FASCINATINGFUKUSHIMAJAPAN Photos of Fukushima

1 Goshiki-numa Ponds(Kitashiobara Village) MAP D-2

Fukushima Prefecture Tourism & Local Products Association

SapporoSendaiFukushima
TokyoWelcome to the fascinating
prefecture of Fukushima!

AKABEKO

Please see page 10

2

Mt. Bandai and Tsurugajo Castle(Aizu-Wakamatsu City) MAP C-3

Mt. Bandai and Tsurugajo Castle serve as symbols of the Aizu region.
The predecessor to the current Tsurugajo Castle was built about 630 years
ago and lauded as the “invincible castle”. It suffered damage due to war,but was rebuilt and now acts as a museum that allows a closer look at thehistory of Aizu.
Access (to Tsugarujo Castle)
JR Aizu-Wakamatsu StationApprox. 20 min by bus

In Japan’s third largest prefecture, Fukushima, you can find an abundance of natural scenery,delicious bounty from the mountains and sea, and cultural traditions nurtured over hundredsof years. There are endless possibilities for enjoyment here with picturesque views to enjoy
to the fullest, exciting outdoor activities, onsen to soothe your body and soul,and traditional festivals to revel in. We hope you’ll enjoy your trip to fascinating Fukushima.

12

Spring
Spring brings the budding of trees and blooming of flowers
all at once. Fukushima is home to numerous locations
famous throughout Japan for its symbolic flower,

the cherry blossoms. The pink cherry blossom trees

blooming against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains is
one of Japan’s most breathtaking landscapes,

which perfectly embodies the coming of spring.

3

Hanamiyama (Fukushima City) MAP E-2

Famous for plum, cherry, and peach blossoms, as well as magnolia,
forsythia, and other flowers that bloom here. It is also known for being
praised as “Togenkyo” (Peach Blossom Utopia) by one of Japan’s most
famous photographers.
Access
JR Fukushima Station

3Approx. 15 min by bus or taxi

4

4

Miharu Takizakura (Miharu Town) MAP E-3

The Miharu Takizakura in Miharu is said to be one of Japan’s threegreatest cherry blossom trees. This giant tree is estimated to be more than
1000 years old, and its weeping waterfall-like branches are an amazing
spectacle. The illuminations at night should not be missed either.
Access
JR Miharu Station565Approx. 20 min by bus or taxi

Kasumigajo Park(Nihonmatsu City) MAP E-3

This ancient castle site is located inside a park, which has
been well-maintained with footpaths and a tea house which
is open seasonally, is known for its bountiful naturalscenery. It is also a cherry blossom viewing spot in springwith approximately 4,500 cherry blossom trees.
Access
JR Nihonmatsu Station

6Approx. 5 min by taxi

Kannonji-gawa River(Inawashiro Town) MAP D-3

The Kannonji-gawa River boasts a kilometer of cherry
blossom trees lining both sides of its banks. Enjoy themurmur of the stream as you take a stroll through thetunnel created by the cherry blossom tree branches.
Access
JR Kawageta Station5Approx. 1 min on foot6897 Nicchu Railway Line Weeping
Cherry Blossom (Kitakata City) MAP C-2

The former Nicchu Railway Line has been transformed
into a footpath that boasts 1000 beautiful weeping cherrytrees, which line the path for 3 km.
Access
JR Kitakata Station

7Approx. 5 min on foot8Ogawasuwa Shrine (Iwaki City) MAP G-5

9Baryo Park (Soma City) MAP G-2

The weeping cherry tree blooming at Ogawasuwa Shrine dates backapproximately 500 years. It is illuminated when in full bloom, and large
numbers of people come to catch a glimpse of its elegant appearance.

The ruins of Nakamura Castle are located within this park. In springtime,
more than 600 cherry blossom trees flower in the park. Take a stroll
among the cherry blossoms to full enjoy the coming of spring.

AccessAccessJR Ogawago Station

Approx. 20 min on footJR Soma Station

Approx. 15 min on foot8

10 Sannokura Plateau Sunflower Field

Summer(Kitakata City) MAP C-2

In summer, one of the largest sunflower fields in the Tohoku region
spreads across the ski slopes of Sannokura ski resort. Overlooking
the Aizu basin, the beauty of the sea of sunflowers against thebeautiful landscape below is breathtaking.
Access
JR Kitakata Station

Plants and flowers flourish in Fukushima during summer.

