Useful Information

A Complete Guide to Visiting Fukushima During Winter

A Complete Guide to Visiting Fukushima During Winter

The coldest months of the year bring beautiful scenery to Fukushima Prefecture. From snow-capped mountains and thatched-roof houses in the Aizu area to the refreshing view of the sunrise over the iconic Bentenjima Shrine in the Hattachi coast, there is a wide variety of attractions and activities to enjoy during winter in Fukushima.

Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba Viewpoint

This is a compilation of useful information to make your winter getaway smooth and enjoyable! For recommended winter attractions, check out this post.

Yanaizu Town

Transportation

Checking the Status of the Roads Before Departure

Especially in the Aizu and Central areas, a snowstorm could occasionally block some roads or affect visibility (a phenomenon known as a whiteout).

Checking the status of the roads makes your trip safer and can help you foresee potential delays. This webpage shows camera footage of the status of the roads (available only in Japanese).

Click or tap on the camera button in the area you are planning on visiting. Select the road you would like to see on the new pop-up window.

In most rent-a-car facilities, you will be asked where you are going and be given a vehicle equipped with what you need (winter tires, chains, etc.).

Preparing for Longer Travel Times

Because road conditions change unexpectedly, it is best to expect longer travel times, particularly if you are traveling by bus or car.

As an example, check the following estimates:

  • Aizu-Wakamatsu City to Ouchi-juku: normally takes around 45 min. (90 min on snow-covered roads)
  • Ouchi-juku to Tadami: normally takes around 90 min. (150 min. on snow-covered roads)
  • Tadami to Kaneyama Town: normally takes around 40 min. (90 min. on snow-covered roads)
  • Kaneyama Town to Mishima Town: normally takes around 30 min. (90 min. on snow-covered roads)
  • Mishima Town to Aizu-Wakamatsu City: normally takes around 50 min. (120 min. on snow-covered roads).

Finding the Public Transportation Winter Schedule

Some buses or trains, like the Saruyuugou loop bus in Ouchi-juku, have different schedules in the winter. The service can either become reduced or extended for special events.

If you will be relying on public transportation, take a close look at the time schedule for any notations of changes during the winter.

If it is only in Japanese and you cannot read it, inquire at the closest station or local tourist information office (or send us a message and we will do our best to assist you).

Some hotels and ski resorts offer shuttle bus services to and from the closest station, such as the Minowa Ski Resort's free shuttle bus service from Fukushima Station. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.

Activities

Would you ride a snowmobile in the snowy hills of Tsuchiyu Onsen in Central Fukushima? Check the Snowmobile Riding Experience page for more information.

Extreme Onsen Experience

The Extreme Onsen Experience is a popular activity during the so-called 'greens season', but, for safety reasons, it is not possible to climb Mount Adatara when it is covered with snow, so the tour becomes temporarily unavailable until the snow melts in the spring. Write us a message if you would like to be notified once the tour becomes available again!

Alternatively...

Soaking in the hot springs while contemplating a snowy landscape is a truly magical experience that you can enjoy in many other onsen towns, like the nostalgic Tsuchiyu Onsen Town.

Tsuchiyu Onsen Town

Goshiki-numa Ponds

If you would like to visit the Goshiki-numa ponds during winter, we recommend booking a snowshoe tour and going with an experienced guide, as travelers are discouraged from visiting independently.

Goshiki-numa Ponds Snowshoe Experience Booking & More Information

Other Places That Are or May Become Closed for the Winter

Here are some sightseeing spots, experiences, and tours that are only (or mostly) available from spring to fall (usually April to November) and could thus become unavailable during the winter:

Unavailable In the Winter

Still available, but...

The Bandai-Azuma Skyline

Crossing Mugenkyo Ravine by Ferry (Mugenkyo no Watashi)

Extreme Onsen Experience, Soma City Bamboo Fishing Tour, SUP Experience at Menuma Pond and the Ouchi-juku Time Slip & Soba Making Experience.

