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Cycling in Kitakata City

Cycling in Kitakata City

1. Renting a Bicycle in Kitakata City

Kitakata is a small city full of hidden gems and local secrets! Wandering the streets of the city you will discover traces of the city’s history as a Japanese warehouse or “Kura” town. You will see many unique and distinctive buildings around town. These unique gems are dotted around a large area that is difficult to fully experience in a day on foot or by car, so I highly recommend renting a bike to get the most out of your trip!

Option 1: Garden Hotel Kitakata

This is a hotel that offers bicycle rentals to guests for free and non-guests for a small fee, the hotel is a short walk from Kitakata Station. A typical bike rental will cost 1000 yen, while an electric assist bike will run you 1500 yen. There are 3 electric assist bikes and 5 regular bikes. During the spring season, bicycle reservations are not accepted in order to give hotel guests priority, however, the bikes are first come first serve, so arriving early in the morning will give you a better chance of securing a bicycle. Staying the night here is another great way to help you secure your chances of renting a bike.If you are arriving by car, the hotel has a free parking lot for guests, so, if there is space available, bicycle renters can request permission to park here.

 

 

Option 2: Akutagawa

This is a small local business/gift shop that also rents out bicycles. Located immediately in front of Kitakata Station, this a very convenient place to rent. There are only “mamachari” style bicycles (no electric assist bicycles) and the number of bikes is roughly seven, however the cost of daily rental is only 500 yen making it a great deal. Reservations are accepted over the phone in any bicycle friendly season, however staff only speak Japanese so it may be a good idea to ask for help from a Japanese speaker when making a reservation.

 

 

2. Cycling the Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms path

The Nicchu Line is a gorgeous 3km long stretch of path that is lined with weeping cherry blossoms. Roundtrip, the journey can be as long as 6km! So, most people only manage to see half of the cherry blossoms before they turn around, or exhaust themselves from walking. However, if you are cycling you will be able to maintain your energy so can enjoy a full day in Kitakata and see all that the city has to offer!!

Cycling through the trees, you will need to watch out for low hanging branches and also pedestrians. The middle kilometer or the trail tends to be really crowded with people taking photos, Fortunately, there are parallel streets so that if you want to go fast you can and enjoy the cherry blossoms while you zoom by the crowds to stop at your favorite trees.

The first and third kilometers are much less crowded so you should be able to cycle between the trees without worrying about a crowd.

Click here for more information about the Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms. ( https://fukushima.travel/destination/nicchu-line-weeping-cherry-blossom/51 )

 

 

3. Grab a snack from a street vendor

As you zoom along the trail you are sure to notice various street vendors. Food trucks, local famers’ stalls, festival style food, and more! At one point of the trail I even spotted an older couple who had a long extension cord coming from their garage so that they could sell cold drinks from their fridge to people on the street. We love to see the hustle! But seriously, I hope that you will check out some of these little street vendors and chat with the local people.

I stopped at an asparagus farmers stall and bought some of her locally grow asparagus to take home and cook. They were SO delicious. Then I stopped at another stall to buy some sakura flavored “Karintou” snacks. Also, delicious! Finally, my coworker and I spotted a place with mini daifuku (rice cakes) and tea, so we stopped to sit and drink some tea have a sweet snack and people watch in front of the cherry blossoms. Although a quick snack will help you find the energy to cycle up and back the entire path, make sure you take the time to enjoy a proper lunch!

 

 

4. Kitakata Ramen for Lunch

We chose to try the local specialty, Kitakata Ramen! One of the top three ramen varieties of Japan, you can hardly say you’ve been to Kitakata City if you haven’t tried a delicious bowl of Kitakata Ramen!

We went to Bannai Shokudo and had zero regrets! The ramen here is absolutely delicious, however sometimes there can be long lines. So I would also recommend Shokudo Hasegawa (https://fukushima.travel/destination/shokudo-hasegawa/286 ), or discover your own hole in the wall ramen restaurant.

Although this is a relatively small city, there are over 100 ramen shops, this is a town that takes ramen seriously. If you choose to stay the night, I recommend trying the local culture of “Asa-Ra” which involves eating ramen for breakfast!

