting from about __4600 for a single. Doubles are available for about __6800.
  • '''Sunroute Hotel Shirakawa''', part of the Sunroute chain, is located next to Shinshirakawa station. (Singles about __7000, doubles from about __13000).
  • '''Shirakawa Business Hotel'''[http://www.sbhotel.jp] (_____r_W_l_X_z_e__) is located near Shirakawa station, about three minutes walking distance. The management is targeting the hotel as the alternative to Taxis and Daikos due to the abundances of snacks, bars and traditional Japanese restaurants nearby (1 minute from the Beer Garden, Cariboo, Bend Cafe and the Pirate Ship). (Singles about __4000, twins about __6500). They've recently started to offer a group discount and free WiFi in all rooms.
  • Housing Rentals

    Affordable apartment rentals (3 minutes walking distance to the shinshirakawa station which is a shinkansen stop) 1k (__38000), 1LDK (__53000)._@For additional information please email: '''rentals.shinshirakawa@gmail.com''' to get pictures, size in meters and availavility.

    Contact

    Shirakawa City Tourism Section 0248-22-1111 (Japanese only); Shirakawa City Office, 7-1 Hachiman-koji Shirakawa city.

    Japan Travel Phone is a service provided by the Japan National Tourist Office. They have English language operators from 9am to 5pm daily. 0088-22-4800.

    Get out

    Shirakawa is close to the ski and hot springs resorts of Hatoriko and Mount Jeans.

    Numerous restaurants, cafes, animal parks and theme parks are located in neigboring Nasu town, in Tochigi prefecture.