Approx. 30 min by bus or taxi

Summers in Fukushima welcome visitors coming toenjoy outdoor activities such as a trips to the beaches
and trekking in the prefecture’s mountains.

11 Hinoemata Kabuki (Hinoemata Village)

12 Enzoji Temple

This traditional kabuki play has been passed down throughgenerations in Hinoemata Village for more than 270 years. The
stage stands within the grounds of the area’s tutelary shrine, andthe actors in this precious rustic performing art are all local villagers.

This ancient temple was built approximately 1200
years ago by the noted high priest Tokuichi Daishi.
According to legend, when the temple was being
built, a red cow appeared out of nowhere to help
carry construction materials. This became the originof the Aizu region’s folk toy, “Akabeko.”

MAP A-5

AccessAizu Railway Line
Aizukogen-Ozeguchi StationApprox. 1 hour and10 min by bus(Yanaizu Town) MAP C-3

AKABEKO

Access
JR Aizu-Yanaizu
StationApprox. 10 min on footFruit-picking
You can experience harvesting a varietyof fruit, including peaches, pears,grapes, and apples throughout the year
in Fukushima. In particular, Prefectural
Route 5, running through Fukushima Cityand familiarly known as the “Fruit Line,”
is a popular area among visitors forpicking a variety of fruit.

91013 Soma Nomaoi Festival(Soma City, Minamisoma City) MAP G-2

Horsemen clad in samurai armor participate in horse races, flagcatching competitions, and other performances at this festival. Local
samurai culture has been passed down through generations for overa millennium thanks to Soma Nomaoi Festival.
Access (to the Hibarigahara festival grounds)
JR Haranomachi
StationApprox. 10 min by bus or taxi

14 Samurai Armor Experience(Minamisoma City) MAP G-2

At the Nomaoi-dori Meijokan, which displays Soma Nomaoi
artifacts and offers sightseeing information, you can also
experience wearing a suit of samurai armor. Transform into a fierce
samurai warrior and get an up-close feel for the history of Soma
Nomaoi. (Fee and reservation required)
AccessJR Haranomachi Station

15 Aquamarine Fukushima

16 Oze National Park (Hinoemata Village)

This experience-centered environmental aquarium offers
engaging and fun ways to learn about the oceans. It housesa large tank themed on the currents of the Pacific Ocean, andalso includes one of the world’s largest touch pools, where you
can get up-close and personal with sea creatures.

Lake Ozenuma, Ozegahara Marshland, and Mt. Hiuchigatake canall be found here in one of Japan’s largest high-altitude moors
where natural scenery spreads bountifully. Enjoy the spectacular
views of rolling fields of Nikko day lillies and other flowers.

(Iwaki City) MAP G-6

Access
JR Izumi Station

11Approx. 15 min by bus

Approx. 20 min on foot

MAP A-6

Access (to Numayama Pass)
Aizu Railway Line
Aizukogen-Ozeguchi Station

Approx. 2 hours by bus

12

Fall
Fall is the season to enjoy sights of leaves tinted with

17 Bandai-Azuma Skyline (Fukushima City)
MAP D-2

The Bandai-Azuma Skyline is a sightseeing road that passes
through the Azuma mountain range, at an average elevation of1350 m. There are numerous spectacular views along the road,and the autumnal leaves are particularly breathtaking.
Access (to Jododaira)
JR Fukushima Station

Approx. 45 min by rental car

red and yellow, blowing in the crisp breeze as you

breathe in the fresh air. With its comfortable climate andseasonally clear skies, Fukushima is the perfect place
to enjoy the mountains, temples, and shrines adorned
in beautiful autumnal leaves.