Ebisu Circuit closes during most of winter due to heavy snowfall (check the live camera and contact Ebisu Circuit directly for more information).

Goshiki-numa and Oze National Park are closed to individual travelers and some of their facilities become unavailable. For safety reasons, it is advised for travelers to only visit as part of a guided tour organized by a reputable company or with an appropriate permit.

 

Experiences that are still available during the winter months:

The Ouchi-juku kimono experience,  Kitakata Ramen-Making Experience, the Minamisoma Coast Trekking and more! 

Finding Winter Destinations

While some places and experiences enter a hibernation of sorts, others take center stage. Ski slopes, with powder snow and lots of activities for the entire family, become one of the main attractions in Fukushima (access our 2-day skiing itinerary here).

Winter festivals, illuminations, and other events enliven several spots around Fukushima (check our calendar for winter events in Fukushima in 2023).

If You Are Planning The Ultimate Winter Road Trip...

Bring snacks and drinks with you!

Japanese convenience stores and vending machines are spread out in remote rural areas.

It is always safer to bring snacks and drinks with you, particularly if you are traveling with children.

If you would like to know where to go for pit stops, roadside stations, known in Japanese as 'Michi no eki' (道の駅) usually have local specialty foods and souvenirs.

Prepare for the Unexpected—and the Beautiful

We recently visited the famous No. 1 Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint with my coworker.

In the morning, we were told that the JR Tadami Line, which famously runs over the scenic bridge, had canceled operations for the day due to heavy snowfall, but we decided to go anyway.

When we arrived at the viewpoint, it was snowing heavily and there was zero visibility—the iconic view was nothing but an indistinguishable mass of white and gray.

We decided to drive to another scenic point (the Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba Viewpoint) hoping the sky would clear up.

It finally did and we were lucky to get beautiful shots of both places.

You never know when you can enjoy a snow-covered landscape with clear skies.

Winter is a delightful season to travel around Fukushima and take in the views of its many scenic towns, winter festivals, and glistening lakes nested in the mountains.

Miyakoji Area in Tamura City

The coastal area is also worth a visit during this time; its famous sunshine and tropical feel make it a perfect getaway from the harsher cold inland.

If you have any questions about traveling in Fukushima, please send them our way using the contact form you can find on our website.

We hope you enjoy your stay!

Latest posts

  1. Destination Spotlight

    The Tourism of Hope: A Guide to the Key Sites of Fukushima’s Post-Disaster Revitalization

