Date (Fukushima)

In 2006, the city was formed from a merging of the towns of Date, Hobara, Yanagawa, Ryozen, and Tsukidate. It is noted as origin place of dried persimmons (Isazawa in Yanagawa), as well as the founding place of the Date Clan (Takako in Hobara), and the site of Ryozen Castle, from which Kitabatake Akiie led his troops during the Nanboku-cho period.

• Ryōzen Shrinefounded in 1881

Date City is well outside the evacuation zone that was established as a result of the 2011 earthquake that took place in Fukushima, damaging a nuclear plant. Although debate continues over the long-term effects of the incident, radiation levels are low and the tap water and local produce are safe to consume.