 

 

5. Makie Painting at the Kinomoto Lacquerware Store

After filling up on a big bowl of ramen, I recommend relaxing with a calming indoor activity such as trying your hand at a makie painting experience at the Kinomoto Lacquerware Store. The Kinomoto Lacquerware Store is full of various pieces of lacquerware that are beautiful and long lasting. The tradition of makie painted lacquerware in Kitakata City has a rich history that goes back some 400 years! To draw attention to this local art form, the shop began offering painting experiences, so visitors can experience this beautiful and relaxing art form by painting designs and then dusting pigments onto the pieces. This is a fun activity and a great souvenir from your trip to Kitakata City.

After you finish your masterpiece, I highly recommend taking a look at the “Cats School” diorama upstairs which features lots of cute animal figures (mostly cats!) that are handmade from Paulownia wood and posed doing various cute things. The figures recreate nostalgic scenes of Japanese school life in a large model of a traditional Japanese school. The details are incredible and you can spend a good bit of time taking in each scene of little cat dolls enjoying a day at school. There is even a festival scene that is very cute! Photography is prohibited, so you have to see it to believe it. The display is free to see, so I highly recommend checking it out if you are nearby.

 

 

6. Okuya Peanut Factory for desert

After trying your hand at painting, you may want something sweet, conveniently located just across the street from Kinomoto is the Okuya Peanut Factory. The shop makes a variety of sweets using Aizu-grown peanuts, my favorite is the peanut soft serve icecream. The chocolate covered version was absolutely fantastic, but of course, you can also get it without the chocolate topping in either a cup or a cone. I highly recommend visiting here if you’re craving a sweet treat!

Click here for more information about the Okuya Peanut Factory. (https://fukushima.travel/destination/okuya-peanut-factory/287 )

 

 

Cycling around Kitakata city was so much fun! This is a pretty jam packed adventure day, but I hope this will inspire you to take a trip to Kitakata City and try exploring this unique city by bike!

Thank you for reading, please contact us through our social media accounts or website if you have any questions while planning your next trip.

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    Hot Laps Experience at Ebisu Circuit

    Ever since the concept of drift racing was born in Japan in the 1970s and 80s, drifting culture has steadily increased in popularity to become a global phenomenon. These days, elite drift racers appear in competitions across the world in highly-modified cars, burning through tyres and kicking up smoke wherever they go.The technique involved in drifting is simple to understand but difficult to master – drivers hone their skills over years to perfect the difficult technique of sending the car sliding sideways through corners at full speed. Japan’s legendary car culture and natural abundance of mountain pass roads – known as ‘touge’ – made it the perfect ecosystem for the birth of this wild and exciting motorsport.Drifting is a part of Japan’s underground culture, and there’s nowhere better to experience it for yourself than at the circuit known as ‘drifting Mecca’.What is the Ebisu Circuit?Based just outside of Nihonmatsu City, the Ebisu Circuit is home to several full-size tracks. Some of these are designed for drifting full-time, while others are more for traditional ‘grip’ racing, and only open for drifting during the thrice-annual Ebisu Drift Festival.The circuit also houses several drift schools, the biggest of which is the Sideways Experience. In addition to running classes and renting vehicles to visitors to the circuit, the Sideways crew also provide a Hot Laps experience, letting you ride along in a real drift car as it whips you around the track.The Hot Laps ExperienceIf you’re into drifting culture, or just like cars, or even just want a rollercoaster-style shot of adrenaline, the Hot Laps at Ebisu make for a pulse-pounding experience.We went to try it for ourselves, visiting The Sideways Experience at their headquarters at the Kita (north) course, and then jumping into the passenger seat to take a few loops around the track.If you’ve never been in a drift car before, it is a sensory overload, from the smell of burning rubber to the screech of tyres as the pro drivers swing around corners. Although you’re tightly cinched into your seat by a racing seatbelt, the dramatic momentum shifts and high speeds make for a thrilling time on the track.Bookings can be made in advance on the reservation page.All members of the Sideways team speak English and can help you with any concerns or problems.Ride & DriveAs a working drift school, Sideways also offer the possibility of getting behind the wheel for yourself and learning the basics of drifting from a professional teacher. This was a great eye-opener for me, as I had no idea just how complex it is to send a car into an extended drift. I also managed to throw in a few doughnuts for the camera!The Ride & Drive experience also gives you a chance to jump into a Toyota AE86 (known as a hachi-roku, eight-six), a legendary car made famous by the manga and anime Initial D. Those booking this experience also get to jump in the AE86 for their Hot Laps, so if you’d like to learn to drift in an AE86 on a Japanese track, this is your chance.The AE86 Ride & Drive experience is currently being prepared and aims to be open for bookings sometime in spring 2026. Thank you for your patience.Q&AWhat do I need to bring?A driver’s license is not required to do either the Hot Laps experience nor the Ride & Drive. Helmets can be borrowed on-site.How much does it cost?The Hot Laps experience is a flat fee of 25,000 yen per person for three laps. The car only has room for one passenger at this time. Passengers must pay a separate fee of 2,200 yen at the front gate for ridealongs, which includes a 500 yen mandatory insurance.The exclusive Ride & Drive experience in the AE86, opening soon, costs 66,000 yen, and includes the Hot Laps experience followed by two 10 minute sessions with a professional driver on the Kuru Kuru Land drift pad. Drivers must pay a separate fee of 3,000 yen at the front gate, which includes the 500 yen insurance.Can I choose my favourite track?Visitors can choose from one of Ebisu Circuit’s famous tracks for the Hot Laps – Kita (north), Nishi (west) or Touge (mountain pass). Please be aware that some tracks are sometimes unavailable on event days or special occasions.Is there an age or height restriction?In general, there are no restrictions, but participants must be tall enough to be cinched into a racing seatbelt across the chest.Can I rent a car and drive for longer?For car rentals, please contact the Sideways Experience directly.Getting to the Ebisu CircuitWhile driving up from Tokyo is possible, it's a long journey - upwards of three and a half hours - that mostly sticks to highways and can be costly for toll roads.Many visitors choose to take the shinkansen (bullet train) as far as Koriyama Station - taking about 75 minutes from Tokyo Station - then rent a car there to drive to the circuit. Popular rental services include: Toyota Times Car Rental ORIX JR Rent-A-CarThese all have stores at Koriyama Station and can be reserved online in English.(Overseas visitors using rental cars must have a valid license to drive in Japan, such as an International Driver's Permit acquired in your home country..)Taking a local train as far as Nihonmatsu Station, then a taxi to the circuit, is also a potential option, since the Sideways Experience staff will pick you up from the front gate of the circuit.Helpful Links: Things to Do in Nihonmatsu City A Total Guide to the Ebisu Drift Festival Getting to Fukushima Top 10 Things to Do in Fukushima Cultural activities in Fukushima