    The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011 devastated huge swathes of the Tohoku region; in Fukushima Prefecture alone, over 4,000 people lost their lives as a result of the disaster. Known by many locals as the triple disaster – earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant failure – the events of 2011 stand as one of the most severe disasters in modern history.Over ten years on, Fukushima is once again a bustling tourist destination.Although citizens of coastal areas were ordered to evacuate in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, extensive revitalization efforts have allowed people to come back, and these days the ‘difficult-to-return’ zone covers just 2.9% of Fukushima Prefecture. Radiation levels are roughly the same as other world cities; you can learn more about safety in Fukushima here.If you’re looking to learn first-hand about the disaster, here are some of the must-see locations on Fukushima’s eastern coast.The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial MuseumThis museum, known to locals as Denshokan, accounts in great detail not only the events of the disaster, but the extensive efforts of local authorities to restore the region to its lively former self. This beautiful modern complex, completed in 2020, asks visitors to consider both of the destructive power of natural disasters, and the important lessons we can learn about disaster preparedness for future generations. Four times a day, local residents share their experiences of the events of March 2011 and answer questions from museum guests. Their testimony is both insightful and very moving, and for many travellers remains their most lasting memory of their visit.The museum is a mixture of written records and audiovisual materials, documenting the immediate response from local and national government, and features many interactive exhibits encouraging guests – especially students – to consider how a region should attempt to recover after a tragedy of this scale. Particularly charming are letters of support the people of Fukushima received from children worldwide in the wake of the disaster.Adults enter for 600 yen; high school students or younger for 300 yen. To learn more about Denshokan and how to experience this beautiful modern museum for yourself, visit our dedicated web page.Futaba Town Art DistrictThis seaside town was once home to roughly 7,000 people – currently the population is around one hundred people or less. Many of those who once lived in the disaster-affected area have made new lives for themselves elsewhere, but the people and the spirit of Futaba has been commemorated in the form of gigantic murals around the town. As you walk from mural to mural, it’s hard not to think of the lively townscape it must have been before the disaster struck over ten years ago.Aside from the memorial museum, which is based in Futaba, you can also visit the Asano-Nenshi office, known to many as the ‘Super Zero’ towel factory. Established by an Asano-Nenshi executive who lived in Fukushima as a university student, the factory is perhaps the biggest and most significant visual indicator of a little town looking towards the future.Read more about Futaba Town’s stunning art district.Ukedo Elementary SchoolLocated in nearby Namie Town, Ukedo Elementary School is one of the most striking leftovers from the 2011 disaster. Built close enough to see the ocean, the school was ravaged by the tsunami 40 minutes after the initial quake – that no one in the school lost their lives has been hailed as a miracle. The school grounds, left largely untouched, are now a museum commemorating the remarkable story of how the Ukedo students and teachers safely evacuated on that fateful day in March 2011.Visitors can wander the wreckage of former classrooms and witness the water damage on the walls and floors. Perhaps most awe-inspiring is the sight of the gymnasium, its floor punctured and warped by the immense pressure of the tsunami water.The upper floor of the building features some classrooms as they were before the disaster, and includes memorabilia and wreckage found by revitalization workers. A QR code at the entrance also provides support for other languages including English.Entrance to the school costs 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for high school students, and 100 yen for elementary and middle school students. The building is closed on Tuesdays.For more details about Ukedo Elementary School and other places to visit in Fukushima’s coastal region, see the Fukushima Travel website for more details.If you'd like to visit the area for yourself, check out our dedicated itinerary of a recommended route.

    The Tourism of Hope: A Guide to the Key Sites of Fukushima’s Post-Disaster Revitalization
  2. Useful Information

