Fukushima (prefecture)
Discover Fukushima (prefecture)
Fukushima Prefecture (福島県 Fukushima-ken) is in the northeastern Tohoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Fukushima is the third largest prefecture in Japan (14,000 km²), and one of its least densely populated. Two mountain ranges divide the prefecture into three main regions: Aizu in the west, Naka dōri ("center lane") in the centre and Hama dōri ("coast lane") in the east. Aizu is mountainous with snowy winters, while the climate in Hama dōri is moderated by the Pacific Ocean.
What to Experience in Fukushima (prefecture)
Taste of Fukushima (prefecture)...
With its three distinct regions, Fukushima offers a wide variety of marine and agricultural products. It is also known as a "Fruit Kingdom" because of its many seasonal fruits. If you are unable to visit Fukushima but still want a taste while in Japan, it is highly recommended to visit MIDETTE (+81 03-6262-3977, []) in Tokyo. While the capital city has nearly 60 satellite stores ("antenna shops" in Japanese), this one in Nihonbashi is one of the largest. In addition to its huge variety of fresh and processed foods, it boasts an extensive sake selection and decent sized traditional crafts corner. There is also some tourist information, though mostly in Japanese. It is recommended to try the sake sampler set at the bar, or the famous Kitakata ramen at the ramen dining area in the back of the store. Access via a 15-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station, or a 2-minute walk from JR Shin-nihonbashi Station exit 2. Address: 4-3-16 Yanagiya Taiyo Bldg. 1F, Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuou-ku, Tokyo (in Japanese: 東京都中央区日本橋室町4-3-16柳屋太洋ビル1F).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFukushima is served by Fukushima Airport (FKS), located near Sukagawa to the south of Koriyama. The airport is served by JAL and ANA, with domestic services to Osaka, Sapporo and Naha. There are also international services to Shanghai and Seoul. The surrounding prefectures have airports (Niigata Airport, Sendai Airport, and Ibaraki Airport) that may offer more convenient access to parts of Fukushima than connecting with Tokyo, should Fukushima Airport not meet your needs. High speed rail access is provided by the Tohoku Shinkansen, which serves Shirakawa, Koriyama and Fukushima stations. The Tohoku Shinkansen links Fukushima with Tokyo in the south and the rest of Tohoku to the north. The Yamagata Shinkansen runs from Fukushima to various cities in Yamagata prefecture....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Several expressways serve Fukushima prefecture and provide fast connection by car: For those who arrive by Shinkansen, Koriyama Station has the most connections and provides transfer access to the widest range of sites in the prefecture. You can transfer at Koriyama Station to access the Ban-etsu East Line to access Iwaki and the Joban Line that runs along the coast and the Ban-est West Line, which gives access to Lake Inawashiro, Mount Bandai, Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata. From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, you can access the Tadami Line and the private Aizu Tetsudo line to visit sites including the famous Ouchi-juku. Fukushima Station has less transfer lines and its location next to prefectural borders make it generally less useful for those looking to travel within the prefecture. The Ou Main Line only has a few stations in Fukushima before it enters Yonezawa in Yamagata, and the private Iizaka Line is entirely contained within Fukushima City.
Where to Stay
If you are unable to visit Fukushima but still want a taste while in Japan, it is highly recommended to visit MIDETTE (+81 03-6262-3977, []) in Tokyo. While the capital city has nearly 60 satellite stores ("antenna shops" in Japanese), this one in Nihonbashi is one of the largest. In addition to its huge variety of fresh and processed foods, it boasts an extensive sake selection and decent sized traditional crafts corner. There is also some tourist information, though mostly in Japanese. It is recommended to try the sake sampler set at the bar, or the famous Kitakata ramen at the ramen dining area in the back of the store. Access via a 15-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station, or a 2-minute walk from JR Shin-nihonbashi Station exit 2. Address: 4-3-16 Yanagiya Taiyo Bldg. 1F, Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuou-ku, Tokyo (in Japanese: 東京都中央区日本橋室町4-3-16柳屋太洋ビル1F).
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Fukushima (prefecture)
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background
a view of a city with mountains in the background