12 November 2019
Fuku-Kori-Shima-Yama
A quick trip from Koriyama to Fukushima for dinner
I planned this trip by tracing train lines around Japan and stopping at mountainous areas near cities.
When I was working out where to stop on my way back from Yamagata, I had the choice of Fukushima or Koriyama. I read that Fukushima was a bit more industrial where as Koriyama is a bit more commercial. I dont know if that is true, time will tell.
Of course there is also the small matter that Fukushima is now infamous for glowing in the dark, however thats not really true. The nuclear powerplant is on the coast about 50km away, and its actually closer to Koriyama than Fukushima.
Anyway, despite the risk of attaining a super power, I used my 'free' activated train pass for today to re-board the Shinkansen back in the same direction I had earlier come from to check out Fukushima city. It is about 15 minutes away on the train, or about 50km. It is pretty cool to hop on a train and be in the centre of another city in 15 minutes.
I looked and did not see any radiation hazard symbols. People were openly eating vegetables. No one had a geiger counter. Rats did not have lasers for eyes. What I did see was a very busy colorful city. Lots of shops, lots of restaurants. Below are some pics, just for a change.
When I arrived at Fukushima, I first exited the station on the wrong side. Actually there is still quite a bit to see on the wrong side, including this 7-eleven owned mall, however the map suggested I needed to be on the other side.
A lonely tunnel was all that stood between me and the correct side of the station.
Here is the main street leading away from the station. It was very colorful.
An enticing blue tower awaited. I was drawn to it.
There is a whole network of streets to explore.
This looks like the boutique shopping street. Very orange lighting. Very dug up brick paving.
So if fry is fly what is french not flench? I ask the real questions.
Its a full moon tonight. Tonight is the super blue double blood dragon wolf moon. Every full moon now has an idiotic name. Despite my best attempts to out idiot the names that they are given lately, I think I still have not quite nailed it.
I have wanted hot soba for days now. I gave up and had cold soba. It was still good, but it would have been better if the soba was in a bowl of hot soup!