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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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    5 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Fukushima... and 5 Hidden Gems for 2026

    Being such a huge prefecture, Fukushima has an abundance of beautiful cherry blossom locales across all three of its main regions. In this article we'll introduce some of Fukushima's most famous picturesque scenes - the ones you'll see on the travel brochures - as well as a selection of hidden gems that don't see as much foot traffic.If you're looking for every cherry blossom spot in one place, check our Google Maps list.Where possible, this article lists the usual period in which the area reaches full bloom. In 2026, this is likely to be slightly earlier than previous years due to a warmer winter.Fukushima's Five Most Famous Cherry Blossom Spots1. Miharu Takizakura, Miharu TownConsidered by many to be Japan's most beautiful single cherry tree, Miharu Takizakura - literally 'waterfall cherry blossom' - is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, such tree in the country. Visitors flock from all over Japan to visit Takizakura, making it one of the busier spots on this list, but the tree is so massive it's easy to take beautiful photographs.It's worth turning up early if you want to beat the crowds, although there is always plenty of parking thanks to several overflow parking areas. There are food stalls and seating lining the route up to the tree, so many visitors choose to spend the afternoon at the tree, eat at the food stall area, then return up the slope for the night-time illuminations.Usual blooming period: Mid-April (above photos taken 17 April 2025)2. Hanamiyama, Fukushima CityThe rolling hillsides of Hanamiyama are situated east of Fukushima City, where you can see vibrant colours of pink, white and yellow from early to mid-April. Previously a private field, Hanamiyama was opened to the public in the 1950s and has steadily grown into one of Tohoku's most famous cherry blossom spots.There are a variety of walking courses that visitors can choose from based on length and difficulty, although even the longest course, to the highest viewpoint over the valley, is still suitable for most people.The easiest way to get to Hanamiyama is to take a bus from the east exit of Fukushima Station. During the blooming season, buses run regularly and cost in the region of 500 yen for a round trip.Usual blooming period: Early to mid-April (above photos taken 9 April 2025)3. Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms, Kitakata CityOnce a part of a wider railway line, this three-kilometre stretch features over 1,000 cherry trees that form a waterfall effect on either side as you walk. This is the rare popular photo spot that doesn't feel overly crowded thanks to its sheer length and number of cherry trees, and the south entry to the promenade is only a short distance from the station.The steam engine that once ran here is still on display, and there are places to stop and relax, as well as food stalls operating throughout blossom season. This makes it an excellent option to try 'hanami', the Japanese spring tradition of having a picnic while cherry blossom watching.Kitakata City is also a great place to visit with a rich history as a ramen and sake brewing heartland, so for some ideas of where else to visit while you're in town, see our related article about Kitakata.Usual blooming period: Late April (above photos taken 21 April 2025)4. Tsurugajo Castle, Aizu-Wakamatsu CityThe massive fortress of Tsurugajo Castle, which stands at the centrepoint of Aizu-Wakamatsu City, is one of Fukushima's best-visited tourist spots in any season, but especially beautiful in spring. The castle grounds are full of cherry trees, especially in the grove on the west side of the keep. There is space to lay out picnic blankets, while the nearby tourist information kiosk sells ice cream and snacks to enjoy while you admire the scenery.The history of Tsurugajo Castle traces back to the Boshin War of 1868, where it was the site of a bloody siege by the forces of the Emperor against the Aizu Domain clan of samurai. The interior of the keep is now a museum dedicated to that battle and those who died in it, while the top floor is an observatory with panoramic views over the city and surrounding area.Usual blooming period: Mid- to late April (above photos taken 21 April 2025)5. Kaiseizan Park, Koriyama CityIf you're a Pokemon fan - or even if you're not - the sprawling grounds of Kaiseizan Park are a must-visit in cherry blossom season for its charming atmosphere. One of Fukushima's four Chansey Parks is based here, a children's play park styled after Fukushima's official support Pokemon.The rest of Kaiseizan Park features a large pond, an array of different flowers, another large play park and ample space for hanami viewing. Food stalls run during cherry blossom season, including across the road at Kaiseizan Shrine, which is also worth a quick visit while you're in the area.The rare inner-city cherry blossom spot in Fukushima, Kaiseizan Park is a short bus ride from Koriyama Station, alighting at Koriyama City Hall.Usual blooming period: Mid-April (above photos taken 17 April 2025)Five Hidden GemsLooking for some lesser-known sleeper spots with great scenery?1. Yonomori Sakura Tunnel, Tomioka TownTomioka is something of a hidden gem itself in Fukushima - evacuated in part in the aftermath of the 2011 disaster, the town has been rebuilding over the last decade and is once again known for its woodland walks and beautiful cherry trees. The sakura tunnel here has been known historically as one of the most striking sights of Tohoku's east coast, now made all the more special for its efforts to rebuild.A cherry blossom festival, combining the traditional sakura viewing with stage performances like yosakoi dancing and taiko drumming, is held on the first weekend of April. For years the festival was unable to be held in the aftermath of the evacuation of parts of the east coast, but nowadays it has returned to being a yearly event.Looking to visit Tomioka Town? You can access the area and enjoy the scenery via a Footpath walking course.Usual blooming period: Early April  (2025 full bloom was around 8-10 April)2. Kannonji-gawa River, Inawashiro TownThe parallel rows of Yoshino cherry trees flanking the Kannonji-gawa River make for a stunning sight in both day time and night time, when the trees are illuminated by an area of multi-coloured lights. The combination of the lush banks, pink cherry blossoms and calming river make a stroll here one of Fukushima's best-loved cherry blossom spots with locals.It's also very accessible, sitting only a minute's walk or so from Kawageta Station, while food stalls selling a variety of Japanese festival food are available on the east bank of the river.A trip to Kannonji-gawa combines well with a visit to the wider Inawashiro region, famous for Japan's fourth-largest lake. If you're in the area, you might consider a trip to Hanitsu Shrine, the Tenkyokaku former imperial villa, or the 'Umbrella Sky' installation at Inawashiro Herb Garden.Usual blooming period: Mid- to late April (above photos taken 24 April 2025)3. Mogi Station, Koriyama CityAlthough a smaller station primarily used for school commutes, Mogi Station totally changes in sakura season thanks to its vibrant wall of cherry blossoms behind the southern platform.For photographers looking to get a shot of the train and the blossoms together, only the last train of the evening arrives at the platform nearest the trees. Most prior arrivals arrive to the platform nearest the station, which also has some cherry blossoms behind it that make for nice photographs.Visitors to the station should be aware that parking can be limited, especially around train arrival times when locals are picking up family members. Please be considerate of the area residents during busy cherry blossom season!Usual blooming period: Mid-April (above photos taken 17 April 2025)4. Fujita River, Koriyama CityFukushima is blessed to have several rivers that are flanked by cherry trees for a long stretch - such as Kannonji-gawa above or the Natsui River Park - but Fujita River is perhaps the best, being accessible from Koriyama City and therefore less than two hours from Tokyo. The trees line this route for three kilometres, and a train - which stops at nearby Kikuta Station - passes over the nearby railway bridge.There is some space on the river banks for picnics and hanami viewing, and there is ample parking nearby. Like Nicchusen or Kannonji-gawa, the route is long enough that it's rare for this area to become crowded despite its popularity.Usual blooming period: Mid-April (above photos taken 17 April 2025)5. Matsugaoka Park, Iwaki CityLocated in sunny Iwaki City in the south-east of the prefecture, Matsugaoka Park is typically one of the first places in Fukushima to reach full bloom, and the oldest in the city. Hosting over 200 trees, the park is wide enough with ample lawn space to make it the perfect hanami picnic spot, in addition to a strong selection of food stalls if you run out of supplies.If you're visiting Iwaki, you might be interested in a trip to Aquamarine Fukushima, the Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum, or further cherry blossom viewing at spots like Ogawa-suwa Shrine (beautiful with late-night illuminations) or Miyukiyama Park in Yumoto Onsen.Usual blooming period: Early April (above photos taken 5 April 2025)More information: Fukushima Cherry Blossom Guide Getting to Fukushima Top 10 Things to Do in Fukushima Cultural activities in Fukushima

