In the centre of Fukushima city stands Mt Shinobu, which overlooks the city and is splayed around its base.
Mt Shinobu only has a height of 275 meters (902 ft); it is actually a monadnock – an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain. It also has three main peaks – Mt. Ha in the west, Mt. Haguro in the middle, and Mt. Kumano in the east. There are also three secondary peaks.
Today, Mt. Shinobu is a natural and city park. Its sides also contain many shrines and temples, including temples to the Japanese Buddhist Goddess Kannon, similar to the Sendai Dai-Kannon, Ryozen Kannon, and Kamaishi Dai-Kannon.
There are also three observatories, each giving an excellent view of the city in their respective directions. The observatories are numbered. Number 1 is in the southwest and offers views of the city centre and the central train station. Number 2 is on the east side, giving views of the Abukuma River and Fukushima’s eastern districts. Number 3 is on the northwestern part facing west, providing views towards the western mountains and Yamagata Prefecture.
This is an excellent spot to view cherry blossoms, as many cherry trees are on the slopes. In honour of this, some sewer grates also have cherry blossoms.
Getting there
As Mt Shinobu is near city centre, it is easy to get to from almost anywhere in Fukushima. While there are roads that go all the way to the various viewpoints, no public transport goes onto the mountain. Instead, you will need to go to any nearby bus stops and walk to your destination.
Parking spots are available at the top for those renting or owning a car. These are free and untimed, so you can spend as much time. The mountain also has amenities like toilets, picnic areas, and a playground, an excellent spot for easy hiking.
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