Nishishirakawa District: Markets, Art and History

For a stay in Nishishirakawa District, Kumakura and the Nishigō municipal area offer different points of interest: the seasonal Marunishi Market, a dated art exhibition, the historical connection of the Boshin-zakura, and named trails. These topics also differ in timing: the market follows a seasonal schedule, the exhibition was a one-time event, and current conditions should be checked for the walking trail.

Marunishi Market: a seasonal event

The Marunishi Market takes place from April to November on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, starting at 9 a.m., outdoors at Marugoto Nishigo in Kumakura. Vendors sell freshly harvested vegetables, processed products, rice, regional specialties, handicrafts, and homemade sweets directly to visitors. Direct sales bring together fresh produce and processed goods with handicrafts. When planning your visit, the season and the Saturday are key: the market is not held every week. Check the seasonal schedule before your visit, before planning your trip around a particular Saturday.

The Marunishi Market grew out of the light truck market, which had been held since 2014. The development of today’s market is also part of its history: its predecessor was a distinct market format from which the Marunishi Market emerged.

Art exhibition and local history

The 33rd Nishigo General Art Exhibition took place from June 26 to 28, 2026, at the Nishigo Cultural Center in Kumakura. It brought together artworks in various genres for a broad age range. Unlike the seasonal market schedule, this was a single event with specific dates.

The Boshin-zakura is located in Kumakura Shimoyama. After the battle on May 1, wounded Aizu soldiers sought refuge there and were cared for by local residents. This historical connection links a specific location with a story of refuge and aid. The two cultural topics therefore differ: the exhibition was tied to a set period, while the event is associated with the location of the Boshin-zakura.

Trails and private guided tours

The Nishigo tourism guide in Kumakura presents suggested routes along the Abukuma River, including the Shin-Kashi Promenade, the Nishi-no-Sato Promenade, the Snow-wari Bridge, and the Kibitaki Forest. Private guided tours can also be arranged on request. If such a tour is important to your plans, make arrangements before your trip.

In the Nishigō municipal area, the 2.2-kilometer Shin-Kashi Promenade runs along the upper reaches of the Abukuma River from Shin-Kashi Onsen and Kyororon-mura to Tsurugi-Katsura Shrine. The distance provides a clear measure of the route, while the named places indicate its course. Note that part of this trail is closed following a rockfall. Check current conditions before hiking. You can take the route length and named endpoints into account when planning, while also considering the trail access notice.

Discover more destinations: Aizu-Wakamatsu, Nihonmatsu, Date, Ojima, Shirakawa, Fukushima, Yanaizu, Kōriyama

For the broader travel overview: Fukushima Prefecture.