    5 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Fukushima... and 5 Hidden Gems for 2026
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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. Masami Asano, company president, chose Futaba as the site for the new factory to promote and stimulate Futaba’s economic recovery.The factory now stands as a beacon for Futaba’s revival, and contains a cafe restaurant where visitors can stop for lunch.Okuma: Forging new infrastructureLike Futaba, Okuma is in the midst of large-scale reconstruction. Entire districts are newly built or being developed, creating a townscape that blends fragments of the old with ambitious new planning. The footpath loops through the former downtown area, where parts of the historic main street survive alongside wide new roads and modern housing for returning residents.The route begins at the contemporary multipurpose complex CREVA, with coworking spaces and event halls reflecting the town’s focus on attracting businesses and entrepreneurs. Nearby, Kuma Sun Terrace provides a convenience store, restaurant, kid’s play room and everyday services.The new Ono Station building connects the town to Joban Line railway, while rows of azaleas and ginkgo trees line sections of the route.Further along stands Fun Eat Makers, a modern wooden facility combining a café and a hydroponic farm that grows produce using advanced indoor techniques. Nearby, the Okuma Incubation Center was once an elementary school, and now hosts companies and community events. Officials have suggested that in five or ten years, the town may look entirely different again. Walking the footpath today captures Okuma at a pivotal moment – actively constructing the infrastructure and social spaces that will define its next chapter.Hirono: At one with natureSouth of Futaba and Okuma, Hirono has a peaceful farmland atmosphere, reminiscent of even a European countryside. 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. Coastal windbreak forests and disaster-prevention green spaces line the shore, representing both preparedness and resilience.Together, Futaba, Okuma and Hirono reveal different aspects of Fukushima’s east coast in modern times: a mixture of reconstruction, natural beauty and cultural significance. By walking a Footpath course, you can witness these changes at a leisurely pace – and see for yourself how the region is reshaping its future.Looking for other ideas during your visit? Check out more details about the Hamadori region, and learn more about the Footpath programme (Japanese language only) on the official website.

    Exploring A Fukushima Footpath Course
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