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Ideas for Winter Trips in Fukushima

Ideas for Winter Trips in Fukushima

I decided to write a bucket list of things to try out in Fukushima during the winter months!

1) TAKE IN THE VIEWS OF BEAUTIFUL OKU-AIZU

The Tadami Line train connects Aizu-Wakamatsu City with Niigata Prefecture via some of Fukushima’s most beautiful rural towns and villages. The route of this train ride is breath-taking throughout the year, and winter is no exception.

I especially want to check out the view of Oshi Shuraku Hamlet (大志集落) in Kaneyama Town, which you can see in the photo below. This view spot is located at Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba (かねやまふれあい広場 – Map), which is a 10-minute walk from Kaneyama Station on the Tadami Line.


2) ATTEND SNOW FESTIVALS

Most of the snow festivals held in Fukushima take place on the same weekend of the year, meaning that it’s pretty difficult to visit more than one per year! I have attended both Ouchi-juku and Tadami Snow Festivals (mentioned below) in the same day, but I would recommend taking your time at each festival instead of rushing between them.

For details, times and dates for all the 2025 winter festivals, see our dedicated guide.

AIZU PAINTED CANDLE FESTIVAL

Aizu Painted Candle Festival is when Oyakuen Garden really comes into its element, as the garden becomes 1 of 2 main stages during the 2 day festival period. The other stage is at Tsuruagajo Castle.

Oyakuen Garden often hosts live performances of traditional Japanese music during the evening during the festival. Tens of thousands of candles illuminate the castle and the garden over the 2 day festival period, creating absolutely stunning scenes as the sun sets.

This festival is held to celebrate the traditional craft of Aizu’s painted candles, which have been produced in the region for 500 years.

  • DATE: Second Friday and Saturday of February
  • LOCATION: Tsuruga-jo Castle Venue (Map) & Oyakuen Venue (Map)

HIGASHIYAMA ONSEN CANDLE FESTIVAL

Every evening from Christmas until around the end of February (depending on the amount of snow), Higashiyama Onsen town is filled with the lights of candles.

The lighting of these candles usually occurs between 16:00 to 18:00, so if you are staying in this onsen town during the winter, be sure to check it out.

  • DATE: Late December – Late February
  • LOCATION: Higashiyama Onsen, Aizu-Wakamatsu City (Map)

OUCHI-JUKU SNOW FESTIVAL

Ouchi-juku’s Snow Festival features traditional Japanese performances, an incredible firework show, and a town that feels like it still exists in the Edo Period, illuminated solely by the light of lanterns made of snow. There are plenty of nearby onsen ryokan where you can warm up & stay overnight at the end of the evening. Not much beats that for a snow festival, does it?

  • DATE: Second weekend of February
  • LOCATION: Ouchi-juku, Shimogo Town

TADAMI SNOW FESTIVAL

This snow festival is the largest in Fukushima Prefecture. Often welcoming special guests (such as Kumamon) this snow festival features snow sculptures, igloos, places for kids to play, and lots of traditional crafts and tasty food to check out. Oh, and also a fantastic fireworks show.

  • DATE: Second Saturday and Sunday of February
  • LOCATION:Tadami Eki Mae Hiroba (JR只見駅前広場) (Map)

3) PICK-YOUR-OWN STRAWBERRIES IN SOMA CITY

Soma area is well known for its bright-coloured, juicy strawberries. I’ve been lucky enough to try some in my office when visitors have brought them as gifts for my colleagues, but I really want to go to Soma and pick some strawberries of my own!


4) ATTEND CRAFT FESTIVALS (SHIRAKAWA CITY, IWAKI CITY)

SHIRAKAWA DARUMA MARKET

Daruma are good luck charms originating from Buddhism. It is a common new year’s traditional in Japan to buy a daruma soon after the start of the new year. After purchasing a daruma, you should think carefully and decide on 1 wish or goal that you want to achieve during the year. Then, draw in the daruma’s left eye (or right eye if you are facing it), and then draw in the other eye when your wish or goal is completed.

700 stalls selling daruma standing along a 1.5km long street in central Shirakawa City during the Shirakawa Daruma Market. There are 18 different varieties of daruma to choose from, all looking for a loving home and an owner to give them a goal or wish to look after!