    Hot Laps Experience at Ebisu Circuit
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    Exploring A Fukushima Footpath Course

    In 2026, Fukushima’s east coast is no longer defined solely by its past. Along the Pacific shoreline, towns once struck by disaster are gradually filling with new buildings, new businesses and cautious optimism. One of the most revealing ways to understand this transformation is simply to walk through it, map in hand, on a Fukushima Footpath walking tour.What is a Footpath course?Threading through towns along Fukushima’s east coast, a Footpath course is a self-guided walking route that particularly explores areas heavily affected by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident of 2011. These courses follow ordinary streets, coastal paths, shrines, parks and newly developed districts, with visitors using a map to explore at their own pace, stopping where they choose and taking time to absorb the surroundings.The initiative began as a way to draw people back to communities still rebuilding their numbers following the 2011 evacuation order. By encouraging visitors to walk through these towns, the project aims to increase awareness of both the disaster’s impact and the steady, visible progress of reconstruction. On foot, you can see details that would otherwise pass unnoticed; new seawalls, freshly laid roads, modern public buildings, and empty plots waiting for future homes.What makes them worthwhile?Walking these courses with friends turns the experience into something more than simply sightseeing. You might find yourself chatting with a shop owner in a newly opened café or meeting residents who have recently returned. Spending money locally – even on a coffee or lunch – directly supports communities rebuilding from the ground up.You’ll see construction sites beside quiet fields, or brand-new community centers next to long-standing shrines. The courses offer visitors a chance to see the region with their own eyes, and witness firsthand how the coastline is reshaping itself day by day with the support of its vibrant and regrowing community.Futaba: A link from yesterday to tomorrowFutaba, once home to thousands of residents, became the last municipality in Fukushima Prefecture to reopen after the disaster. Today, its population is still small, and walking here makes for a quiet but reflective afternoon. The course begins at the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum, a beautiful facility completed in 2020 as an archive detailing life before, during and after the 2011 tragedy.Next door is the Futaba Business Incubation and Community Center (F-BICC), equally modern with restaurants, conference facilities and a great view from the rooftop.From there, visitors walk through Futaba’s natural scenery, through wide plains where neighbourhoods once stood, while ongoing infrastructure work indicates the area’s rapid progress. In Futaba alone, there is a large hotel under construction by the museum, while the planned Fukushima Reconstruction Memorial Park is taking shape along the coast, designed as a large green space for reflection overlooking the Pacific.The walking course takes trekkers past Nakano Hachiman Shrine, famously rebuilt after once being swept away by the tsunami, and a rare example of a newly built shrine building.Further uphill, Morotake Suwa Shrine sits among trees, offering a view across the town toward the Pacific Ocean, with a small memorial to those who found refuge there during the tsunami.Eventually the course leads to the Asano-Nenshi textile factory, built here in 2023. 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Beginning at a renovated Hirono Station – with a new community exchange center scheduled to open nearby – the footpath quickly transitions from town streets to open greenery.Tsukijigaoka Park provides an early highlight, including a monument connected to a well-known children’s song associated with the area. Beyond the park, vivid green rice paddies stretch across the landscape in growing season, backed by low hills.Walking under the Joban Line railway bridge, you may be lucky enough to watch a train passing overhead on its way headed north to Sendai or south to Iwaki.As the path approaches the Asamigawa estuary, the horizon opens toward the Pacific. The Oshu Sunrise Viewpoint draws visitors in the early morning, when light spreads across the water. 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    Exploring A Fukushima Footpath Course
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    5 Experiences in Fukushima with a Local Guide

