Fukushima is the most misunderstood prefecture in Japan, for obvious reasons. The mere mention of the word can be controversial, especially among people who have never been to Japan, or have little interest in going.
In some cases, however, even declared Japan enthusiasts react with puzzlement when I talk about my travels in Fukushima-ken. Which is a shame, given that it’s one of the most fascination and attraction-rich prefectures in the entire country.
No matter what your interest in Fukushima, or whether you’ve been in the past, I hope you’ll find my Fukushima travel guide useful. Shall we get started?
Where to Base Yourself in Fukushima
On the surface, you might only be browsing Fukushima hotels—i.e. hotels in Fukushima City, such as Hotel Sankyo and Richmond Hotel Fukushima Ekimae. Doing so would be a disservice, however, as much as I like the town. Fukushima is a huge prefecture, and you can base yourself in a variety of destinations, depending upon what sort of experience you want to have there.
If you want to stay somewhere urban and along the Shinkansen line, Koriyama might be a better choice, with hotels like Daiwa Roynet Hotel Koiryama Ekimae . Aizu-Wakamatsu is less convenient, but is a more self-contained destination, especially when considered in conjunction with nearby Ouchi-juku and the area around Lake Inawashiro and Mt. Bandai. I recommend a stay at the simple (but delightful) Tagoto.
What to Do in Fuksuhima
Enjoy spring flowers in Fukushima City
Fukushima City gets looked over a lot, as does larger Koriyama down the Shinkansen line. While I can’t say I love spending time directly in the centers of these cities, they are both close to amazing seasonal attractions. While in Fukushima-shi, you can head to Hanamiyama, a flower paradise that more than lives up to the English translation of its name “flower mountain.” Koriyama, meanwhile, is near the stunning Miharu Takizakura tree.
(And autumn colors in Ouchi-juku)
If you’re planning a Fukushima itinerary for autumn, you’ve got plenty of options then as well. One of the best ones is Ouchi-juku, a village that has some of the most vibrant koyo you’ll find anywhere in Japan. Best of all, it’s just one street, which means you can spend a couple of hours here, and then explore some of the other attractions in the area.
Go back in time in Aizu-Wakamatsu
Such as the city of Aizu-Wakamatsu, which is where you’ll likely sleep if you take this trip. Top attractions here include the octogonal Sazae-do temple and red-roofed Tsuruga Castle. I also highly recommend sitting down for a bowl of “sauce” katsu. As its name suggests, this dish is a…well, saucy take on katsudon, a rice bowl topped with a delicious fried pork cutlet.
Marvel at scenery along the Bandai-Azuma skyline
Many a Fukushima travel blog make mention of the Mt. Bandai (which you can see rising over Aizu-Wakamatsu), but few explain the the details of what to do along the road that connects it to Koriyama, the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. Some of my favorite options (especially in autumn) include admiring the jewel-toned Goshiki-numa ponds, and relaxing along the shores of Lake Inawashiro.
Drive along Fukushima’s “forbidden” coast
Although the expressway that connects Soma (along the northern coast of Fukushima-ken) with Iwaki (in the south) has radiation meters, anywhere you’re allowed to go is completely safe. Well, for radiation. Indeed, whether at Matsukawa-ura (a bay where, in spring, sakura and matsu or pine combine right above the sea) or at somewhere less celebrated, Fukushima’s “forbidden” coast is a treasure waiting to be discovered.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Fukushima?
Fukushima is a huge prefecture, which can take a long time to explore (if you have a long time). On the other hand, you can condense a lot into just a few days, particularly if you’re willing to able to rent a car. For example, if you want to visit Aizu-Wakamatsu and Ouchi-juku in autumn, you can theoretically do on a day trip from Koriyama Station, again assuming that you have a car.
Of course, no how many days in Fukushima you spend, there’s a high chance you will return at some point in the future. Once people realize they aren’t going to melt or develop cancer, they tend to fall quickly in love with Fukushima, both on account of its unique destinations and experiences, as well as how uncrowded all but a few of them are.
Other FAQ About Visiting Fukushima
Is it safe to travel to Fukushima now?
Unless you break into the site of the doomed nuclear plant, or proceed (without authorization) deep into the off-limits “Exclusion Zone,” you will not encounter any notable radiation in Fukushima. This has been the case almost since the disaster occurred, and is certainly true now, over a decade later.
Is Fukushima worth visiting?
Fukushima is absolutely worth visiting, with amazing attractions from the mountains to the sea, incredible seasonal displays including spring cherry blossoms and autumn colors and (for the most part) very few crowds. It’s one of the most underrated parts of Japan!
What to eat in Fukushima?
The most famous single dish in Fukushima is probably sauce katsu, aka a katsudon (fried pork bowl) served with a special sauce. However, Fukushima is also famous for locally-farmed wa-gyu beef, as well as seafood closer to the coast.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Fukushima travel guide helpful. Some of you will visit Fukushima incidentally, i.e. if it’s “on the way” from one place to another as you explore the Tohoku region, or along your route from Hokkaido back to Tokyo (or vice-versa). In other cases, you’re here more intentionally, and are seeking a comprehensive Fukushima itinerary in order to explore this underrated part of Japan for days (or even weeks) at a time. No matter the reason, I’m happy you’re here—and hope you continue looking around. Or, if you don’t have time to browse, that you’ll consider hiring me to plan your trip to Japan.