  • DATE: Held annually on February 11
  • LOCATION: The main street in front of Shirakawa Station that runs parallel to the train line.

IWAKI TSURUSHI BINA FESTIVAL

This festival was started in recent years as a way of celebrating the Nakanosaku district of Iwaki City, and rejuvenating the area. During the festival, hundreds of decorative items hand-made by local people from chirimen fabric – the fabric used to create kimonos – are displayed and sold over a period of 2days.

These Tsurushi Bina decorations are traditionally given to young girls on Girls’ Day, in March. They come in all shapes and sizes, but in Fukushima I have seen lots of decorations shaped like animals and vegetables.

This festival represents a rare opportunity to see so many of these beautiful, painstakingly handmade decorations in one place, so I really want to go check it out next year.

  • DATE: Early February
  • LOCATION:清航館, Nakanosaku, Iwaki City (Map)
  • ENTRANCE FEE:100 yen

5) HIT THE SKI SLOPES

This year I really hope I get to try out skiing in Fukushima Prefecture.

There are so many different ski areas spread all over the huge prefecture, from the relatively temperate slopes in Inawashiro, where skiiers are blessed with a view of Lake Inawashiro as they descend down the slopes, to the deep snow country of Hinoemata.

Aizu Ski Japan is a really good English-language website to use as a resource for getting to grips with the type of ski areas available in the prefecture.


6) GO WAKASAGI (SMELT) FISHING

Rent out a tent at the centre of Lake Hibara in Urabandai, make a hole in the ice in front of you, and try out smelt fishing this winter!

There are a number of different companies that take visitors out onto the lake during the winter months, when smelt fishing is allowed to take place, but it may be a little difficult to try this out if you don’t speak Japanese. Rental costs all depend on the individual company or organisation.

  • LOCATION: Lake Hibara (Map)

7) WATCH THE SUN RISE ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

This beautiful spot on the coast of Iwaki City is a very special place for local people, especially fisherman, who visit Hattachi Coast on New Year’s Day to show their faith to the Buddha of Hattachi Yakushi.

The Hattachi Coast is one of many places on the coast of Fukushima that was devastated by the 2011 tsunami, and is therefore a very bittersweet place for many locals. It has not lost its spiritual hold over visitors though, or its breathtaking scenery.

A seriously beautiful spot for those who like photography, and those who would like to make connections with local folk from Iwaki during the early hours of the new year.

  • LOCATION: Hattachi Coast, Iwaki City (Map)

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    The Guide to Every Fukushima Festival

