Event Board

～Since I was little, I loved drawing and would draw nonstop whenever I had a blank sheet of paper. After graduating from a small boarding high school, I worked in maintenance and operations at a hydroelectric power plant in the mountains. However, I didn’t find the work very enjoyable and began thinking that I wanted a job where I could draw. By chance, I learned on TV about the profession of a maki-e artisan and knocked on the door of Mr. 曽根卓男 in Aizuwakamatsu.～ Such is the background of 大竹信一. And his daughter, 二瓶由布子, who advanced from the Craft Seminar of the Industrial Information course at the Aizu University Junior College Division to the maki-e course at the Aizu Lacquerware Technical Successor Training School, now presides over the studio ほくるし堂. This lovely parent-and-child exhibition colors the spring at 福西本店店蔵 every other year. Please take this opportunity to encounter the wonderful Aizu lacquerware. From Saturday, April 11 to Sunday, April 19. Admission is free at the venue on the second floor of 福西本店店蔵.

One of Japan’s largest! Nitchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom Avenue 15 days when Kitakata City turns cherry-blossom pink Illumination period: April 13 (Mon)–19 (Sun) Limited-time events at stores around the city! A cherry blossom market will also be held in the temporary parking area.

～ Let’s raise a glass to Aizu’s spring! At Tsuruga Castle’s Ninomaru, a full lineup of Aizu’s proud sakes gathers Cherry blossom edition of “Aizu Seishu Yataimura” Sales are by the shot at each brewery’s booth. Fragrant and elegant ginjo, richly flavorful junmai, gently warming heated sake, etc. Enjoy in your preferred style. There will also be food stalls with carefully selected Aizu snacks that make Aizu sake even more delicious! Snacks are sold for cash at the stalls; sake is sold by ticket. Tickets are available on the day only. Brewery-hopping sake (ticket system, tax included) ・Same-day tickets (200 yen×5) 1,000 yen ※ Comes with snacks that pair well with Aizu sake! Limited quantities! ※ Snacks sold at the venue are cash-only.

This is the Iwase Bookstore Aizuwakamatsu Station Front Store. We have Poplar Publishing picture book merchandise ready and look forward to your visit.

In the season when the whole town is dyed cherry-blossom pink, this event invites you to walk a course of about 4.5 km while enjoying the scenery along the Tadami River, 圓藏寺, and sweets in the temple town. The course is suitable for beginners to intermediate participants, and anyone can join with ease. 【Reception/Start】 　Check-in: 道の駅会津柳津 9:30〜10:00 　Start: 10:00 　Finish: 12:00〜13:00 (道の駅会津柳津) 【Course (about 4.5 km)】 道の駅会津柳津 → 瑞光寺橋 → 柳津橋 → JR会津柳津駅 → 赤べこ通り商店街 → 中の橋 → 役場前 → 菜の花ロード → 道の駅会津柳津 ※ For those who wish, a “Special Hanami Bento (1,500 yen, with tea)” will be available (handed out at the finish). Apply here for the Sakura & Sweets Walk ■ Held on the same day 【モダン駅フェス】 Photo contest via smartphone (submit photos taken during the walk) 【Night Cherry Blossom Mini Walk (19:00〜20:00)】 　Meeting point: JR会津柳津駅 (check-in from 18:45) 　Course: approx. 2 km ▼ How to apply for the Night Cherry Blossom Mini Walk Please apply by phone. TEL:0241-42-2346 This is an event where you can fully enjoy cherry blossoms, sweets, and the charms of the town while walking through springtime 柳津. We look forward to your participation!!

In spring, enjoy Kitakata sake boldly from midday… While viewing the weeping cherry blossoms, sample and compare the brands you’re curious about. When you find your favorite, have another glass. The venue will be filled with characterful Kitakata sakes that rival its ramen, plus foods that pair perfectly with drinks! It won’t be “just hanami”!! [Part 1] 11:00～19:00　 　Kitakata sake tasting　5-glass set 　Served with a drink holder so you can enjoy alongside the weeping cherry blossoms. [Part 2] 17:00～19:00 　All-you-can-drink Kitakata sake! 　Let’s enjoy the night weeping cherry blossoms and sake to your heart’s content! 　As an advance-reservation perk, we’ll provide biscotti and rice crackers made with sake lees. ▶Details and advance reservations here Advance reservation period: March 10–April 16 (perk: two kinds of special SAKE Fes appetizers included)

