Natsuigawa Valley

Natsuigawa Valley

Natsuigawa Valley continues 15 km along JR Ban-etsu East Line. In autumn, the train passes the valley at a slow speed so that passengers can enjoy the awesome views from its windows. The beautiful view of the waterfalls and clear streams meandering through rocks is definitely worth seeing.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/spot/10221
Contact

Iwaki Tourism and City Planning Bureau

(+81) 246-44-6545

Best Season
  • Summer
  • Autumn
ParkingAvailable ( Please park at the Natsuigawa Valley Campsite Parking Lot)
Related infoAutumn Leaf Season: From late Oct. to mid-Nov.
Access Details
AccessEda, Ogawamachi Kamiogawa, Iwaki City, Fukushima Pref. 979-3124
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 30 min drive from Iwaki-Chuo I.C. exit off the Joban Expressway. Please park at the Natsuigawa Valley Campsite Parking Lot (Address and location shown above)

By Train: Short walk from Eda Station (JR Ban-etsu East Line). The Nishiki Lookout is about 40 min on foot from Eda Station.

Related trips

  1. Adventure

    The Coast of Fukushima

    Refresh yourself along the coast of Fukushima with this one-day plan, which includes three of Iwaki's best spots. You can enjoy these places any time of the year, so it’s perfect to fit into your pre-existing travel plans. Start out at Iwaki Station and make your way down to Aquamarine Fukushima. This beautiful aquarium and aquatic museum will take your breath away with its amazing exhibits of sea creatures and habitats. Let your imagination run free as you walk through the interior and discover something new everywhere you look. After you’ve finished at Aquamarine Fukushima, make your way to Shiramizu Amidado Temple. This temple is a National Treasure of Japan and was first commissioned by a princess. It has a unique history and the atmosphere lends itself well to relaxation and introspection. Once you’ve found inner peace, head over to Natsuigawa Valley. The pristine river waters and cool countryside breeze will relax your body and rejuvenate your spirit. No matter where you turn to, the coastal area of Fukushima is sure to astound you. This plan is best enjoyed by renting a car from Iwaki Station.

    The Coast of Fukushima

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
History & Culture

Hozoji Temple

Hozoji Temple is one of the oldest and most historically significant temples in the Soma region, known for its vivid autumn colours. According to tradition, it was founded in 801 AD by the military commander Sakanoue no Tamuramaro as a place to pray for success in his eastern campaigns.Although detailed records from its earliest centuries have largely been lost, the temple’s existence is attested in a few surviving documents from the 10th to 13th centuries, indicating its long-standing presence in the area. Over time, Hozoji Temple became closely tied to the spiritual life of the region and continued to develop through periods of reconstruction and renewal.The temple grounds are known for their natural beauty, especially the large fir trees - some over 400 years old - and numerous maple trees that grow throughout the property. These maples have long been admired for their striking autumn colors, and historical accounts suggest that generations of Soma clan lords once visited the temple to enjoy the seasonal foliage.In addition to its autumn scenery, the temple is also home to several varieties of cherry blossoms that bloom even during the colder months, offering visitors a chance to experience seasonal landscapes throughout the year.Architecturally, Hozoji Temple reflects the layers of its long history. The Niomon Gate, constructed in 1647 by Soma Yoshitane, the second-generation leader of the Soma clan, is one of the site’s most notable surviving structures.Today, Hozoji continues to attract visitors, photographers, and locals who come to enjoy both its historical atmosphere and its natural surroundings. In recent years, an evening illumination event held during the autumn foliage season has become a popular way to experience the temple’s grounds in a different light. The illuminations are typically held across one weekend in late November (for reference, the 2025 illuminations took place on the three-day weekend of 22-24 November.)
The World Glassware Hall
History & Culture

Hattachi-Yakushi Temple

In the year 806, the holy priest Tokuichi constructed Hattachi-Yakushi Temple as a place of worship for the Buddhist deity who has the ability to ensure the safe voyage of seafarers. The temple grounds are extremely beautiful in spring when the hydrangeas bloom, earning the temple the local nickname ‘Hydrangea Temple’. In front of Hattachi-Yakushi Temple is Bentenjima Island and Shrine, and the Hattachi Coastline, which connects the mainland with the island. The Hattachi Coast is covered in unique gravel, which has traditionally been thought to have healing properties. However, removing a stone and bringing it home can have the opposite effect.

The World Glassware Hall
Gourmet & Shopping

Café Amazon Kawauchi

Café Amazon Kawauchi is a modern cafe and restaurant located only 350 meters away from the Tenzan Bunko Museum. Café Amazon has over 1500 restaurants abroad, and serves Asian food and coffee.This was the first Café Amazon restaurant in Japan, opened to help reinvigorate Kawauchi, attract visitors and, of course, serve delicious Thai dishes!In 2016, following extensive revitalization efforts, all restrictions were lifted in Kawauchi village, which had had to be evacuated in 2011 following the nuclear accident. Kawauchi is now is a quiet, green village surrounded by mountains and streams, home to a few thousand people.But because the village had remained uninhabited for some time, the only coffee shop there had closed, and, left without a local hub, it seemed difficult for the community to rekindle—that’s when Thai restaurant chain Café Amazon stepped in.Café Amazon Kawauchi has a warm and light wooden interior (built using wood from Fukushima!), as well as a piano and guitar you can play freely. You can sit indoors or outdoors on a wooden deck.Café Amazon Kawauchi isn’t only a coffee shop, it’s a fundamental part of the reconstruction of Kawauchi village, a meeting place for both locals and visitors.
Discover Coastal Area

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