    Meaningful Travel Experiences in Fukushima

    Apart from exploring Fukushima’s extraordinary landscapes and indulging in its cuisine, plenty of travelers seek opportunities to engage with local communities through hands-on experiences. Japan’s third-largest prefecture, Fukushima, has a diverse and rich history, which is reflected in the variety of activities that visitors can enjoy. Here are some meaningful travel experiences unique to Fukushima.1. Explore the Extreme Side of Fukushima: Ebisu Circuit Drift Taxi Experience & Extreme Onsen (available April-November)Fukushima’s central area is home to active volcanos and mind-bending cliffs that make even experienced hikers jitter with adrenaline. It is no surprise, therefore, that two of the most extreme activities in the prefecture can be enjoyed in this region.The Drift Taxi Experience at the Ebisu Circuit in Nihonmatsu is a thrilling drift ride by a seasoned driver who takes participants through several courses full of twists, turns, and speed. It is the most popular experience on our website and offers a rare opportunity to drift in Japan alongside famous drivers.The Extreme Onsen Experience at Numajiri Onsen is another unique and popular activity. Alongside a guide, you will hike through volcanic terrain to reach a wild hot springs river source where you can soak in and contemplate the surrounding mountain peaks. This experience is perfect for those looking for an adventure, as it combines outdoor sports and relaxing in wild hot springs. Additionally, participants enter the hot springs in a swimsuit (and those with tattoos are also welcome!). 2. Get Creative and Make Your Own SouvenirsBy participating in a craft workshop, you can learn about traditional crafts hands-on by making your own. This helps craftspeople continue to develop their industry while encouraging others to learn about and appreciate their work—plus, you get to take home a unique souvenir. Here are some craft workshops you can join in Fukushima: In Aizu-Wakamatsu, you can paint your own Akabeko (Fukushima’s lucky red cow) at a souvenir shop a short walk away from the Tsurugajo Castle, or paint on lacquerware using traditional techniques at Suzuzen, a lacquerware shop and museum. Takashiba Dekoyashiki, also known as Takashiba Craft Village, is a traditional crafts-making village that looks suspended in time. Here, you can paint a papier-mâché fox mask, and explore the fascinating history of its close-knit community. Even today you can make washi, traditional Japanese paper, by hand in Nihonmatsu. The area has a history of over 1,000 years producing Kami-Kawasaki Washi paper, a local variety of Washi paper. At its Washi Denshokan (Washi Traditional Crafts Gallery) you can make a postcard out of washi and decorate a lampshade. You can assemble a tatami coaster at Tatami Village in Sukagawa City. Kuboki Tatami is a centuries-old family business that has honed the skill of producing and manufacturing tatami mats.3. Pick Your Own Fruit at Japan’s ‘Fruit Kingdom’Eating locally-grown food is a great option to make your travel more sustainable, and there is a wide variety of locally sourced produce to try in Fukushima. Apart from the many restaurants that use local ingredients, several farms and orchards offer a 30-minute all-you-can-pick course in which you can taste seasonal fruit (typically available from late June to December). You can book a fruit-picking experience at Marusei Orchard, for instance, and afterward, visit their cafe to try their delicious fruit parfaits.4. Traverse the Mugenkyo Ravine by Ferry BoatMugenkyo no Watashi is a ferry boat that traverses the Tadami River in Western Fukushima Prefecture. The ride is the brainchild of a local man, Hoshi-san, whose hometown disappeared due to a landslide. Refusing to let the beauty of the area disappear forever, he decided to craft an experience for others to see the stunning natural scapes while traversing the Tadami River, which often gets misty, creating a mysterious atmosphere. During this peaceful boat ride, you can sit back and relax to the sounds of nature as Hoshi-san and/or someone from his team takes you on a relaxing ride. The experience is only offered from spring to autumn each year (roughly from April to November) due to heavy snowfall in the area during winter.5. Make the Local Noodle SpecialtiesNoodles are a key ingredient in some of the most famous dishes in Japanese cuisine, and a few signature foods in Fukushima. Kitakata ramen is considered one of Japan’s big three ramen varieties, and visitors to Kitakata City can not only taste this delicious dish but also try their hand at making it under the guidance of a local expert (and then enjoy a delicious bowl of handmade ramen complete with toppings). The city is all about ramen, to the point that they famously have a tradition of enjoying ramen for breakfast (known as asa-ra!).Also famous is Ouchi-juku’s negi-soba, a bowl of buckwheat noodles topped with grated daikon radish and eaten with a green onion as a utensil. At Ouchi-juku’s soba dojo, you can make the noodles from scratch, after which the staff will boil them for you and prepare the rest of the ingredients. Wait a few minutes, and you can enjoy a steamy bowl of negi-soba of your own making before you go back to exploring the town.Note: The Ouchi-juku buckwheat (soba) noodles are typically made using a mix of buckwheat and wheat flour, but it is possible to request an alternative version using only buckwheat flour (which would make the noodles gluten-free). Please note, however, that there may be cross-contamination, as regular noodles are prepared in the same space.More Experiences AwaitFrom learning samurai martial arts to riding a horse along the coast, there are many more activities to try in Fukushima, which you can request directly through our website. Once you place your booking, we will contact the provider and let you know within a few days whether the date and time you requested are available. If you have any questions about visiting Fukushima or booking experiences through our website, please feel free to send us a message!