    Many visitors to Japan plan their trips to arrive in spring or autumn, and that’s very understandable; some of Japan’s best scenery can be enjoyed during April’s cherry blossom season or the beautiful autumn colours in October and November.But when friends or family ask me which I prefer, I have a different answer - for a chance at a genuinely unique Japan experience, you should base the timing of your trip around going to a major festival.Japanese festivals, routinely held once a year, are often grand showy events centred on some historical event or cultural phenomenon. They bring local people together and often function more like big parties, fostering a sense of community. Some of my favourite memories in Japan come from festivals, trying different food stalls or watching performances that can’t be seen any other time of the year.With that in mind, I went to every single major Fukushima festival (and some minor ones), and here is everything you need to know. Or: scroll to the bottom for my top picks of the can’t-miss events.(in chronological order: dates shown are the upcoming edition of the festival where known)Nanokado Hadaka Mairi Festival7 January every yearTranslating roughly as ‘the naked shrine visit on the 7th January’, this festival kicks the calendar year off in style. In the heart of winter in chilly Yanaizu Town, a group of men in nothing but loincloths climb hundreds of steps to the historic Enzoji Temple. Here, they climb a single rope to the top of the shrine, honouring an old legend of a community that banded together against a powerful dragon.The festival has a fantastic atmosphere, with crowds of people packing into Enzoji Temple’s small central hall to watch the chaos. Taking photos and videos is allowed, although it can get a little frantic, and tripods can’t be used in the main hall. Visitors can also participate, assuming they apply in advance.Also nearby: Tadami River Bridge No.1, Chansey Park Yanaizu, akabeko paintingAizu-Misato and Aizu-Bange Bale-Pulling Festivals11 January & 14 JanuaryHeld on the same dates every year, these raucous festivals centre around a great tug-of-war over a massive hay bale. Townspeople split into teams of two - east and west - and compete in three contests, with the winners said to predict whether business will prosper (east) or there will be a bountiful harvest (west).The Aizu-Bange festival, the later of the two, sees participants compete in loincloths, something of a running theme with Fukushima’s winter festivals.Iwaki Tsurushi-bina Matsuri1 week, late January - early FebruaryTaking place in the Nakanosaku area of Iwaki, located in the southeastern part of the prefecture, this event is the ideal time to explore the port town. Visitors can enjoy vibrant exhibitions of handcrafted dolls and traditional folk art made from chirimen fabric, commonly used in kimono making.The centerpiece of the event is at Seikokan, a historic residence where more than 3,000 fabric dolls are suspended from the eaves.On weekends, the area also features various stalls selling food and local goods.Also nearby: Fukushima Aquamarine, Shiramizu Amidado TempleAizu Painted Candle FestivalEarly FebruaryAlthough cancelled in 2025 due to heavy snow, Tsurugajo Castle and the nearby pleasant garden of Oyaku-en are lit up every year with tens of thousand of candles, some in gorgeous wooden cases or bamboo lanterns carved by talented local craftsmen. The beautiful night scenery makes for unforgettable photos, and the event combines well with the next two festivals, which take place on the same weekend.Ouchi-juku Snow FestivalEarly FebruaryDancing and drumming performances. Fireworks. Eating contests. Food stalls. And finally, a procession of men in loincloths marching through the snow with flaming torches. The Ouchi-juku Snow Festival is like several festivals rolled into one, taking place in one of Japan’s most scenic traditional villages.A community event first and foremost, this is an excellent event for families since most events feature some kind of crowd interaction, such as joining the dancing or drumming groups on stage to try the activity yourself. For some visitors the torch procession and fireworks display will be the main reason to go; the procession typically starts at 5pm, the fireworks at 6pm.Visitors may choose to stay at a nearby onsen town like Yunokami Onsen or Ashinomaki Onsen, but do keep in mind that bookings around festival time fill up quite quickly for these areas.Tadami Snow FestivalEarly FebruaryMost famous for its massive ice sculptures and projection mapping, the Tadami Snow Festival is the biggest event