Autumn Colours 2017 Edition | Fukushima

Autumn Colours 2017 Edition | Fukushima | Japan

The Crumbs to Crunch sisters have always loved autumn colours. This year, I planned a special hike up Fukushima's most famous mountain, Mt. Bandai. Unfortunately, the weekend I chose for the hike happened to be right before typhoon Lan! Due to the lashing rain, we were forced to abort our walk. However, nothing eases wet weather blues like a nice cup of tea.

Mt. Bandai

We found a charming little cafe called 1888, right next to the Mt. Bandai Erruption Museum (a great little museum with information in English, well worth checking out). The name of the café refers to the eruption of Mt Bandai in 1888 which buried five villages and killed 477 people. Part of the mountain was blown off, creating the nearby Five Coloured Lakes (Goshikinuma).

Five Coloured Lakes (Goshikinuma)

Ordinarily, 1888 would have a lovely view of the twin peaks of Bandai. However, due to the terrible weather, we could only just make it out in the mist! Even though we couldn't see the real thing, 1888 give you complimentary little Bandai shaped cakes with your tea or coffee. They were delicious traditional Japanese sweets. I think they were made with some kind of bean.

1888 is part cafe and part lacquer ware gallery. Your coffee comes on a beautiful little lacquer ware tray. After finishing our tea and cakes, it was lovely to browse the other lacquer ware items that were on sale.

All in all, I cannot recommend this peaceful little cafe enough, whatever the weather!

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