30 recommended tourist attractions in Fukushima! Popular spots you can enjoy all year round

Beautiful Fukushima! Fukushima Prefecture suffered devastating damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, but after several years it is making progress in its recovery as a tourist prefecture. The Aizu and Nakadori regions in the mid-west of Fukushima Prefecture, which were not affected by the earthquake, are particularly popular with tourists, thanks to the effects of historical dramas and other events. The Hamadori region along the coast of Fukushima Prefecture is also full of recommended spots that make use of its rich tourist resources! It's also a good idea to book a cheap rental car in Fukushima Prefecture and drive along the coast. Come to Fukushima, a tourist prefecture where you can enjoy nature, leisure and gourmet food all year round!

1. Iizaka Onsen

Iizaka Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture is one of the leading hot spring resorts in the Tohoku region, attracting approximately 300,000 tourists annually, and is included in the "Three Great Hot Springs of Oshu." The town is lined with many inns and hotels and has a warm and cozy atmosphere. It is said that even Matsuo Basho bathed in Sabako-yu, Japan's oldest wooden public bathhouse. At Haraiyu Park in the town, there is also a hand bath instead of a foot bath. If you get

hungry, try the famous gyoza at "Terui"! Of course, it's a great place to visit for a day trip, but it's also a good idea to stay overnight and relax while sightseeing and comparing the different baths.

2. Dake Onsen

Dake Onsen is located west of Nihonmatsu city in Fukushima prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Adatara to the east. On both sides of the gentle slope, there are hot spring towns and inns. It is one of the leading hot spring areas in Fukushima prefecture, which has been in existence since the Edo period, and the hot water of the acidic spring brought by the volcano warms the body of tourists from the core.

3. Tsuchiyu Onsen

Tsuchiyu Onsen is located upstream of the Arakawa River that runs through Fukushima City. Together with five other hot springs at higher altitudes, it is sometimes called Tsuchiyu Onsenkyo. It is known for having many springs and is popular as a hot spring tourist destination where you can enjoy more than 10 types of spring water.

There are also four-foot baths in the hot spring town, all of which are free. It is also the production center of Tsuchiyu Kokeshi (Tsuchyu type), one of the three major kokeshi dolls, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of Fukushima tourism just by browsing the souvenir shops and looking at the monuments scattered around the hot spring town.

4. Hanamiyama Park

Hanamiyama Park is a private property of the Abe family, a flower farmer in Fukushima City, and has been open to citizens and tourists for free since 1959. As its name suggests, it is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing, and in spring, many tourists come to see the cherry blossoms, with the total number of visitors reaching about 300,000! Colorful cherry blossoms and forsythia flowers bloom around the entrance to the park. You can walk through a tunnel of cherry blossoms in full bloom, or look down on the open view from the observation deck. If you want to see some of Fukushima's most beautiful cherry blossoms, head to Hanamiyama Park!

During the peak cherry blossom season, a special bus called "Hanamiyama-go" runs from the east exit of Fukushima Station. Other options include local buses, flat-rate taxis, and MOMORIN shared bicycles. If you are driving, you will not be allowed to enter the park, so please use the shuttle bus from the paid parking lot around Fukushima Station or the temporary parking lot for private cars (Abukuma Waterside Park).

5. Azuma Sports Park

This is a large park with a group of sports facilities in Sawara, Fukushima City. The park has a gymnasium that can accommodate up to 6,000 people, a baseball field that is also used for official professional baseball games, a spacious indoor pool, and an athletic playground. The park is surrounded by nature, and the single road lined with ginkgo trees is very beautiful!

In winter, the area becomes even more romantic when illuminated with lights.

It is convenient to access by bus from JR Fukushima Station. You can use the field athletics and playground equipment for free, so why not stop by between sightseeing in Fukushima Prefecture's main tourist spots?

6. Anna Garden

Located at the foot of the Azuma Mountain Range in the west of Fukushima City, this is a tourist spot with a European-style townscape. Centered around St. Anne's Church, which is a popular place for weddings, there are many restaurants and shops scattered around, including the Fukushimaji Beer Bar, the Kokeshi Exhibition Hall, and an antique furniture store. It's a tourist destination where you can enjoy seeing, buying, and eating all at once.

It is also surrounded by the gentleness of nature, allowing you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Experience the changes throughout the four seasons.

7. Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall

Hideyo Noguchi, a bacteriologist is one of Japan's great men and is also known as the face on the 1,000 yen bill. This memorial tourist spot was established in Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture, where he was born. There are many exhibits related to Hideyo Noguchi's life, and the preserved fireplace in his birthplace, letters from his mother Shika, and a portrait of his wife written by Hideyo are particularly valuable and must-sees.

