10 Best Things To Do in Fukushima: Hike, Ski, Drift & Eat

Japan’s third-largest prefecture, Fukushima, is incredibly diverse, with lots of character and a vibrant culture. Reachable in under two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Fukushima is an ideal waypoint for travelers to Sendai looking for a green respite or a glimpse into the enchanting world of samurai culture.

Despite the severe impact of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident, Fukushima has made remarkable efforts towards revitalization. Today, the majority of the prefecture is entirely safe for visitors, welcoming travelers to experience its culture, scenery and the warmth of its people.

Here are the best places to visit if you want to truly explore Fukushima, from its ancient samurai heritage, food traditions and stunning landscapes to the recent efforts towards disaster recovery and historical preservation.

Atop every Fukushima itinerary is the historical city of Aizu-Wakamatsu, and for good reason. Enveloped by lush mountains, it retains its traditional townscapes and remnants of its past as a samurai stronghold, and is a wonderful place to explore and experience many of Fukushima’s long-standing traditions.

Start by visiting the picturesque Tsurugajo Castle, reconstructed after one of Japan's last samurai battles. Next, hike up Ohirayama, with a serene landscape and a deep past that invites reflection. 

Once there, you can't miss the Sazaedo Temple, a piece of ancient engineering wonder with a double-helix structure. Lastly, head to the Fukushima Prefectural Museum for a look into historical artifacts that explain Aizu's history and a cup of coffee at its modern cafeteria.

And don't forget to try some of the area's famous foods. Our top recommendation is sauce katsudon, featuring a crispy katsu cutlet atop a pillowy blanket of cabbage and a fluffy bed of rice. The region's heavy snowfall and access to pristine waters also translates into incredibly tasty rice and a long-standing sake-brewing tradition. Fukushima has received gold medals for the National New Sake competition nine times in a row, and Aizu is the perfect place to discover why.

Often likened to Shirakawa-go, the quaint post town of Ouchi-juku transports visitors to a bygone era of Japanese history. Its thatched roofed houses, surrounded by nature and with no sight of cars or electricity poles, makes for a charming townscape that seems frozen in time.

While in Ouchi-juku, you just have to indulge in a hearty bowl of negisoba, the area’s classic soba noodle dish that is eaten with a green onion (negi) instead of chopsticks or other cutlery. Challenge yourself and see if you can eat like a local!

As you continue to explore, walk up to the viewpoint to see the town, shop for handcrafts and souvenirs and stop for coffee at Bunke Tamaya, a delightful kominka (traditional Japanese folk house) cafe serving fresh cakes and pastries with a cozy interior.

Pro tip: On the way to Ouchi-juku, stop by the picturesque To-no-Hetsuri crags, a mesmerizing rock formation that is one of the most scenic spots in the area.

With over 1,000 years of history, the Soma Nomaoi festival is a colorful celebration of Soma's horse breeding and samurai legacy in the Fukushima coastal area.

Expect an exhilarating parade of local riders dressed in heirloom samurai armor, a dynamic capture-the-flag event and ceremonies at local shrines in both Soma and Odaka in this multi-day event that takes place in May every year.

In the wake of the 2011 triple tragedy in Fukushima, this festival also became a poignant symbol of resilience, reflecting the unbreakable spirit of the community. If you can only make it to Fukushima for one event, make it this one — Soma Nomaoi is an unforgettable celebration of culture and unity.

To understand how the people of Fukushima dealt with the aftermath of the 2011 disaster, few places are as informative and comprehensive as the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum in Futaba. This striking memorial site tells the history of what happened through recovered artifacts, first-person testimonies and poignant audiovisual materials.

Another testament to the disaster is the ruins of the Ukedo Elementary School, a place where all students and staff evacuated safely from the tsunami, but the structure of the building was destroyed and left as is as evidence to the extent of the destruction.

As you explore these and other disaster sites in the coastal area, you'll discover the stories of Fukushima's coastal communities and their unwavering commitment to rebuild and honor the past.

Best season: Spring through autumn

Deep in the (seemingly tranquil) mountains of Nihonmatsu is an exhilarating circuit with eight courses for drifting and racing that draws world-class drivers and passionate petrolheads from near and far.

Can’t drive? No problem. The circuit offers a Drift Taxi experience where a professional driver takes you drifting through three of the courses, including the Mountain Pass course (Touge), a 1.5 km stretch famous in the local drifting scene for its adventurous twists. 

