Exploring Fukushima's Three Areas and Top Ten Must-Visit Tourist Attractions
Fukushima prefecture is often associated with the tragic 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster. But there's more to this prefecture than just its bleak past. It's located in the southernmost part of the Tohoku region and is known as the gateway to Tohoku. Despite its sinister reputation, Fukushima is the third largest prefecture in Japan by area, following Hokkaido and Iwate. Let's delve into the wicked, wild, and wonderful sides of Fukushima's three main regions: Aizu, Naka-dori, and Hama-dori.
Aizu Region: Snow-Covered Samurai Castle Towns
The Aizu region is situated in the western part of Fukushima Prefecture. Due to its climate, summers are cooler in the mountains and hotter in the basins. In the mountains, winters are harsh, with temperatures dropping and plenty of snowfall, especially in Hinoemata Village in Oku-Aizu, known for receiving two meters of snow annually.
You'll feel the eerie draw of a frozen time long past as you roam the streets and villages of Aizu, where samurai culture lives on. Frosted castles, ancient mansions, and well-preserved samurai schools offer a glimpse into a time long ago. The region was once home to the Aizu clan, and you can still feel their presence in the tourist spots dotted throughout the towns. Don't miss the Aizu Samurai Mansion(Bukeyashiki) and the Aizu clan school, Nisshinkan.
Naka-dori Region: Frightful Fruit and Scorching Hot Springs
The Nakadori region is located in the center of the prefecture between the Ou Mountains and the Abukuma Mountains. Being an inland basin, the climate varies greatly, with scorching-hot Summers and cool winters, followed by cold winds and snowfall.
Naka-dori has a darker side, too. It's rumored that in deep, hidden forests, dangerous creatures lurk, stealing away unsuspecting travelers. While we can't guarantee (or disclaim) the existence of these beasts, we do assure you of the region's delectable delights. Fukushima is known as the "fruit kingdom," and there's a road called the Fruit Line in Fukushima City where you can get lost in a Garden of Eden-like paradise, surrounded by countless fruit farms, tourist orchards, and shops.
The area also offers other temptations, such as the famous hot springs, like Iizaka Onsen in Fukushima City, one of the three famous hot springs in Oshu, and the secretive, almost forbidden, Take Onsen in Nihonmatsu City. These healing waters are said to have powerful mystical properties... though some claim they are cursed.
Hama-dori Region: Sinister Shores and Delicious Seafood
The Hamadori region lies on the east side of the prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean. Despite the region's coastal location, summers aren't excessively hot due to its proximity to the water. Winters are warm, and there's little snowfall. It can be hauntingly beautiful, with stormy seas that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Hama-dori is where you'll find some of the most delicious—and some say wicked—seafood in the whole of Japan. The Joban-mono in Iwaki City have earned renown from the Japanese seafood industry at Tsukiji Market, with their unique tastes and culinary secrets. Don't miss the Shioyazaki Lighthouse in Iwaki City, where you can witness the power of the sea firsthand. But beware, there are tales of ships appearing out of the fog, only to vanish without warning.
Adventurers and seekers of hidden truths will also want to explore Soma Nomaoi, a summer festival with age-old roots dating back over 1,000 years. Experience the intoxicating mix of ancient traditions and modern revelry as warriors ride through the city on horseback, armed with mythical weapons and invoking powerful spirits. Just be careful, as superstition has it that taking pebbles from the beach near Hattachi Beach could curse you with eye diseases.
Sightseeing Spots in Each Region
Aizu Region
- Ouchi-juku: A preserved post town along the old trade route, now a step back in time with its traditional thatched-roof buildings.
- Tsurugajo Castle: With its red-tiled keep, Tsurugajo stands as a symbol of Aizuwakamatsu, defying the march of time. The castle is also famous for its stunning cherry blossom viewing spots.
- Aizu Wakamatsu Tour: Delve deeper into Aizu's hauntingly beautiful small towns, medieval samurai residences, and historical site.
- Tenkyokaku: Conjuring tales of imperial lives and dreams, this stunning villa served as an inspiration for a period drama.
Naka-dori Region
- Tsuchiyu Hot Spring: Legend has it that these therapeutic waters hold a dark secret... but do they heal or curse? You be the judge.
- Fruitea Fukushima: Hop aboard this peculiar train for a voyage through a haunted landscape of orchards and mysterious farms.
- Licca Castle: Almost too cute to be true, this factory producing the iconic Licca doll offers workshops and tours that are as creepy as they are captivating.
- Ebisu Circuit: Prove your mettle on the track in this realm reserved for racing enthusiasts. But watch your back—competition is fierce, and legends speak of cursed machines.
Hama-dori Region
- Iwaki Lalamew: A seemingly ordinary seafood market with a dark undercurrent. Test your luck and indulge in delicious local delicacies.
- Soma Nomaoi: Feast your senses on the chaos of this whirlwind festival, filled with warriors, mystical rituals, and pageantry that defies explanation.
- Hattachi Beach: Stroll along the eerie shore, feeling the cold wind whip around you, and gaze upon the tragic history of a beach scarred by time.
- The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum: Stand on the precipice of tragedy as you witness the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and nuclear disaster that shook the world.
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Visit 2-Day Tour from Tokyo
Step into the heart of darkness and witness the grim reality of Japan's past on this unforgettable tour of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This 2-day tour will take you from the scene of the tragic disaster to the recovery efforts underway, allowing you to glimpse the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit.
Accessing Each Region by Train
- Aizu Region: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station and transfer to the Banetsu West Line for Aizuwakamatsu Station.
- Naka-dori Region: Head for Koriyama Station and connect to local trains.
- Hama-dori Region: Choose between direct trains or journeying via Sendai, with multiple connections along the way.
Embrace the darkness and discover the hidden secrets of the three haunting regions that makeup Fukushima Prefecture.
- Despite the sinister reputation of Fukushima prefecture, the Aizu region in its western part offers a glimpse into the past with frozen castles, ancient mansions, and well-preserved samurai schools.
- The Nakadori region, located in the center of the prefecture, features the Fruit Line, a road filled with countless fruit farms, tourist orchards, and shops, as well as famous hot springs like Iizaka Onsen and Take Onsen, said to have powerful mystical properties.
- The coastal Hamadori region is known for its wicked seafood, such as the unique Joban-mono in Iwaki City, and hauntingly beautiful shores. Adventurers can participate in the Soma Nomaoi summer festival, a 1,000-year-old tradition filled with ancient rituals and modern revelry.
- Sightseeing options in the Aizu region include Ouchi-juku, a preserved post town along the old trade route; Tsurugajo Castle, with its red-tiled keep; and Aizu Wakamatsu Tours, offering a deeper look into the region's history and small towns.
- The Naka-dori region offers tourist attractions like the Therapeutic Tsuchiyu hot spring, the peculiar Fruitea Fukushima train, the Licca Castle producing the iconic Licca doll, and the Ebisu Circuit race track, with its tales of cursed machines.
- The Hama-dori region boasts sightseeing spots like the Iwaki Lalamew seafood market, the chaotic Soma Nomaoi festival, Hatchi Beach with its questionable pebbles, and the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum, offering a stark reminder of the 2011 disaster. Travelers can access each region by train, with options for connecting at Koriyama Station for Aizu and Hama-dori and local trains for Nakadori.