of the year for the small town of Tadami in western Fukushima. Like its older brother at Ouchi-juku, you can expect fireworks, food stalls and local crafts for sale.The event takes place in front of Tadami Station. Visitors travelling by car should be aware that heavy snow is possible and roads in the Tadami area can be narrow.Also nearby: Tadami River Bridge No.1 ViewpointShirakawa Daruma Market11 February every yearDaruma dolls, known as traditional symbols of good fortune, are closely associated with Shirakawa City, home to two prominent workshops where visitors can observe skilled artisans at work. Each year on February 11th, the city hosts this lively market that draws in thousands of people.The event features a vibrant atmosphere, with more than 500 stalls to explore. Daruma dolls are available in 18 different sizes; according to tradition, you fill in the left eye of the daruma while making a wish, and then complete the right eye once your wish comes true.Mt. Shinobu Waraji Procession - 'Akatsuki Mairi'Third Saturday of FebruaryThe ‘Akatsuki Mairi’ procession is a partner event of August’s major Waraji Festival, in which squads of locals carry massive sandals in honour of a deity said to protect farm workers. Here in mid-February, a similar crew come together – with anyone welcome to register and join – to carry the great sandal up to Haguro Shrine atop Mt. Shinobu.Previously the event was held on a weekday, but from 2025 was moved to the third Saturday of February to encourage more carriers for the giant sandal. I participated in 2025 and found it to be a fun community event with a great energy - albeit my shoulder was sore for about a week afterwards!Cherry Blossom FestivalsAprilFukushima is famous for its abundance of excellent cherry blossom areas – in fact, when we made our Google Maps list of notable spots, we were stunned at how many places you can see astonishing vistas throughout April and May. Given the prefecture’s massive width, you can see blossoms at full bloom somewhere in Fukushima for about six weeks in a row.Several of these famous cherry blossom spots around the prefecture hold cherry blossom ‘festivals’, typically involving late-night illuminations and food stalls. These include: Tsurugajo Castle, Kannonjigawa River in Inawashiro, the Nicchusen weeping cherry blossoms in Kitakita City, and the Yonomori sakura road in Tomioka Town.Soma Nomaoi FestivalLate MayThe Soma samurai clan once ruled the eastern part of Fukushima on the backs of their famous cavalry divisions, and the region has a rich horse-rearing heritage, celebrated in the yearly Soma Nomaoi Festival. Though taking place over three days, the main day of the festival is the middle day, which features a horseback parade through town by warriors in full armour.The main event takes place at the central horse-racing grounds, where the armoured samurai go head-to-head in several high-paced races, while there is also a contest to catch falling flags launched by fireworks. The whole event is impressive for its scale and prestige, with hundreds of samurai of all ages taking part in the parade.Also nearby: Soma Nakamura ShrineAizu-Tajima Gion Festival22 - 24 July 2025Based in Minami-Aizu, this long-standing festival, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, boasts a history spanning more than 800 years. A central attraction is the elegant parade of women clad in traditional Japanese bridal attire as they proceed toward the town’s central shrine. Another notable feature is the kabuki theater performed by local children, which adds to the festival’s charm.Aizu-Tajima is accessible directly from Asakusa Station in Tokyo via the Aizu Revaty express train (3 hours).Lake Numazawa Festival (Kaneyama Town)2 - 3 August 2025Held on the first Saturday and Sunday of August, the Lake Numazawa festival re-enacts an old folk tale that a dragon once lived in this mysterious lake and was defeated by a local man over 800 years ago. This is a charming event taking place in a beautiful locale, with fireworks displays in the evening on both days.Also nearby: Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba viewpointWaraji Matsuri / Sandal Festival2 - 3 August 2025Fukushima City’s main festival for the year, this sprawling event sees a long dancing procession throughout the city streets, with dozens of different food stalls. Local interest groups and companies send delegations - including a group of largely overseas residents of the city - that perform the historic ‘Waraji dance’ on the way towards Fukushima Station.Possibly most striking is the huge straw sandal, which leads the