    Did you know that there are cultural experiences in Japan that come with their own guide? Many visitors choose to take advantage of the wide array of local experts during their visit to Fukushima.Some say exploring Japan with the help of a local is the best way to travel – someone who knows their way around, can show you hidden spots, answer questions and deepen your understanding of the area.Why does the scenery look like that? What causes that natural phenomenon? What’s the history behind this spot? These are all questions that a local guide can answer for you during your trip. With that in mind, here are our recommendations for some activities you can try in Fukushima with the help of an experienced guide, both for solo travellers or group trips.1. Aizu Lacquerware Painting ExperienceCreate your own piece of a 400-year traditionWith a history tracing back over 400 years, Aizu lacquerware was known in the samurai era for its beauty and quality of craftsmanship. However, this region also pioneered some of the techniques that made mass production of lacquerware a reality, and it became the backbone of Aizu’s artisanal history.In this hands-on experience, you’ll paint some of this lacquerware yourself, with guidance from a skilled artisan and guide, and get to take home your creation as a souvenir.In addition to the techniques and history, you’ll learn about the philosophy behind this sacred art, and how it has been passed down through the generations from the very first artisans who served their samurai lords.Not only is this a fun way to engage with Japanese culture and learn from an experienced artisan first-hand, but you’ll have a lasting memory to take home from your trip!The lacquerware experience takes place at the historic Suzuzen workshop in Aizu-Wakamatsu City, making it a perfect stop for travellers interested in traditional crafts. It’s suitable for visitors of any artistic level.This experience can be booked on the Fukushima Travel website with English support.2. Ramen-Making Experience & Kitakata Town WalkDiscover Kitakata through ramen, culture, and landscapeKitakata City is famous across Japan as one of the country’s ‘ramen heartlands’ – a city with over 100 ramen shops. Ramen is so tied to the culture here that some ramen shops even open for breakfast!In this experience offered by a local store, you’ll explore Kitakata’s ramen history first-hand, walking the atmospheric streets, seeing the traditional warehouses that make the old town so famous, and trying your hand at making your own ramen.In short, this experience is about ramen not only as food, but as a form of culture. To the people of Kitakata, that’s what ramen is – inherently tied to their day-to-day lives.In this experience, rather than making noodles, participants take on the same role as actual Kitakata ramen chefs by preparing an authentic ramen soup, under the watchful eye of a former ramen shop owner. This reflects the true structure of Kitakata ramen culture, where soup-making and noodle-making are traditionally handled by different specialists.The soup is made using naturally filtered spring water fed by the snowmelt of Mount Iide, along with locally produced soy sauce.The experience includes a guided walk through the town, learning about the history of the warehouses that were vital to the ramen creation process. A stop at the local sake brewery allows guests to see and taste the same spring water used in ramen-making.This is no ordinary cooking class – this is a thoughtful, story-rich experience connecting ramen, nature, and everyday life in Kitakata.Prices vary based on group size; please check the booking website for more information.3. Snowshoe Hiking at Goshiki-numaA quiet winter walk through snow, forest, and lightAfter the busy streets of Tokyo, there’s nothing like stepping away to enjoy the peace of nature in rural Japan. This snowshoe hiking tour takes visitors into the famous Goshiki-numa region, renowned for its ponds that turn a variety of vibrant colours depending on the season and sunlight.Led by an experienced guide, visitors wind their way through the snowy forests of the Urabandai area, finally arriving at one of Fukushima’s great natural sights – the crystal blues and emerald greens of the waters of Goshiki-numa.For many people, the snowshoe hiking tour is something of a meditative experience. Although the guide will walk you through the region’s history and wildlife, there are