[2] Fukushima Prefecture has a population of 1,771,100 (as of 1 July 2023[update]) and has a geographic area of 13,783.90 square kilometres (5,321.99 sq mi).

The Fukushima Incident, a political tumult, took place in the prefecture after Mishima Michitsune was appointed governor in 1882.

[11] The earthquake also triggered a massive tsunami that hit the eastern coast of the prefecture and caused widespread destruction and loss of life.

[12] In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that followed, the outer housings of two of the six reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Ōkuma exploded followed by a partial meltdown and fires at three of the other units.

Radiation levels near the plant peaked at 400 mSv/h (millisieverts per hour) after the earthquake and tsunami, due to damage sustained.

It is divided by mountain ranges into three regions called (from west to east) Aizu, Nakadōri, and Hamadōri.

A region with high tectonic activity given its location where the Pacific and Eurasian continental plates collide - a part the Ring of Fire. "

[22][23] Fukushima also produces rice, that combined with pure water from mountain run-offs, is used to make sake.

[24] Some sakes from the region are considered so tasteful that they are served to visiting royalty and world leaders by hosts.

Dating back over four hundred years, the process of making lacquerware involves carving an object out of wood, then putting a lacquer on it and decorating it.

[35] A reflection of a long ago time of war, the Taimatsu Akashi Festival consists of men and women carrying large symbolic torches lit with a sacred fire to the top of Mt.

Accompanied by drummers, the torchbearers reach the top and light a wooden frame representing an old local castle and the samurai that lived there.

In more recent years the festival has been opened up so that anyone wanting to participate may carry a small symbolic torch along with the procession.

Because of this, Aizuwakamatsu was the site of an important battle in the Boshin War, during which 19 teenage members of the Byakkotai committed ritual seppuku suicide.

[42] The Inawashiro Lake area of Bandai-Asahi National Park is Inawashiro-ko, where the parental home of Hideyo Noguchi (1876–1928) can still be found.

[44] While peaches are the most famous, the prefecture also produces large quantities of cherries, nashi (Japanese pears), grapes, persimmons, and apples.

The Japanese Black type cattle used to make Fukushima-Gyu are fed, raised, and processed within the prefecture.

Only beef with a grade of 2 or 3 can be labeled as "Fukushima-Gyu" (福島牛)[45] Ikaninjin is shredded carrot and dried squid seasoned with soy sauce, cooking sake, mirin, etc.

Niboshi (sardines), tonkotsu (pig bones) and sometimes chicken and vegetables are boiled to make the stock.

This is then topped with chashu (thinly sliced barbeque pork), spring onions, fermented bamboo shoots, and sometimes narutomaki, a pink and white swirl of cured fish cake.

[48] The baked good has a milky red bean flavor center wrapped in a buttery dough.

Since it looks simple and does not change much from normal bread when viewed from above, some processing may be performed on the cream, there are things that put almonds or draw the character's face with chocolate [50] Sake.