The Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum "Horuru" No.2

Coal was discovered at Mirokuzawa in Iwaki City in 1856, leading to the development of the Joban Coalfield, which grew to become the largest of its kind on Honshu.

Following the Meiji era, the region saw further expansion with the establishment of operations. However, during the 1950s, the primary energy source shifted from coal to oil. 

Faced with financial difficulties and issues such as an increase in hot spring water flooding the mine, the Joban Coal Mine operations were gradually shut down between the 1960s and the early 1970s.

The Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum "Horuru" No.1

The Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum "Horuru," located in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is an exhibition facility dedicated to the themes of coal and fossils. 

It displays world-class fossils, including the skeletal specimens of the *Futabasaurus* (Futaba Suzuki-ryu) and the Iwaki Whale, both of which were excavated in the local area.

Futabasaurus

Nakosonoseki Park In Iwaki City

Minamoto-no Yoshi-ie

This is the site of the Nakoso Barrier, counted—along with the Shirakawa Barrier (Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture) and the Nenjugaseki Barrier (Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture)—as one of the "Three Barriers of Oshu."

It is renowned in literature, particularly for the poetic phrase *kuru koto nakare* ("do not come").

The surrounding area is designated as the Nakoso Prefectural Natural Park.

Suifu-den

We Stay At A Hotel Near Lake Senba

Lake Senba is a scenic 3-kilometer circumference freshwater lake located in the center of Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

The lake is part of Senba Park. It is located next to Kairaku-en, a large park built in the Edo period known for its large number of plum blossoms.