portions of the trip where you’ll hear nothing but the crunching of snow beneath your feet. If you’re looking to visit somewhere with real character and no other tourists, this is the trip for you.Although guests can bring their own snowshoes, most choose to rent snowshoes on site for a small additional fee. The default experience is held with a Japanese-speaking guide, although they speak some basic English and are happy to welcome visitors from overseas.This experience is suitable for families and small groups.Bookings can be made on the Fukushima Travel website.4. Fukushima Taxi: Tsurugajo Castle CourseHistory, local cuisine, and a preserved post town in one dayTaking out the stress of getting the right timings on public transport, a day taxi hire is how many visitors choose to see Fukushima’s best sights. This course departs from Fukushima Station, a bullet train stop, making it easy for travellers utilising the JR Pass.The course runs to Tsurugajo Castle, an awe-inspiring fortress that bears a terrible and war-torn history behind it. The interior is a museum dedicated to the men and women who fought here in open rebellion, during the final years of the samurai.Lunch, included in the price, is served at a beloved local restaurant serving wappa-meshi. This regional dish, made exclusively with local produce in artisanal cedar lunchboxes, has a rich history that evokes the workers who used to carry them to their work deep in the wilderness.The taxi then winds its way south to Ouchi-juku, one of Fukushima’s most beloved sights for its rows of thatched roofs and calming atmosphere. Some of the residents in this area have lived here and sold their wares for generations, and are as eager to welcome new visitors as their forefathers were. This was once a post town, where samurai would stop and rest on their long journeys between Aizu and the capital.You’ll be met by your guide at the important sites and given an introduction to the history of the area, making it perfect for lovers of history or those looking to learn more about Japanese culture.This is a private taxi tour, so pricing varies based on the number of participants. A standard taxi seats 1-2 guests (plus the guide), while a ‘jumbo’ taxi is used for groups of 3-8.Bookings can be made here.5. Fukushima Taxi: Disaster Memorial CourseA day to understand Fukushima’s past, present, and futureAs with the taxi tour to Tsurugajo Castle and Ouchi-juku, this course simplifies travel arrangements, offering visitors a chance to see the main sights of Fukushima’s disaster recovery for themselves.The events of March 2011 are intertwined with this part of Japan. The east coast of Japan, devastated by the earthquake and tsunami, is still recovering in many ways, although great strides have been made in the intervening years.Visitors on this course will head first to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum, known as Denshokan, where they can learn more about the people tragically affected in 2011 and how the prefecture continues to move forward to a brighter future. Here is where your guide will explain more about the history as someone who is familiar with the area and can explain the facts clearly and carefully.Next is lunch at Asano Nenshi; the soft towel factory is something of a symbol of the region’s recovery, having been opened here after the disaster to encourage economic growth and provide jobs. The stylish café on the ground floor is an open, airy space that offers a variety of Japanese and Western options.The final stop is Ukedo Elementary School, a preserved site that quietly conveys the memories of the disaster. The school, barely 300 metres from the east coast, was badly hit by the tsunami, and still bears the scars of that day, but also tells the story of how all students and teachers escaped with their lives. A peaceful and thought-provoking final stop on your tour before heading back.This is a private taxi tour, so pricing varies based on the number of participants. A standard taxi seats 1-2 guests (plus the guide), while a ‘jumbo’ taxi is used for groups of 3-8.Bookings can be made here.Looking to travel more in-depth during your trip? Consider booking a guided experience and learn more about Fukushima’s rich history and culture.Advance booking is recommended. For any questions, send us a message via our contact form.

    5 Experiences in Fukushima with a Local Guide
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