塩原の野鳥 Wild Birds of Shiobara

塩原の野鳥　Wild Birds of Shiobara Shiobara is home to a multitude of wild birds whose songs fill the surrounding forests. The area’s wetlands attract waterfowl—great white egrets, gray herons, mandarin ducks, mallard ducks, crested kingfishers, and wa ...

紅葉 Autumn Leaves

紅葉　Autumn Leaves In autumn, the hillsides of Shiobara are ablaze with the vibrant colors of more than 20 different tree species. During the warmer months, all plants produce large amounts of chlorophyll, a green pigment that is necessary for photosynt ...

野立岩 Nodachi Rock

野立岩　Nodachi Rock Nodachi Rock is about 10 meters high and according to local legend, more than 100 people can stand on it at once. In 1600, the lord of nearby Utsunomiya passed through Shiobara with his entourage while heading north to the Aizu domai ...

日本における滝の歴史と伝統 History and Traditions of Waterfalls in Japan

日本における滝の歴史と伝統　History and Traditions of Waterfalls in JapanJapan has many cultural practices that involve water. One such practice is takigyō, the tradition of chanting or praying while standing under a waterfall. The importance of ritual p ...

材木岩 Zaimoku Iwa

材木岩　Zaimoku Iwa Literally meaning “timber rocks,” the term zaimoku iwa refers to the rock formations in this area that look like stacks of timber. They are composed of andesite and are the result of columnar jointing, a geological structure that fo ...