procession with a single rider atop it, and is occasionally spun or tossed into the air by a crew of local university students.The festival has a fun atmosphere, is easily accessible from Tokyo, and is the only festival you’ll find in Japan that centres around a giant sandal!Also nearby: Iizaka Onsen, Fruit Line fruit pickingAizu Festival19 - 21 September 2025The Aizu Festival features drumming and food stalls on night one, before the main event the following day of a grand samurai procession through the town by local people, dressed as great samurai lords and their retainers. Overseas guests can join as samurai too - learn more here. Visually, this is one of the prefecture’s most striking festivals, since the lords’ parade begins at Tsurugajo Castle and winds its way through the entire city.Also nearby: Oyaku-en traditional garden, Sazaedo TempleKenka Matsuri (Iizaka Onsen Fighting Festival)Early OctoberIizaka Onsen is a beautiful hot spring town with a calming atmosphere. But one night a year, all the neighbourhoods bring lantern floats filled with drummers to Hachiman Shrine and slam into one another, intending to determine the strongest local clan for the year. The main part of the festival takes place on the Saturday night, when the floats parade through the streets on their way to the shrine.With a serious ‘fight feel’ in the air, a wide variety of food stalls, and a unique main event, this was the best time I had at a festival all year. It does gets very busy though, so I actually recommend skipping the parade and heading straight to the shrine to get a good spot.Also nearby: Kyu Horikiri-tei traditional residence, Nakano Fudoson TempleNihonmatsu Lantern FestivalEarly OctoberThe pleasant town of Nihonmatsu sits between Fukushima and Koriyama, making it something of a sleepy commuter town. On the first weekend of October every year, the town holds its Lantern Festival, in which seven giant floats parade through the town, filled with pounding drummers and decorated with flickering lanterns. All seven floats are only together on the first day of the festival, typically Saturday, then separate on Sunday, then they’re split into groups of three and four for the Monday.For its combination of great atmosphere, great visuals and great performances, this is one of the festivals you absolutely shouldn’t miss. The festival does overlap with the Saturday main event of Kenka Matsuri; in the past I have gone to Kenka Matsuri on the Saturday, then seen the lantern floats (divided into three and four) on the following Monday.Also nearby: Kasumigajo Castle Park, Mt. Adatara, Extreme Onsen challengeTaimatsu Akashi (Torch Festival)Early NovemberWatching the 21 torches of Sukagawa City’s Torch Festival burn to a thunderous chorus of drums and chanting students - Taimatsu Akashi is a festival experience unlike many others in Japan. 20 of the torches are brought by local schools, who form squads to cheer on their torch, while the one huge Dai-taimatsu torch - standing 10 metres tall and weighing 3 tonnes - burns at the forefront. This biggest torch is paraded through town by a multi-national crew in the early evening, with other festivities held throughout the city, but the main event is the lighting of the torches from 6.30pm.Kohata Flag FestivalFirst weekend of DecemberA charming community event in a suburb of Nihonmatsu, the Kohata Flag Festival sees local people coming together to carry a procession of massive, colourful flags to Okitsushima Shrine at the top of Mt. Kohata. The walk takes several hours and you’ll definitely feel like you’ve gotten some exercise, but you’ll also get to see a beautiful part of rural Japan and meet with its friendly residents. Wearing footwear suitable for hiking and bringing snacks or a small lunch is recommended.I wrote more about my experience in Kohata here.My Main RecommendationsFukushima has a huge number of festivals, with every town, city and village holding at least one major event throughout the year. But if I had to prioritise only the best of the best, the ones I found to be an absolute must-visit, my suggestions would be:January: Nanokado Hadaka Mairi (Naked man rope climb)February: Ouchi-juku snow festival (Fireworks, flaming torch parade)May: Soma Nomaoi Festival (Samurai horse racing)September: Aizu Festival (Samurai parade)October: Kenka Matsuri (Fighting festival in an onsen town)October: Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival (Parade of lantern floats)November: Taimatsu Akashi (Burning torch festival)Have any questions about logistics or event details? Email us at i-info@tif.ne.jp or use our contact form.