    Meaningful Travel Experiences in Fukushima
  3. Destination Spotlight

    5 Things to Do in Showa Village

    ‘Showa’ in Japanese marks a historical period that spanned from 1926 to 1989. Nowadays, the term is sometimes used to describe something retro, vintage, or nostalgic. Coincidentally, there is a village called Showa in Oku-Aizu, a tranquil mountainous region in Western Fukushima Prefecture, and the name seems fitting. Driving through Showa’s winding roads and quaint traditional houses and businesses feels both nostalgic and insightful. With a population of just over a thousand people and no train lines, in this quiet village, you can experience the charm and quietness of Japanese countryside life.If you are planning a trip to the widely overlooked Oku-Aizu area and are considering spending the day in Showa, here are some of the attractions we recommend visiting:1. Visit the Historical Kuimaru Elementary SchoolKuimaru Elementary School was open from 1937 until it closed in 1980 after being replaced by a newer school building. Although no longer operating as a school, Kuimaru was preserved, along with its old desks and vintage books. Walking through the hallways, it feels as if the bell might ring and students will come into class at any moment!What is more, in front of the school stands a towering ginkgo tree that is an attraction in itself, particularly during the autumn when its leaves turn golden. There is also a cafe, 蕎麦カフェ SCHOLA, famous for its galettes made of 100% buckwheat flour. You can read more about the Kuimaru Elementary School here.2. Have Fun at Chansey’s Lucky ParkDid you know that Chansey is Fukushima Prefecture’s support Pokémon? One of the four Chansey’s lucky Parks in the prefecture can be found at the Michi-no-Eki Karamushi Ori-no-Sato (Roadside Station) in Showa Village. While the park is a little smaller than other Chansey’s Lucky Parks, it has several photogenic Pokémon-themed attractions. While you are there, we recommend looking for the unique Showa village-themed Poké Lid (utility hole) featuring Chansey!3. Try Ramie Weaving at the Michi-no-Eki Karamushi Ori-no-Sato (Roadside Station)Ranging from delicately woven shirts to sturdy mats, a wide range of items made of ramie fiber have been produced in Showa Village for around 600 years. The village prides itself in its long tradition of craftsmanship, and it is one of the few places where ramie (karamushi in Japanese) is still commercially cultivated in Japan. Apart from learning about ramie production and seeing the ramie varieties at the garden next to the roadside station, you can also weave a ramie souvenir! At the Michi-no-Eki Karamushi Ori-no-Sato (roadside station), you can make a ramie coaster to take home.On site, you will also find a restaurant offering the area’s staple lunches, like buckwheat noodles, ramen, and tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets). There is also a souvenir shop.4. Climb to a Viewpoint to See the Entire VillagePerhaps the most photogenic view of the village can be found at a viewpoint located at the Okuaizu Showa no Mori Campsite. From there, you can see just how picturesque its traditional houses look surrounded by the lush mountains. The viewpoint can be accessed after hiking up a hill from the parking lot of the campsite. If you visit during the early morning, particularly in the autumn, you might be lucky enough to see a barrage of clouds rapidly passing through the mountains, a phenomenon known as unkai, or sea of clouds.5. Relax in the Area’s Natural ReservesShowa is not densely populated, and its vast forests are lush with vegetation. A recommended spot, particularly during autumn, is the Yanohara Marsh, where the vivid colors of the leaves reflect on the marsh creating a picturesque scene. Another popular spot is the Takashimizu Nature Park in nearby Minamiaizu Town. There, you will encounter a million Himesayuri flowers, highly treasured by the locals, which bloom between mid-June to early July. Please note, however, that there are wild animals in many of the green spaces of Showa and its surroundings, so take due precautions and hike safely!Visiting Showa VillageThe best way to get to Showa is by car, as there are no trains that travel to or within Showa, and buses that connect it with nearby towns are scarce. By car, Showa is about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Aizu-Wakamatsu City, or about 45 minutes from Ouchi-juku.Related LinksChansey’s Lucky Parks and Poké Lids: Must-See Pokémon Attractions in Fukushima5 Reasons to Visit Mishima Town2 Day Road Trip to Oku-Aizu

    5 Things to Do in Showa Village
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