Well connected by a number of train and bus networks as well as being serviced by the Ban-etsu Expressway, getting to and around the expansive Fukushima Prefecture is a not a difficult feat. If you’re leaving from or travelling via Tokyo, there are a number of shinkansen options for you to choose from depending on where you want to go, as Fukushima, Aizu-Wakamatsu and Koriyama Station all hosts shinkansen lines. Here’s a brief guide on some of the best and easiest ways to explore the area.
-
01
Koriyama Station, a central transport hub
![Koriyama Station, a central transport hub]()
Koriyama Station, a central transport hub
Located in the center of Fukushima sits Koriyama Station one of the main transport hubs of the area. The station is served by the Tohoku Shinkansen line and Tohoku Main Line, providing easy access from Tokyo and Ueno Station. It’s also home to a number of local lines connecting to much smaller local stations too, meaning that if you want to explore the local area in central Fukushima this will be your main public transport hub.
-
02
Ride the scenic Mount Express Tobu Line
![Ride the scenic Mount Express Tobu Line]()
Ride the scenic Mount Express Tobu Line
One of the more picturesque ways to get around is by catching the Tobu Line from Asakusa Station to Aizu. You can grab a ticket from the Tobu Sightseeing Service Center at Asakusa Station, but if you’re not in Asakusa, the train also can be boarded at Tokyo Skytree Station, Tobu Nikko Station, and Kinugawa-Onsen Station.
If you’re visiting during winter, this train offers some impressive sightseeing opportunities. There’s a good chance you’ll pass by a winter festival or two as well as many onsen resorts. Train transfers vary depending on the time of day, so it’s best to prepare ahead of your planned departure day. -
03
Hop on, hop off in Aizuwakamatsu
![Hop on, hop off in Aizuwakamatsu]()
Hop on, hop off in Aizuwakamatsu
The castle city of Aizuwakamatsu is overflowing with stunning scenery and historic sightseeing opportunities so if you do find yourself in Fukushima, it’s an area definitely worth exploring. The town is home to a network of local buses that’ll help you make the most of your stay. Keep an eye out for one of the maroon and yellow local loop buses that connect Aizuwakamatsu Station with most of the city’s main points of interest. Running between 8 am and 5:30 pm daily rides cost 210 yen, but if you want to explore further it’s worth getting a 500-yen day pass, which will allow you unlimited access to the buses for the entire day.
-
04
If you want to go further, catch a local or overnight bus
![If you want to go further, catch a local or overnight bus]()
If you want to go further, catch a local or overnight bus
Beyond the loop bus there are a number of local bus routes that connect some of the area’s major cities like Aizuwakamatsu to the wider prefecture area. If you’re traveling on a budget there are also a number of overnight buses that travel between JR Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal and Aizwakamatsu Station. Many of Aizuwakamatsu’s main attractions aren’t within walking distance so buses are a necessity, however if you’re visiting during the day the aforementioned loop bus should be able to connect you to most of the places you’ll want to go.
-
05
Make the most of your visit by riding the Ban-etsu Expressway
![Make the most of your visit by riding the Ban-etsu Expressway]()
Make the most of your visit by riding the Ban-etsu Expressway
For ultimate freedom, consider renting a car so you can fully explore the sights and cities of Fukushima Prefecture. Travelling around, chances are you’ll spend a little time on the Ban-etsu Expressway. Traversing across the mountains of the Tohoku, this road connects the coastlines of the Pacific Ocean to the Japan Sea, cutting through a number of Fukushima’s most stunning towns and cities including Tamura, Aizuwakamatsu, Koriyama and Motomiya. Backdropped by some stunning natural sights, if you do visit Aizuwakamatsu, keep an eye out for Mt Bandai, a dormant volcano overlooking the city and one of the highlights of the drive.
Go here