    The Guide to Every Fukushima Festival
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    Ebisu Drift Festival: A Total Guide

    Ebisu Drift Festival, also known as the Ebisu Drift Matsuri, is a two-day extravaganza of drifting that takes place three times a year - spring, summer and autumn - at the world-famous Ebisu Circuit in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima. It's open for anyone to join, either as a driver, passenger or a spectator.In addition to drifting seven courses freely over the course of two days, this is your chance to join a dedicated community, from amateurs to pros, who turn up in huge numbers every year to experience drifting in the heartland of northern Japan.Looking to visit the circuit and experience the festival yourself? Here's everything you need to know:What is the Ebisu Drift Matsuri?Located halfway between charming Nihonmatsu City and the dominating Mt. Adatara to the west, the Ebisu Circuit runs racing events throughout the year. But none is more popular than the Drift Matsuri, typically held in April, August and November.For reference, here are the Ebisu Drift Matsuri dates for 2025: Spring: April 19th & 20th (Sat/Sun) Summer: August 23rd & 24th (Sat/Sun) Autumn: November 15th & 16th (Sat/Sun)The G1GP, a drifting competition held exclusively for overseas visitors, is held on the Friday night preceding the weekend.AccessWhile 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. Be aware that the circuit is quite spread out, and although it's possible to walk from course to course, the elevation can be extremely steep in places. Using a car is recommended, and especially one with enough power to get up steep slopes.TicketsFor the 2025 spring edition, I arrived shortly after gates opened at 8.00am and there was already a queue forming outside the complex. (Volunteer staff were on hand to direct traffic.) Shortly after I arrived, a second lane was opened, and after that the line moved quickly into the circuit.As a non-driver, I paid 3,000 yen - this was 2,500 yen for a spectator ticket, plus 500 yen to cover insurance for possible ridealongs. Full-face helmets are required for all drivers and passengers and can be rented at the course. I received a green spectator wristband, which the staff ask you to keep on for the duration of the weekend. (Children's tickets are 1,200 yen.)Tickets to enter the festival as a driver are 20,000 yen online in advance (see the Ebisu Drift Circuit website in Japanese for more information) or 25,000 yen at the gate. Drivers receive a red wristband, without which you are unable to enter the track, plus a large seal which must be affixed somewhere visible on the car such as a rear window.How many courses are there?The Ebisu circuit is a massive complex with several excellent tracks. Times are accurate as of the 2025 spring festival.Kita (North): One of the most popular circuits throughout the weekend and one of the best for getting up close to the action. Cars roaring down the back stretch whizz past mere inches from the watching spectators. This course is open from 9am until midnight on the Saturday night, making it a popular spot to watch those brave enough to drift in near darkness. 07:00 - 16:00 Sunday.Car parking at North course has priority given to drivers - spectators should find space on the road or in the lots on the slope.Nishi (West): Traditionally a track for grip racing, Nishi also features a famous short course that sees long drift trains in the final hour of Sunday (approx. from 3pm). 09:00 - 16:00 both days.Higashi (East): A long grip racing track that is only available for drifting during the festival. Also features the main circuit office. 09:00 - 22:00 Saturday, 09:00 - 16:00 Sunday.Minami (South): Formerly a famous drift track, the south course is now a 'slide park'. 09:00 - 16:00 both days.Touge: This mountainous course is notorious for its tight bends, narrow track and elevation changes. This is less traversed during the festival and known as less beginner-friendly. 09:00 - 16:00 Saturday, 07:00 - 16:00 Sunday.School Course: A wide, open short course perfect for practising tandem technique or warming up.'Kuru Kuru Land': Two skid pads located on the road to Nishi course where drivers often go to practise donuts.Things to Do While You're in TownNihonmatsu is a beautiful area famous for its lush nature and traditional Japanese architecture. Here are some ideas for side trips: Hike the gorgeous Mt. Adatara and see the incredible view from the summit. Especially striking in November during autumn colour season. Attempt the Extreme Onsen challenge, climbing an active volcano to soak in a real hot spring river Visit Kasumigajo Castle Park, an excellent spot in cherry blossom season (usually blooming around spring festival dates) or in autumn. Mid-October to mid-November there is a famous flower festival where mannequins are layered with chrysanthemums. Sample sake for free at Himonoya brewery Make traditional washi paper at a real craftsman's workshop (great for families!) Take in the ethereal atmosphere at Ryusenji Temple Head to Dake Onsen, a hot spring town known for its tunnel of cherry blossoms and onsen optionsOther Tips and TricksHere are some other pieces of advice I picked up during my trip: Everyone is extremely friendly and happy to chat! Where possible, I tried to ask for permission before taking photos or videos of cars, though this is probably not necessary. Cars for the festival can be rented at the Sideways Experience, a drift school based at North Course. Equally you can buy from Power Vehicles, a trusted dealer and mechanic based on the road towards Touge and Higashi courses, who will offer support and repairs with any issues. The circuit is famous for its lack of hard rules, but there are a couple: no drinking and driving, and drivers should obey yellow and red flags from the circuit staff. Your wristband is valid for the whole weekend and re-entry is possible. The circuit is connected to a local zoo, so the track restaurant is safari-themed and serves common Japanese fare like curries and noodle dishes. There's a gas station on site, or across the road from the front gate.More information: Getting to Fukushima Top 10 Things to Do in Fukushima Cultural activities in Fukushima

