Koriyama and Asaka Canal: Meiji Era Mega-Project That Transformed Modern Agriculture

Koriyama and Asaka Canal

Koriyama, Fukushima, is a city transformed from wasteland to agricultural zone by the completion of the "Asaka Canal" (1882) drawing water from Lake Inawashiro. It is inscribed in history as a symbolic success of Meiji modernization policy.

Highlights

- Asaka Canal Headworks (Asaka Canal Land Improvement District): Intake facility tours - Koriyama City Historical Museum: History of the Asaka Canal and pioneer settlement - Hayama Park: Cherry blossom and autumn foliage park beloved by Koriyama residents - Kaiseizan Park: Koriyama's premier cherry blossom site; also houses Asaka Pioneer Memorial Hall - Kaiseizan Daijingu Shrine: Protective shrine of the Asaka pioneer settlement

Koriyama Today

- Developed as Tohoku's second city after Sendai - Commercial and industrial hub

Getting There

- JR Tohoku Shinkansen Koriyama Station (about 1 hour 10 minutes from Tokyo)

Tips

Koriyama is the gateway to Lake Inawashiro and Aizu Wakamatsu. About 30–40 minutes by car from Koriyama to Lake Inawashiro. Kaiseizan Park during cherry blossom season (late April) is worth a visit.