1314

20 Shingu Kumano Shrine Nagatoko(Kitakata City) MAP C-2

The hall of worship at Shingu Kumano Shrine Nagatoko, which dates
back to the 11th century, is a nationally-designated Important Cultural
Property. In fall, the leaves of the ginkgo trees color the entire
grounds in a yellow carpet.
Access

JR Kitakata StationApprox. 15 min by taxi

18
19

18 Nakakamado Weeping Maple Tree
(Iwaki City) MAP F-6

The twists and turns of the trunk of this giant Japanese maple tree create thisbotanically-rare shape. This tree has been nationally designated as a Natural
Monument.
Access
JR Izumi Station15

19 Byobuiwa Crags (Minamiaizu Town) MAP B-5
This uniquely shaped rock was shaped over many years by the rapid flow of theriver. The white of the steep cliff-face and the blue of the water are contrasted
beautifully by the autumnal leaves, which offer impressive views for your enjoyment.
AccessApprox. 10 min by taxi

Aizu Railway Line Aizukogen-Ozeguchi Station

Approx. 1 hour by bus

1621 Mt. Adatara (Nihonmatsu City) MAP E-2
This 1700 m mountain sits within Bandai-Asahi National Park.
Its gentle slopes put even novice mountain climbers at ease.
The mountain is home to a bounty of alpine plants and its
autumnal leaves are spectacular.
Access (to the Okudake climbing entrance)
JR Nihonmatsu Station

Approx. 50 min by bus

23 Nanko Park (Shirakawa City) MAP D-5
This park, established in 1801, is said to be Japan’s oldest park.
Cherry blossom, pines, and maple trees have been planted
along the lakeside offering beautiful scenery that can be enjoyedthroughout the four seasons.
Access
JR Shin-Shirakawa Station

Approx. 10 min by bus

22 Shiramizu Amidado Temple(Iwaki City) MAP G-5

This Buddhist temple built in 1160 has been
designated as a National Treasure. Surrounded byan elegant garden, the ginkgo and Japanese maples
offer stunning views of autumnal leaves in the fall.
Access
JR Uchigo Station

17Approx. 25 min by bus18

Winter
Fukushima’s winters can be harsh, but have their own

unique charms. Enjoy the beauty of the land blanketed withwhite, and make the most of the snowy weather by tryingout snow-related activities in Fukushima, such as skiing
and snowshoe trekking.

SkiingIn Fukushima Prefecture, there are 22 ski resorts, mainly in theAizu area. The slopes, which boast fluffy powder snow, offer avariety of courses and skill levels to suit everyone from beginner toadvanced skiers and even those who come as a family.

Snowshoe Trekking
Walk on frozen lakes, deep into the forest, and other locations thatcan only be reached in the winter while wearing snowshoes andtake in the picturesque scenery.

24 Takayu Onsen (Fukushima City)
MAP E-2

The milky white water with a sulfuric aroma has
been used as an onsen since ancient times for its
medicinal properties. There is a constant water flow
directly from the hot spring source to the onsen,
and no water is added.
Access
JR Fukushima
Station19Approx. 40 min by bus

2026 Tadami River Bridge No. 1

Viewpoint (Mishima Town) MAP B-3

The local train line running through the pure whitemountains covered in snow is famous as a magnificent
sight attracting tourists from around the world.
Access
JR Aizu-Miyashita
StationApprox. 5 min by taxi

27 Shirakawa Komine Castle(Shirakawa City) MAP D-5

This castle, with its beautiful rock wall and sanju-yagura (three-storyturret) construction, was almost entirely destroyed by wars, but it
has been restored to its former glory thanks to the existence of thecastle’s original blueprints. It is one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles.

Access

JR Shirakawa Station

Approx. 7 min on foot25 Ouchi-juku (Shimogo Town) MAP C-4
The traditional townscape of this post town has been preserved as it
would have been in the Edo period. More than 30 buildings, completewith thatched rooves, stand, line the street. They house souvenir
shops and restaurants.
AccessAizu Railway Line
Yunokami Onsen Station

21Approx. 15 min by bus or taxi

22

Traveling inFukushima Prefecture

To Sendai*As of March 2019399

Rail replacement
bus service section

JR Yamagata
Shinkansen Line
JR Ou Line

121

24

To Niigata

To Niigata

Aizu-Kawaguchi Stationdami

Line

Kitakata Station

400

Line

26

Aizuwakamatsu I.C.

Ashinomaki
Onsen Station

400

Tadami Station

25

Koriyama J.C.T.

JR Ban'etsu
East Line

Funehiki-Koriyama
Station4 Miharu I.C.

3288

6
Tomioka Station

Ono I.C.

adFukushima
Airport

118

4399

en

Natsui StationogaKA buku m
Tamakawa I.C.