    Ebisu Drift Festival: A Total Guide
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    Top 10 Things to Do in Fukushima Prefecture

    Welcome to Fukushima! As the third-largest prefecture in Japan, split into three distinct regions, there is no shortage of interesting options to make your trip worthwhile.In this article, we’ll break down the most popular spots, and give our recommendations for the absolute best of the best Fukushima has to offer.Follow us on Instagram for the latest information.1. Tsurugajo Castle, Aizu-Wakamatsu CityFormerly the site of one of the last great battles of the samurai era, the red-tiled fortress of Tsurugajo Castle was the centre of power for the Aizu Domain, a great clan of warriors who ruled this part of Japan until 1868.Though the main keep has undergone several rebuilds and refurbishments over the years, its signature reddish roof tiles are unique among Japanese castles. The interior houses a museum teaching visitors about the Aizu clan, with displays in Japanese and English, while the top floor offers wide-ranging views over the surrounding city.The castle grounds are also a busy spot in spring, when dozens of cherry trees bloom at once, and again in autumn, when trees of red and gold are illuminated in the evening.Nearby, the Tsurugajo Kaikan visitors’ center provides outstanding shopping options, including local snacks, gifts and sake, as well as kimono rental services. Visitors can also paint an akabeko here, one of the Aizu region’s most beloved toys, and an unofficial mascot of the area.2. Ouchi-juku, Shimogo TownSamurai travelling between Tsurugajo Castle and the historical capital of Edo (Tokyo) often stopped here at Ouchi-juku to rest and recover. The traditional thatched-roof village, located in Shimogo Town, is popular year-round for its tranquil atmosphere. The rows of houses, meanwhile, have been well-preserved for hundreds of years – many are restaurants serving local specialties, or stalls selling folk art or snacks.Although there is something unique about the village in any season, the area is at its busiest in winter, when the thatched roofs are laden with snow and snow sculpture lanterns light the paths. This is also the time of the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival, a major event in February featuring dancing, community games and a flaming torch parade.3. Goshikinuma Ponds, Kitashiobara VillageFormed in 1888 by the steam explosion of nearby Mt. Bandai, ‘Goshikinuma’ refers to the many volcanic ponds that can be found in Urabandai, an area of astonishing natural beauty. The colours of the water are known to differ even from day to day; a vibrant blue on Monday may have shifted to a brilliant emerald green by Tuesday.Perhaps most-visited is Bishamon-numa (pictured above), a good starting point known for its gorgeous red-leaved foliage in autumn. Visitors can take a gentle hike around the water’s edge, see koi fish, and take a rowboat ride on the water in small groups.4. Lake InawashiroAs Japan’s fourth-largest lake, Inawashiro is so massive it can be seen from space. In summer the great lake is used for water sports like wakeboarding, while in winter it’s common to see flocks of migrating swans at the water’s edge. Since three of Fukushima’s main ski resorts are based nearby – more on that below – a trip here combines well with a ski holiday, or with a visit to the Goshikinuma Ponds in autumn.The lake and its nearby mountain scenery can be seen by a nautical sightseeing tour, with two large boats – one swan and one turtle – leaving from the north dock multiple times a day. There are several campgrounds on all sides of the lake, and even a Finnish-style lakeside sauna that can be rented for those brave enough to dip in the water in winter.5. Ride the Tadami LineOne of Japan’s most scenic train lines, the Tadami Line takes passengers west from Aizu-Wakamatsu City all the way through the stunning Oku-Aizu region, and eventually into Niigata Prefecture.This is perhaps the best way to get to Yanaizu, a historic little town famous for its akabeko character and the majestic Enzoji Temple. It also features one of the four Chansey Parks, based around Fukushima’s official support Pokemon.Not only does the railway stop at several scenic areas, but the train itself is also the subject of breathtaking photos from the viewpoints at Mishima (Tadami River Bridge No.1, pictured above) and Kaneyama (Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba).This is also how many visitors choose to get to the ethereal Mugenkyo ferry crossing, within walkable distance of Hayato Station on this line.Find out more about the Tadami Line here.6. Learn about Fukushima’s disaster recoveryFukushima’s east coast was severely affected by the ‘triple disaster’ in March 2011 – earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. This led to many people having to evacuate their homes, some for several years. Even now, nearly fifteen years later, revitalisation efforts are ongoing in many places with the support of proud, warm-hearted communities who are keen to welcome new guests.If you’re looking to learn more about the 2011 disaster and support the region’s recovery, many visitors choose to visit the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum in Futaba. This modern museum, completed in 2020, tells the story of Fukushima residents before, during and after the disaster, as well as exploring the ways modern technology can aid in disaster relief.Read our example itinerary here, and learn more about safety in Fukushima here.7. Go to a festivalTiming your visit to coincide with a festival is a surefire way to ensure a lasting memory of your time in Japan. Most towns in Japan have at least one yearly festival, often in summer, but there are also bigger festivals themed around certain historical events. In almost every case, festivals are a good place to hang out with friends and eat street food, while many have a cultural showcase of some kind or a fireworks display.