The "Experience! Bacterium" is also popular, where you can learn about the world of bacteria while playing. Special events are held depending on the season, so be sure to check them out. To get there, we recommend taking a bus from Inawashiro Station.

8. Bandai Azuma Skyline

The Bandai Azuma Skyline is a long mountain road that passes through the Azuma mountain range. It was previously a toll road managed by the Fukushima Prefectural Road Public Corporation, but it has been free since 2013. It is a great tourist destination for those who love driving, as you can drive through wonderful views. It is a tourist road that is worth driving through as many times as you like when you come to Fukushima by car.

In particular, the "Azuma Hakkei" selected by writer Yasushi Inoue is a great viewpoint. It changes with the seasons and shows various expressions, but the best time to enjoy the spectacular autumn leaves is during the autumn foliage season.

*The road is closed due to snow in winter (mid-November to mid-April).

9. Goshiki-Numa

Goshikinuma, officially the Goshikinuma Lake Group, is a popular route for sightseeing in Urabandai, Fukushima Prefecture. There are 30 large and small lakes and marshes in the area, including the spectacular Bishamonuma, which boasts the largest area and offers a panoramic view of Mt. Bandai, Akanuma, with its mysterious reddish-brown water, Midoronuma, which has three colors, Bentenuma, with its mysterious cobalt blue gradation, and Aonuma, with its beautiful pale blue water surface.

The path is flat and the distance is about an hour on foot, so even beginner hikers need not worry. Come explore the deep mysteries of Fukushima Prefecture.

10. Takayu Onsen

Takayu Onsen is located directly west of Fukushima city. Known for its highly concentrated, highly acidic spring water, it is one of Fukushima prefecture's leading hot springs. Its benefits have been well-known since the Edo period, and many people have traveled to this inner sanctum of Fukushima city. In addition to staying overnight, we also recommend the public bath, Attaka-yu! It is a popular hot spring that can be reached on a day trip from Fukushima city.

It is also near the entrance to the popular driveway, Bandai Azuma Skyline, so you can stop by on a date or family trip.

11. World Glass Museum

The World Glass Museum, located in Lake Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture, is an amusement park where you can enjoy glass products collected from 40 countries around the world. Once inside the stylish Western-style building, you will find many different glass products on display, including crystal, Venetian, and natural stone. The glass-making experience corner is enjoyable for many people, from children to adults.

At the local beer museum, you can drink delicious beer in glass glasses, so you can enjoy both the alcohol and the beauty of the glass. It's a wonderful tourist spot.

12. Nanokamachi Street

Nanukamachi Street in Aizu, Fukushima, is a tourist destination with a retro Taisho-era romantic townscape. You can take a leisurely stroll and there are many places worth stopping by. You can find traditional Aizu lacquerware at the 300-year-old Shirokiya Lacquerware Store. If you want to try authentic local sake, head to Tsurunoe Sake Brewery.

Get souvenirs at Momenshi, which has a wide selection of Aizu cotton items. Be sure to also visit Amidaji Temple, which retains a mysterious atmosphere. It's a wonderful tourist destination where you can feel the history of Fukushima Aizu!

13. Aizu Samurai Residences

Part of Fukushima Prefecture was once known as the Aizu Domain. This theme park is a collection of historical houses and museums, including important cultural properties of the Aizu Domain. The residence of Saigo Tanomo, who served as the chief retainer of the Aizu Domain for generations, is at the center of the park, and you can tour every corner of the residence, from the entrance to the bedroom and tea room. Experience the atmosphere of a quiet and dignified lifestyle!

There are also workshops where you can try your hand at traditional folk arts such as painting Akabeko and glass engraving.

14. Tsuruga Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle)

Aizuwakamatsu is the central city of western Fukushima Prefecture. Overlooking the city, Aizuwakamatsu Castle is a representative tourist spot in Fukushima Prefecture that has attracted attention through the historical drama "Yae no Sakura" and other dramas. The roof of the five-story castle tower, also known as "Tsuruga Castle," has been re-roofed with red tiles to resemble its original appearance. From the top floor of the castle tower, you can get a panoramic view of the Aizu Basin, as well as Iimoriyama, the site of the tragic death of the Byakkotai.

Inside the castle, surrounded by moats and stone walls, there are plenty of tourist attractions, such as the teahouse "Rinkaku," said to have been built by Sen no Rikyu's son Shoan, and the bell tower, which was used during the Boshin War!

15. Hanging Tower

"Hetsuri" is a dialect word from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture that means "a dangerous cliff close to the river." This is a picturesque sight of strangely shaped rocks, with steep, tower-like rocks standing in a forest on the banks of the Aga River. It is one of Fukushima's most famous natural tourist attractions, and there is even a "Tounohetsuri Station" on the Aizu Railway. This precious landscape was formed over a million years by the erosion of the river, and it has been designated as a national natural monument.