This experience tends to sell out quickly, however, so a good alternative is to take part in one of the circuit's three yearly drift matsuri festivals. These are three-day events full of competition and camaraderie where drifters from across the country and the world come together. 

With racing tracks open 24/7, the circuit is transformed into a hub of non-stop excitement and adrenaline during each matsuri.

Japan's oldest cherry blossom tree, the Miharu Takizakura, can be found in Miharu, south of Fukushima City. This towering weeping cherry blossom veteran, over 1,000 years old, blooms in cascades of pink every spring, drawing a lot of attention both locally and internationally. And yet, it is only one of the many notable cherry blossom spots in the vicinity.

One of the most picturesque destinations to enjoy the hanami season is Fukushima City’s Hanamiyama which translates to “mountain of flower viewing.” This breathtaking garden, perched atop a lush mountain, resembles an open-air floral museum, showcasing an array of cherry blossoms in various shades, vibrant rapeseed blossoms, tulips and an assortment of other flowers, with unparalleled views of the city and the snow-covered mountains.

Other notable sakura spots in the central area of Fukushima include Kaiseizan Park in Koriyama, home to a playful Chansey Park, the Castle Ruins in Nihonmatsu, which you can hike to the top to see a pristine view of the city framed by the blossoms, and the Shirakawa Castle, a beautifully contrasting black-and-white castle surrounded by sakura.

One of Japan’s “big three” ramen varieties, Kitakata ramen, a soy-sauce based ramen with thick wavy noodles, is cherished by many but truly known only by the few who travel all the way to Kitakata in Western Fukushima. 

In Kitakata, kura warehouses pepper the landscape, creating a serene backdrop for over 100 ramen restaurants. Kitakata ramen is said to be so delicious that locals enjoy it even for breakfast (a tradition known as asa-ra), which is why many of Kitakata’s ramen restaurants open as early as 7 am.

Kitakata is a charming town with quaint streets and souvenir shops. One must-visit spot is Wakaki-shouten (若喜商店), a soy sauce brewery, museum and souvenir shop packed with historical treasures that offers tours in English. 

And, if you get thirsty after all the ramen, try Kitakata’s renowned sake in one of its many breweries, like Homare or Yamatogawa, both of which have guided tours and tastings. 

If visiting sometime in April, the impressive weeping cherry blossoms on the Nicchu Cherry Blossom Line road are not to be missed.

Best season: May to October

Fun fact about Fukushima? It has its own “Mt. Fuji." Right in the heart of the prefecture is Mt. Azuma, whose conical silhouette has earned it the nickname of Kofuji, or "small Fuji.” 

But rather than standing alone like Mt. Fuji, the Azuma Mountain range has many peaks, creating a unique landscape and a captivating destination for hiking enthusiasts.

Start at the Jododaira Plateau, just a scenic 30-minute drive from Fukushima Station. Here, you can opt for four hiking routes, ranging from the short and scenic walk around the rim of the Azuma Kofuji, or, if you’re up for a challenge, walk the 3-hour course to Mt. Issaikyo to see the crystalline “Witch Eye” lake nestled atop a mountain. 

Whichever route you go for, stunning naturescapes and views of the city below are guaranteed.

Along with Niseko and Hakuba, the Aizu area of Fukushima is known for its powdery snow. Among its many ski resorts are the Aizu Kogen Takatsue Ski Resort and the Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain, opened in 2023. 

The best time to go skiing in Fukushima and enjoy high snow quality is said to be January and February.

Beyond sports, Aizu is home to incredibly dreamy snow landscapes. Perhaps the most famous of which is the Tadami Bridge No. 1 Viewpoint, which, albeit challenging to climb up when it’s very snowy, the view of the Tadami train passing through the bridge is absolutely worth it. 

More winter wonderlands await at nearby Yanaizu, Kaneyama and Tadami Towns.

Last but not least on our list is one of Fukushima’s most captivating attractions, the Abukuma Cave! This vast limestone cavern, formed over a span of 80 million years, houses the widest variety of stalactites in Asia. 

Stepping inside is akin to entering a different planet, with mysterious geological formations, ancient mystery and a stable, pleasant temperature of around 15 degrees celsius year-round.

Pro tip: The Abukuma cave is spacious enough to walk around without having to crouch or worry about your clothes or shoes getting wet. 

But if you’re craving adventure, visit the nearby Irimizu Shonyudo, another limestone cave that's much narrower and can be explored through three different adventure courses ranging from mild to extreme.

Wondering what Japanese foods to enjoy in the area? Read about what to eat in Fukushima or explore our selection of restaurants in Fukushima.