～Spring begins at 高寺山～ We will hold Aizu's earliest mountain-opening ceremony: the 高寺山 mountain opening! 高寺山, one of the Aizu 100 Famous Mountains, is filled with ancient romance and abundant nature. With an elevation of ４０１．６ｍ, it is easy for anyone to climb. When katakuri and daffodils are at their best, why not try hiking for your health as well? We look forward to many of you joining us! Schedule／From 8:00 a.m.　　　　Reception 　　　From 8:30 a.m.　Mountain-opening ceremony 　　　Around 8:45 a.m.　Hike begins 　　　※Estimated hiking time: about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes Perks and Events【No registration required】 ○Participant perks ・Same-day reception: commemorative badges for the first ２５０ people! ・Fun raffle drawing! ～Winners will receive local specialty gifts from the town～ 　※Raffle ticket distribution is from ８：００ to around ９：３０ ○Hospitality ・川西みらいづくりの会　From around １０：００～ 　Tea and dango served at 見明山スイセン園 ・会津自然の家　From around １０：３０～ 　Pork miso soup served at the 会津自然の家 parking lot 　Bath facilities open at 会津自然の家（users should bring bathing supplies） ○Events ・Specialists will provide explanations at checkpoints related to the legends and history of 高寺山! 　Those who obtain the history keywords（passwords）at all checkpoints will receive a “高寺山御朱印”! 　Let’s aim for the summit while feeling the history and romance of 高寺山! ※Please participate in the hike at your own responsibility. ※Children of elementary school age and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. ※Please bring your own bear-prevention items and take precautions. Organizer／会津坂下町教育委員会 Co-organizers／福島県会津自然の家（サンアメニティ） 　　　川西みらいづくりの会 Support／福島民報社 　　　福島民友新聞社

At 蚕養國神社, which has a history of over a thousand years, the Sakura Festival / Spring Grand Festival will be held to celebrate spring. At 蚕養國神社, the deity of sericulture has long been enshrined, and every year on April 19 people involved in sericulture from across the country (sericulture guilds) came to worship. This day was called the “Kōsha Grand Festival,” during which Taidai Kagura was dedicated at the Kagura Hall, and “doburoku” brewed with the shrine’s unique method was served to worshippers. At its peak, it is said the shrine bustled with 30,000 to 50,000 worshippers, but with the decline of the sericulture industry, both the festival and the brewing of doburoku ceased by the mid-Showa period. A quiet remnant of those days still remains in the marker post standing at the intersection in front of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. After time had passed, in 2002 (Heisei 14), “doburoku” was revived by the then chief priest Yoshihiko Fukaya, and the festival was restored under the new name “Sakura Festival / Spring Grand Festival.” In the precincts, the sacred tree “峰張櫻,” over a thousand years old, is in full bloom, and beneath it a Shinto ritual is performed to pray for the development of sericulture and a bountiful harvest of the five grains. The sacred sake “doburoku,” prepared from mid-March, is offered before the deities for the first time on this day and shared with worshippers. In recent years, members of the Higashiyama Onsen Geisha Cooperative have dedicated dance performances at the Kagura Hall, adding brilliance to the festival. Sakura Festival / Spring Grand Festival (Overview) ■ Date and Time: April 19, rite at 11:00 ■ Venue: 蚕養國神社 ■ Details: After the ritual is performed at the worship hall, a ceremonial banquet will be held between 峰張櫻 and the Kagura Hall. 　　　　The ritual and banquet are open to all attendees.

The Cat Music Troupe's spring performance is "Takashi Yanase's Beloved Songs" Takashi Yanase, the model for last year's NHK morning drama series "あんぱん." We will sing the poetry collection "Beloved Songs," which he wove with heartfelt thoughts for his wife, Nobu (のぶ). The first half features the song cycle "Beloved Songs" composed by Makiko Kinoshita, and the second half traces the life of the master poet Tatsuji Miyoshi—who lived through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras—through readings and songs based on his autobiography. Advance tickets are on sale for 1,000 yen at MUSIC PLAZA白水堂.

明治９年８月２１日に、旧福島県、磐前（いわさき）県、若松県の合併により、ほぼ現在の福島県の形が誕生してから、令和８年８月２１日で１５０周年を迎えます。 この大きな節目を寿ぎ、明治大正昭和のそれぞれの時代に活躍した会津ゆかりの画人の作品をご紹介します。 佐藤適圃、野出蕉雨、徐晏波、酒井三良、湯田玉水、松原石舟、苅谷鷺行、江花羽谷、岩浅松石、猪巻清明、小野塚響宇、田中梯山、土橋華城、そうそうたるメンバーの画技をご堪能ください。 そして、日本画の画風の変遷もお楽しみください。

岩瀬書店です。 2026年秋、マスコットキャラクターが誕生します！ みんなで名前を決めて下さい！