Yakushidake Panorama Park
Yakushidake Panorama Park is near the top of the Adatara Mountain Ropeway and can be accessed without any climbing. As the name suggests, it offers views of several peaks in the Adatara massif, as well as the city of Nihonmatsu and the Abukuma River to the east.
The view of Mt. Adatara’s peak rising to the west is marked with a sign that reads, “Real sky above this point.” This is a reference to a celebrated poem by Takamura Kotaro, in which his artist wife Chieko, who was born in Nihonmatsu but lived with him in Tokyo, declares that the only “real sky” is the sky above Mt. Adatara.
At the east end of the park is a lookout point with views of the surrounding landscape. To the northeast rise Mt. Kago, Mt. Tetsu, and Mt. Minowa, which are all part of the same volcano cluster as Mt. Adatara. Far to the north is the city of Fukushima; to the east is the urban center of Nihonmatsu, and beyond that the Abukuma River. To the south is Mt. Osho.
An iron bell hangs by the lookout point. This is a replica of the bell that Kurogane-goya Mountain Lodge, which stands on the slopes to the northwest, uses to signal to travelers when visibility is low due to fog. Visitors to Yakushidake Panorama Park are welcome to ring the bell and hear the iconic sound for themselves.