The best season to visit is definitely autumn! The ruggedness of the rocks is further accentuated by the bright red autumn leaves. Of course, the scenery of the lush greenery and snow-covered landscapes is also beautiful, making this a must-see tourist spot on any trip to Fukushima!

16. Mt. Iimori

Mistakenly believing Tsuruga Castle had fallen, 16-17-year-old boy soldiers committed suicide one after another. All but one survivor, 19 members of the Byakkotai were killed on this mountain. At the summit of Mt. Imoriyama, 314m above sea level, there are the graves of the 19 Byakkotai soldiers, as well as memorial monuments, and many tourists visit to mourn the tragic boys. There is a "moving walkway" or slope conveyor that takes you to the top, so you can easily climb up.

Another tourist attraction you can't miss is the Sazaedo Hall, located halfway up the mountain! It is a three-story hexagonal Kannon hall with a spiral slope inside, and its unique structure means that people never pass each other on the way up or down.

17. Ouchijuku

Ouchijuku is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government. Located in Shimogo-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, it is a stop on the old Aizu Nishi Kaido road and has been a popular tourist spot in recent years, retaining the atmosphere of a mountain post town.

Traditional thatched-roof houses line both sides of the wide street and are still used as guesthouses, restaurants, souvenir shops, and more. The specialty of Ouchijuku is "Takato Soba," which is eaten with a whole green onion as a chopstick! You can enjoy it at several restaurants in the inn, including "Honke Tamaya."

18. Spa Resort Hawaiians

This complex in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a luxurious tourist spot with a large pool, hot springs, four different hotels of different styles, from resort-style to Japanese-style, and even a golf course. Other must-sees are the Polynesian show, featuring the dance of the hula girls and fire knife dancers that were featured in the movie. It's an amusement park that you can't enjoy in just one day.

There is a free shuttle bus from Yumoto Station and Izumi Station on the JR Joban Line, and if you are staying at a hotel within the park, there is also a shuttle from Tokyo and Yokohama, so it is easily accessible.

19. Iwaki Marine Tower

The Marine Tower, a 60m observation tower that stands on the cape of Onahama Port in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a famous tourist spot, and its blue and white colors give it a refreshing impression. The view from the rooftop sky deck is a 360-degree panoramic view! Feel the sea breeze and it feels great.

Misaki Park, where the tower is located, is also very large. It's a place for play and relaxation surrounded by greenery. Whether you go up the tower or take a walk in the park, it's a tourist spot where you can enjoy beautiful views.

20. Aquamarine Fukushima

This aquarium is located in Onahama, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. The beautiful dome-shaped building resembles the jewel aquamarine, from which it is named. There is a lot to see inside the facility, making it a tourist spot where you can feel the rich sea off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture.

The world's first large triangular tunnel-shaped aquarium is the symbol of the aquarium, with each side recreating the Kuroshio Current and Oyashio Current, with bonito and tuna swimming in them. It is also famous for its research on coelacanths, and in connection with this, the exterior is lit up in the winter so that it reflects the coelacanth, making it even more beautiful.

21. Iwaki LaLa Mew

This is a tourist and souvenir center in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, located inside the Iwaki Onahama Minato Oasis Sea Station, next to Aquamarine Fukushima. The center is divided into three areas: the "Fish Zone" where the seafood is lined up, the "Merchandise Zone" where other souvenirs are sold, and the "Food and Drink Zone" where you can taste fresh seafood.

The first floor was severely damaged by the tsunami during the Great East Japan Earthquake, but has since reopened after renovation! It has been reborn as "Wanpaku Hiroba Miu Miu," one of the largest indoor playgrounds in the Tohoku region.

22. Iwaki City Coal and Fossil Museum Horuru

Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is home to two important historical events related to digging! Both are featured at the Iwaki City Coal and Fossil Museum Horuru. In the fossil area, you'll be greeted by a replica of a full-body fossil of a Futabasaurus excavated in Futaba Town, north of Iwaki City!

In addition, there are many other precious fossils on display of creatures that once lived around Iwaki. In the coal area, a tunnel from the Tokiwa Coal Mine, which once flourished in this area, is recreated. The lives of coal miners and their families, as well as the history of Yumoto Onsen, are introduced.

23. Abukuma Cave

Abukuma Cave is a tourist destination with overwhelming natural beauty that Fukushima Prefecture is proud of. The cave, which is about 80 million years old, is filled with stalactites, which are said to be the most diverse and numerous in the Orient. You can see them in various forms, such as hanging from the ceiling or piled up like bamboo shoots. The beauty of this scenery is truly a fantasy world!