(From left to right: Iizaka Fighting Festival, Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival, Taimatsu Akashi Torch Festival)If you’re looking to visit one of Fukushima’s biggest festivals, here are perhaps the most famous: Soma Nomaoi (May): horse racing in samurai armour Aizu Festival (September): samurai in full regalia parade through the streets (and you can join!) Iizaka Fighting Festival (October): massive floats crash into one another in an onsen town Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival (October): a parade of beautiful floats covered in lanterns Taimatsu Akashi Torch Festival (November): 20 huge torches are lit ablaze and burn through the nightReaching the top of Mt. Issaikyo rewards climbers with stellar views8. Experience incredible natureSince Fukushima is so massive, it’s easy to find somewhere to get away from the crowds of bigger cities and enjoy your trip at a slower pace in the countryside. Depending on the season, there’s always a spectacular photo spot worth visiting. For example:Cherry blossoms Fukushima’s sheer size means it experiences several cherry blossom seasons, separated by region. It usually starts with Iwaki City in the south-east in early April and ends in the mountainous west of Tadami as late as mid-May.The most popular spots include Hanamiyama, a valley that turns a vibrant pink and yellow, and Miharu Takizakura, a gigantic single cherry blossom tree over 1,000 years old.Check our dedicated cherry blossom guide, or our Google Maps list for more.Autumn coloursWith multiple locales that rank at the top of Tohoku’s best foliage lists, autumn is an excellent time to visit Fukushima. Most leaves are at their best in late October into early or mid November, depending on the region.The Goshikinuma Ponds are possibly the most striking autumn scenery, and some people even plan their whole trip around getting autumn photos here.Elsewhere, several shrines are well-known for their vibrant colours, such as Hanitsu Shrine in Inawashiro with its picturesque vista of red leaves, or the massive yellow gingko tree at Shingu Kumano Shrine in Kitakata.See our Google Maps list for more options.HikingAs a mountainous region, the central plinth of Fukushima offers several excellent hiking options for all levels. Day-trippers looking to stretch their legs will enjoy Mt. Azuma-Kofuji, a 45-minute walk around a crater offering splendid views over Fukushima City on a clear day, while peaks like Mt. Adatara or Mt. Issaikyo provide more of a robust challenge to intermediate climbers.Those looking for a change of pace may be interested in the Extreme Onsen challenge, where a tour guide escorts you up the volcanic back trails of Mt. Adatara to bathe in a real hot spring river. (Changing facilities are provided and a swimsuit is required.)9. SkiingThere are around 20 ski resorts in Fukushima Prefecture, ranging from small regional resorts to huge super-resorts with multiple courses for all levels. The quality of snow and variety of courses is comparable to other major resorts around Japan, but lift pass fees are typically lower and queues for lifts are typically shorter.Three of the biggest resorts are based in the Inawashiro region around Mt. Bandai: Nekoma Mountain, previously two resorts merged into one massive ski complex EN Resorts Grandeco, famous for its hotel where guests can ski directly to the first gondola lift Inawashiro Ski Resort, a large resort which offers free lift passes on weekdays.See our ski guide for more about these resorts.10. CuisineJapan’s fantastic food culture is one of the best reasons to visit Japan, and Fukushima is no different. You’ll find something delicious no matter where you visit in the prefecture.Regional specialties include: Ramen, especially ‘ramen heartland’ Kitakata City with its over 100 restaurants Sauce katsudon, breaded pork and sauce over rice in the Aizu region Enban gyoza, dumplings served direct from a circular pan to provide extra crispinessThe Fukushima Fruit Line, in the northwest of Fukushima City, is a row of over 20 orchards, many of which offer all-you-can-eat fruit picking experiences year-round. Long picking seasons ensure there is always something to pick whenever you visit – although peaches are most popular in July and August.Fukushima’s sake reputation is also stellar, with its products routinely receiving gold standard certifications at Japan’s major sake awards. There are several places to take a tour of a brewery and sample the local products, such as Yamatogawa, Homare or Suehiro.Looking for more information? Check out our: Access guide for getting to Fukushima Itineraries page for trip ideas Activities page for tour experiences with English support

    Top 10 Things to Do in Fukushima Prefecture
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