27
Shin-Shirakawa Station
Shirakawa I.C.

352
Aizukogen-Ozeguchi
Station49

423

Shirakawa Station

OgawagoStationBan'etsu
Expressway

118

8Linynsssen

wa

Iwaki J.C.T.

uL

ine

349

okTo
hIwaki Station
Uchigo Station
Yumoto Station

22

Iwaki-Yumoto I.C.

289

JR Suigun Line18289

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Aizu-Kinugawa
Linekarehin

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400

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16

Izumi Station
15349

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StationMiharuStation294401

A114
399

Koriyama I.C.

26JobanExpressway

Nihonmatsu Station

289

To Asakusa

Express

5459

289352

14
13
Haranomachi Station

Minamisoma I.C.

121

11114

49401

JR JobanLine

349

Aizu Railway
118 Line

Yunokami Onsen
Station

19Line4

Nihonmatsu I.C.

Lake Inawashiro

401

Soma Station

115

3

21459

9399

115

Aizu-Wakamatsu
6
Station
Kawageta
2
StationAizu-Miyashita
Station289

Fukushima
StationBandaikogen I.C.

12 Aizu-Yanaizu
StationTohoku-chuo
Expressway

Soma I.C.

Fukushima-nishi I.C.

Inawashiro
Station Inawashiro

252

To
Koide

120BanE xp 'etsu
re ssway

JR Tasu West17

Lake Hibara

7s wayRoJR Ban'etxpre s

Fukushima J.C.T.

1049huo Ea131113Ab

Closed section

349

ukum

To Yonezawa Tohoku-c

Fukushima Kotsu
Iizaka LineTo TokyoC

To MitoD

To MitoEFG*The positions, scale, and required times listed on the map are estimations.

Access toFukushima Prefecture

AirplaneSydney,Australia

Approx. 10 hours

Los Angeles,
USA

Approx. 11 hours

Rail LineMap*As of March 2019

JR Ou LineAizu-Wakamatsu
JR Tadami Line

TokyoSoma

Fukushima
Aizu-Wakamatsu

Tadami

Koriyama
Shirakawa

Sydney,Australia

Iwaki

Yunokami OnsenAizu-Tajima

Railway
Sendai

JR Tohoku Shinkansen Line
Approx. 20 min

Tokyo

JR Tohoku Shinkansen LineApprox. 1.5 hours

Expressway
SendaiTohoku Expressway
Approx. 1 hourTokyoTohoku Expressway
Approx. 3 hours

Iwaki

Aizu Railway(Aizu Line)

Aizukogen-Ozeguchi

Tobu Nikko

Tomioka
MiharuYagan Railway(Aizu-Kinugawa Line)
Kinugawa Onsen

Namie

Koriyama

Ashinomaki Onsen
Aizu-Kawaguchi

Haranomachi

JR Ban'estu
East Line

Inawashiro

Nishi-Wakamatsu

Soma

AbukumaExpress Line

Iizaka Onsen

Fukushima
JR Ban'etsu West Line

Kitakata

Sendai

Yamagata

Los Angeles,USAWatari

Niigata

NiigataLondon,
UKFukushima
Kotsu(Iizaka Line)

Yonezawa

TokyoApprox. 11 hoursLondon,
UKSendai

Yamagata
JR Yamagata
Shinkansen LineJR Suigun Line

Shin-Shirakawa

JR Tohoku
Shinkansen Line

JR JobanLine

JR Tohoku Line

MitoTobu Railway
Kasukabe

Closed Sections
Fukushima

JR Tadami Line between Aizu-Kawaguchi
Station and Tadami Station

Tokyo

Fukushima Prefecture Tourism &Local Products Association

Corasse Fukushima 7th Fl. 1-20 Mikawaminami-machi,
Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-8053*Rail replacement bus service in operation between
Aizu-Kawaguchi Station and Tadami Station

JR Railway

Shinkansen LineOmiya

UenoKitasenju
Asakusa

JR Joban Line between Tomioka Stationand Namie Station*Rail replacement bus service operates overa portion of the closed section of the JR Joban LineTokyoExpressway

TEL:(+81) 24-525-4024 E-mail: i-info@tif.ne.jp

https://www.tif.ne.jp/lang/en/