Brightly lit up, it is endlessly mysterious. It is one of Fukushima Prefecture's must-see tourist spots. It is also the only "Lovers' Sanctuary" in Fukushima Prefecture, so it is perfect as a tourist destination for couples.

24. Licca-chan Castle

"Hello! I'm Licca-chan!" A life-sized doll will greet you at Licca-chan Castle, located exactly halfway between Koriyama City and Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture. Once you have your ticket to the dream world of Licca-chan, you can first change into your favorite outfit at the "Dress Up as Licca-chan Rental Corner"! You can change the color as many times as you like for free, so you'll feel like Licca-chan herself.

You can take a peek into Licca-chan's room and look around at all the previous Licca-chan dolls. There is also a Plarail assembly corner, so it's a recommended tourist spot for families with children, as both girls and boys can enjoy it.

25. Miharu Takizakura

Takizakura in Miharu Town, located next to Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture, is one of the three most famous cherry trees in Japan. It is a huge weeping cherry tree estimated to be over 1,000 years old, and the bell-like blossoms hanging from the branches that stretch out vigorously in all directions are a true big cherry blossom fall! Every year, from mid-to-late April, when the best viewing time is reached, many tourists visit by bus tour or private car.

The town of Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture is said to have gotten its name from the fact that it is a place where three types of flowers - plum, cherry, and peach - bloom at the same time. We recommend this place as a cherry blossom viewing spot that represents not only Fukushima but also the Tohoku region!

26. Shirakawa Komine Castle

Shirakawa City in Fukushima Prefecture is famous as the gateway to Michinoku, where the Shirakawa Barrier is located! Shirakawa-Komine Castle, with its beautiful stone walls and moat, is located in front of Shirakawa Station. The three-story turret, built as a substitute for the castle tower, is the symbol of Shirakawa! It was faithfully restored in 1991 in wood based on the original drawings.

It is counted as one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan and is a popular tourist spot in Fukushima, characterized by its graceful form and high-level castle construction techniques. In spring and autumn, the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves match the castle's stone walls and buildings, making it even more beautiful!

27. Koriyama City Science Museum Space Park

This space-themed science museum is located in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture's largest city. It's located on the 20th to 24th floors of Big Eye Building, right in front of Koriyama Station, so it's very accessible! Popular attractions include the "Moon Jump," which lets you experience the gravity of the moon, and the "Triple Spin," an astronaut training experience device. The planetarium on the top floor is not only one of the largest in Japan but is also registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest one above ground.

From the observation deck, about 100 meters above ground, you can get a panoramic view of Koriyama city! It's also a great tourist spot for a date.

28. Mount Azuma

Mount Azuma, located in the west of Fukushima City, on the border between Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures, is the general name for a volcanic belt made up of peaks at around 2,000m above sea level. When viewed from above, the ridgeline spreads out in an inverted Ψ shape, and it has been selected as one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and the 100 famous mountains of Utsukushima. In addition to the many high-quality hot springs that spring up in the surrounding area, it is also famous as a habitat for rare alpine plants!

In addition, Jododaira, which spreads out next to the so-called "Azuma Kofuji," is a famous stargazing spot known only to those in the know! With its clear air, it is a great place for astronomy observation, and many astronomy fans visit.

29. Tohoku Safari Park

If you want to interact with animals in Fukushima, this is the place to be. You can walk around, but we recommend taking a tour by bus, which is unique to safari parks. You can see many animals in their wild state, from standard animals like giraffes and elephants to rare white lions! You can have thrilling experiences such as driving in front of lions sleeping in the free-roaming area and being chased by a group of zebras for food!

You can even ride an elephant. You might feel like you're touring the vast plains of Africa while in Fukushima.

30. Futagi Onsen

Futamata Onsen is a hidden hot spring located in the depths of Fukushima Prefecture, about 30 minutes by car from Amae Village. Soak in the rock bath, made from natural rocks, and listen to the murmuring of the Futamata River, surrounded by beech forests. You're sure to find peace of mind and body that you can't experience in the city.

In winter, when the snow piles up, the scenery is magnificent, and you might feel like you've come to another world, rather than just sightseeing.

Summary of recommended sightseeing spots in Fukushima Prefecture

Beautiful Fukushima! We have introduced the many tourist attractions of Fukushima Prefecture, which is rich in nature, hot springs, history, and culture. Located in the southernmost part of the Tohoku region, Fukushima Prefecture can be said to be the gateway to tourism in Michinoku. From the mountains of Aizu to the sea of ​​Hamadori, Fukushima has a wide variety of sightseeing spots! If you use the expressway or Shinkansen, Fukushima is only a 1-2 hour journey from the Tokyo metropolitan area. Why not take this opportunity to go on a sightseeing trip to discover the best of Fukushima?