Recommended for even a day trip from Tokyo! Explore Fukushima having three areas with different attractions unique to winter

Located in Tohoku region, Fukushima prefecture is about an hour and a half from Tokyo by Shinkansen and 20 minutes to Tohoku’s largest city ‘Sendai’ in Miyagi prefecture. Or, it’s the spot perfect for a day trip and a travel hub of Tohoku trip. Fukushima like that consists of 3 areas: Hamadori, Nakadori and Aizu.

This time, we’re going to introduce each area’s recommendations unique to winter, such as local dishes and sightseeing spots.

“Hamadori” allowing you to get rid of fatigue with local specialty dish and hot spring

“Hamadori,” including Soma city, Iwaki city and so on, is located on the east side of the prefecture. There are many spots where you can enjoy eating fresh seafood such as ‘Iwaki La La Mew‘ because this area faces the sea. In particular, Iwaki’s specialty dish “Anko Nabe (Monkfish Hot Pot)” using plenty of seasonal monkfish is recommended. Let’s make your body and heart warm while eating monkfish liver with a rich taste and creamy texture, chewy white fish and soup rich in umami flavor. Besides, you should visit “Iwakiyumoto Onsen” which is one of the ancient hot springs alongside Dogo Onsen (Ehime) and Arima Onsen (Hyogo). You can get relaxed by enjoying not only hot spring in a day-use facility but also a footbath at the platform of Yumoto Onsen Station. Why not stop by here while sightseeing in a national treasure ‘Shiramizu Aimidado Temple’ and Nakososeki?

“Nakadori” surrounded by mountains where the winter wonderland spreads out

“Nakadori” is the central area of the prefecture where Koriyama city and Fukushima city are located. It’s surrounded by Ou Mountains and Abukuma Plateau, so you can see a stunning view of nature. For example, “Haguro Shrine” at Mt. Haguro, one of Dewa Mountains. Not to mention the snow-covered precincts, the five-storied pagoda which is a national treasure on the pathway to the shrine will catch your eyes. Some of the surrounding cedar trees are over 1,000 years old. The quaint scenery with a solemn atmosphere makes you restore a peaceful, happy state of mind. Besides, don’t miss “Fukushima Hikarinoshizuku Illumination” which is one of Fukushima’s winter features. You will have butterflies in your stomach just by seeing sparkling light given off by about 200,000 light bulbs at JR Fukushima Station.

“Aizu” where you can enjoy both traditional events and winter sports

Located on the west side of the prefecture, “Aizu” has lots of spots where you can feel the long history of Fukushima. In Tsuruga Castle featuring a castle tower made of red roof tiles, “Aizu Erosoku Matsuri (Aizu Candle Festival)” where a fantastic view created by gentle light of approximately 10,000 candles spreads out is held. Also, “Ouchi-juku Snow Festival” is unique to winter, which allows you to see thatched roof houses covered with snow, sculptures made of snow, fireworks and so on at once. Moreover, there is “Inawashiro Snow Paradice” where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding with seeing a superb view of Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro.