[Fukushima Prefecture] 4 recommended local railway routes! Enjoy local trains to Utsukushima and Fukushima
table of contents
- 1 What is the definition of local line?
- 2 JR Tadami Line (Aizuwakamatsu Station - Koide Station: 36 stations 135.2km)
- 3 Recommended points for JR Tadami Line!
- 4 Aizu Railway Aizu Line (Nishiwakamatsu Station - Aizukogen Ozeguchi Station: 21 stations 57.4km)
- 5 Recommended points for Aizu Railway!
- 6 Abukuma Express Line (Fukushima Station - Tsukigi Station: 24 stations 54.9km)
- 7 Recommended points on the Abukuma Express Line!
- 8 Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line (Fukushima Station - Iizaka Onsen Station: 12 stations 9.2km)
- 9 Recommended points on the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line!
- 10 Other local trains you should take in Fukushima Prefecture
- 11 summary
Fukushima Prefecture has many railway lines, including the Tohoku/Yamagata Shinkansen along Nakadori, the Tohoku Main Line, and three local lines.
The Joban Line, which runs through Hamadori, had been closed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, but the line was fully reopened in March 2020. There are also third-sector private railways in Fukushima City and Aizuwakamatsu City, with rolling stock that is different from JR trains.
What is the definition of local line?
In a broader sense, it refers to regional railway lines with few passengers, but here we selected them based on the following criteria.
- Single track with few passengers, high possibility of closure
- There are steam locomotive trains and sightseeing trains, and there are many spots for great photos.
In addition, routes that span two prefectures are considered local lines of the prefecture where the route starts.
JR Tadami Line (Aizuwakamatsu Station - Koide Station: 36 stations 135.2km)
This popular local line is also known as the ``Yokozuna of the East'', and has been introduced overseas as a scenic route in unexplored areas
Due to heavy rains in Niigata and Fukushima in July 2011, bridges in the mountains were washed away, and some of the lines were transported by bus, but the entire line is scheduled to resume operation on October 1, 2022.
Recommended points for JR Tadami Line!
You can enjoy the views of the four seasons from the train window, such as the fresh greenery of spring, the deep greenery of summer, the red leaves of autumn, and the silvery white of winter.
There are hidden stations with different tastes and secret hot springs scattered throughout the line, so it's a route you'll want to get off on and enjoy.
Daiichi Tadami River Bridge (Aizu Hibara Station)
This is a beautiful arch-shaped iron bridge that made the Tadami Line famous.
Aizu-Hinohara Station , but the observation deck, about an hour up the mountain, is a popular photo spot overlooking the bridge.
Daiichi Tadami River Bridge＜Information＞
- Name: Daiichi Tadami River Bridge
- Address: Amayahara, Kawai, Mishima-cho, Onuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- Phone number: 0241-48-5000 (Fukushima Prefecture Mishima Town Tourism Association)
- Official URL: Mishima Town Tourism Portal Site
Google Map
Aizu Railway Aizu Line (Nishiwakamatsu Station - Aizukogen Ozeguchi Station: 21 stations 57.4km)
The former National Railways Aizu Line, which has become a third sector line, runs directly to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, and connects to Tokyo and Asakusa via various lines of Noiwa Railway and Tobu Railway.
Although it takes longer to get to Tokyo than the Shinkansen, it is a route with good scenery and high cost performance.
Recommended points for Aizu Railway!
In addition to enjoying the countryside scenery of Minamiaizu and the Aga River Valley from the train window, we also recommend visiting the hot springs along the line. There are many sightseeing trains such as the ``AIZU Mount Express'' that you can ride with just a ticket.
Tonohetsuri (Tonohetsuri Station)
It is a scenic spot created by the Aga River valley, with tower-like rocks left over from erosion and weathering, and was designated as a national natural monument in 1943.
Located very close to Tonohetsuri Station, you can take a walk on the promenade with a thrilling suspension bridge, or take a break at the restaurant or shop.
To no Hetsuri <Information>
- Name: To no Hetsuri
- Address: 5316 Yagoto Shimotarashi, Shimogo-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- Phone number: 0241-68-2920 (Fukushima Prefecture Mishima Town Tourism Association)
- Official URL: Fukushima Prefecture Shimogo Town Tourism Association
Google Map
Ozatoro observation train Aizu Roman issue
The two-car train is mainly operated on weekends, and as the name suggests, there are three types of seats: tatami seats, trolley seats, and observation seats.
The tatami seats have sunken kotatsu seats, the tunnel theater is popular for the open trolley seats, and the observation seats have reclining seats where you can enjoy the scenery in a relaxed manner.
Ozatoro observation train Aizu Romango <Information>
- Name: Ozatoro observation train Aizu Roman issue
- Period: Operates irregularly on weekends and other days
- Phone number: 0242-28-5885 (Aizu Railway Co., Ltd.)
- Official URL: Aizu Railway Co., Ltd. official website
Abukuma Express Line (Fukushima Station - Tsukigi Station: 24 stations 54.9km)
It runs parallel to the east side of the Tohoku Main Line, joins the Tohoku Main Line at Tsukinoki Station in Miyagi Prefecture, and some trains run directly to Sendai Station.
It is a completely electrified line, which is rare in the third sector, and the new AB900 series trains have been introduced since 2019, and it is said to be a play on the nickname ` `Abukyu''
Recommended points on the Abukuma Express Line!
From the train window, you can enjoy a somewhat nostalgic view of the countryside, orchards, and the Abukuma River.
There are many parks and recreational facilities along the line, and there are plenty of spots where you'll want to get off along the way, such as JAXA's Space Center and Sennan Craft Beer, where you can sample craft beer.
Great value free ticket that allows you to hop on and off as much as you like for one day
the Abukuma Express All Line Free Ticket, which is sold 14 times a year on the first Sunday of every month, New Year's Day, and Railway Day (October 14), you can ride as much as you like for one day and enjoy your journey to your heart's content, stopping off along the way.
There are also various other free tickets such as the ``Abukyu Tokudane Ticket,'' ``Junior High School and High School Fuyu Discount One Coin Ticket,'' and ``Senior Discount One Coin Ticket,'' and basically all tickets allow you to get on and off the train on the day of purchase. It becomes.
Abukuma Express Line <Information>
- Name: Abukuma Express Co., Ltd.
- Official URL: Abukuma Express official website
Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line (Fukushima Station - Iizaka Onsen Station: 12 stations 9.2km)
Fukushima Kotsu's railway line runs from Fukushima Station to Iizaka Onsen Station. Nicknamed ``Iizaka Densha'' and ``Iizaka Densha'' ``Iizaka Onsen'', , and is also a popular means of transportation for local residents to commute to work or school.
From 2016 to 2018, the 1000 series trains acquired from Tokyu Corporation (currently Tokyu Corporation) are in operation.
Recommended points on the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line!
You can enjoy the changing scenery of the train as it passes by private houses and orchards, and competes with cars running on the national highway. At Fukushima Station, the starting point, you can see a rare sight where the same platform is shared with the Abukuma Express Line, which is run by a different company
``One-day Free Ticket,'' which includes unlimited rides and tickets to nine Iizaka Onsen public baths , is a great deal as you can receive discounts and bonus benefits at shops along the line.
Iizaka Onsen (Iizaka Onsen Station)
Outside the pure Japanese-style station building is a hot spring town, and it is one of the three famous hot springs in Oshu, where Matsuo Basho stopped by on the ``Oku-no-Hosomichi'' to admire the charming townscape of the slopes. in the hot spring town that are famous for Fukushima's B-class gourmet dish disc gyoza , and you can enjoy eating them along with Iizaka ramen.
Iizaka Onsen＜Information＞
- Name: Iizaka Onsen
- Address: Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
- Phone number: 024-542-4241 (Iizaka Onsen Tourism Association)
- Official URL: Iizaka Onsen Tourism Association official website
Google Map
Other local trains you should take in Fukushima Prefecture
JR Koriyama Station's conventional lines have three distinct local lines, and it's fun to ride and compare them using Koriyama as your base.
JR Banetsu East Line (Iwaki Station - Koriyama Station: 16 stations 85.6km)
the ``Yuyu Abukuma Line'' because it runs through the Abukuma Highlands , and is the only JR line that runs completely within Fukushima Prefecture.
JR Banetsu West Line (Koriyama Station - Niitsu Station: 43 stations 175.6km)
There is a train that connects directly to Niigata Station, and it is a popular line for enthusiasts as it has switchbacks that can be seen over the mountains.
It is nicknamed the ``Forest, Water, and Romance Railway,'' and ``SL Banetsu Monogatari'' are in operation.
JR Suigun Line (Mito Station - Asaka Nagamori Station: 45 stations 137.5km)
the ``Oku-Kuji Clear Stream Line'' , you can enjoy the scenery as you cross the clear stream of the Kuji River many times.
During the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, special sightseeing trains such as trolley trains operate.
summary
Among the six prefectures in Tohoku, Fukushima Prefecture has the largest number of local lines, and you can also enjoy the local feel on the Tohoku Main Line and Joban Line.
If you use the Shinkansen, you can easily visit from the metropolitan area, and it is recommended for those who like local trains.
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