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Tadami Line

Tadami Line: Japan's most scenic local train line (Fukushima Prefecture)

There is a local line that is praised with expressions such as
" a local line with spectacular scenery " This is
Tadami Line, which spans the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture and the Uonuma region of Niigata Prefecture In this article, the attractions of the Tadami Line, such as its scenery and spots along the line , as well as a brief history of the Tadami Line.

The Tadami Line was chosen as the number one scenic local line

The Tadami Line is a 135.2 km JR East line that connects Aizuwakamatsu Station in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, to Koide Station in Uonuma City
, Niigata Prefecture. Aizuwakamatsu Station can be reached in about an hour by taking a train on the Ban'etsu West Line from Koriyama Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen.
Koide Station can be reached in about 40 minutes by taking a train on the Joetsu Line from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen, or in about 10 minutes from Urasa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen.

It takes more than four hours to ride the entire Tadami Line.
Also, there are usually only three round trips per day between Aizu-Kawaguchi Station and Tadami Station, so if you're traveling to ride the Tadami Line from afar, it's probably best to plan
an overnight trip along the line Also, during the autumn foliage season, special trains such as the rapid "Tadami Line Mankitsugo" run between Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and Tadami Station.
Even so, the trains can get crowded during the autumn foliage season.

While the Tadami Line's low population density is reflected in the frequency of trains, the beautiful scenery that can be seen from the train windows makes a globally acclaimed local line .
In "Scenic Local Line Ranking" poll conducted in the winter of 2022 took
first place also previously first in the "Top Ten Railways for Beautiful Autumn Foliage" third in the
Top Ten Local Lines for Beautiful Snow Scenery." Its international recognition is also growing, with rave reviews on the Chinese internet calling it "the world's most romantic railway" and ranking second among "Japanese tourist destinations to visit after COVID-19" by foreigners living in Japan.
There are many old houses along the line, and the Tadami Line retains many of the traditional Japanese countryside scenery that was once common throughout Japan.

Beautiful scenery all year round

Japan has many places where you can see beautiful scenery that is only seasonal, such as famous cherry blossom viewing spots, autumn foliage viewing spots, and snow scenes.
However, the Tadami Line offers beautiful scenery all year round .

Fresh greenery in spring, fog in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snow in winter provide enjoyment to visitors throughout the year. The
fact that it is impossible to fully appreciate the scenery in just one visit is probably another reason why the Tadami Line is so captivating.

Attractive spots along the Tadami Line

We will introduce some of the attractive tourist spots and spots where you can enjoy beautiful scenery that are dotted along the Tadami Line

Daiichi Tadami River Bridge

The First Tadami River Bridge, located between Aizu-Hibara Station and Aizu-Nishikata Station, is one of the most famous scenic spots on the Tadami Line.
If you're visiting this view spot by train, we recommend
renting a bicycle The Karakoron Tourist Exchange Center is a town tourist information center converted from an old house, adding to the enjoyment of your trip.
Then, park your bike at the Oze Kaido Mishimajuku Roadside Station, about 15 minutes east on National Route 252, and walk up the hill via the promenade at the back of the parking lot.
you can enjoy the view of the bridge and train reflected in the river like a mirror, or the misty scenery from the hilltop

Daiichi Tadami River Bridge＜Information＞

Google Maps

Miyashita Arch's three brothers (bridges)

Near Aizu-Miyashita Station, there are three bridges known as
the "Three Miyashita Arch Brothers." From top to bottom, they carry National Route 252, the Tadami Line, and Prefectural Route 237, making a total of three arch bridges lined up, a unique sight that can only be seen here in Japan.

Miyashita Arch Three Brothers (Bridge) <Information>

Google Maps

Mugenkyo Ferry

The Mugenkyo Ferry, which can be boarded from near Hayato Station, is a rowboat.
Guided by the boatman, you can take a round trip across the Tadami River (about 45 minutes) or enjoy a stroll around the surrounding area (about 90 minutes including the boat ride).
Please note that you must make a reservation in advance to board the ferry.

Mugenkyo Ferry ＜Information＞

  • Name Mugenkyo Ferry
  • Location: Ozumaki, Hayato, Mishima-machi, Onuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Inquiry number: 0241-42-7211 (weekdays), 0241-54-2855 (holidays)
  • Opening hours: 7:00 - sunset (advance reservations required)
  • Closed from late November to mid-April. Even outside of winter, the service may be suspended suddenly due to weather or river conditions
  • URL Mugenkyo Ferry Official Reservation Site

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Hayato Onsen Tsurunoyu

Source: Wikipedia
- Own work by contributor - Own work, CC BY 3.0 , https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=124238828

Hayato Onsen Tsurunoyu is a hot spring within walking distance of Hayato Station that is also open for day trips.
It is a natural medicinal hot spring that is said to have been in operation for 1,200 years.
From the open-air bath, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Tadami River Valley.

Hayato Onsen Tsurunoyu <Information>

  • Name: Hayato Onsen Tsurunoyu
  • Address: 888 Yunohira, Hayato, Mishima-machi, Onuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Inquiry number: 0241-52-3324
  • URL Hayato Onsen Tsurunoyu

Google Maps

Kaneyama Community Square

From Aizu-Kankawaguchi Station, head towards Aizu-Nakagawa Station on National Route 252 and you'll come to Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba , where you can see the Tadami Line running along the river and the Oshi village and satoyama beyond. You can enjoy
the picturesque scenery, woven together in a magnificent composition.

Kaneyama Community Square <Information>

Google Maps

Tagokura Hometown Museum

"Furusatokan Tagokura" is a museum located near Tadami Station.
It exhibits materials that convey the history and culture of the Tagokura village, which is now submerged under the Tagokura Dam.
Since the section of the Tadami Line between Aizu-Kawaguchi and Tadami was built to transport materials for the construction of Tagokura Dam, materials related to the history of the Tadami Line are also on display.

All trains that go beyond Tadami Station stop there for at least 10 minutes, so
you can take advantage of this time to enjoy some local gourmet food at the Tadami Town Information Center in front of the station.

Kaneyama Community Square <Information>

  • Name: Hometown Museum Tagokura
  • Address: 1299 Tanaka, Tadami, Tadami-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Inquiry number: 0241-72-8466
  • Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:00)
  • Closed on Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays
  • URLAbout Furusatokan Tagokura

Google Maps

History of the Tadami Line

Source: Wikipedia
Author: BehBeh, CC BY 3.0 , https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12736176

The Tadami Line was not opened in its entirety at once, but rather in sections that were opened in succession.
The first section to open was from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Aizubange Station in 1926, the last year of the Taisho era.
It was also called the "Aizu Line" rather than the Tadami Line.
The Aizu Line was repeatedly extended, reaching Aizu-Miyashita Station in 1941.
Meanwhile, on the Niigata Prefecture side, the section from Koide Station to Oshirakawa Station opened in 1942, and this section was named the "Tadami Line."

After the war, in 1956, the Aizu Line was extended to Aizu-Kawaguchi Station.
Furthermore, the section of track from Aizu-Kawaguchi Station to Tadami Station was also built as a freight line to transport materials for the construction of Tagokura Dam.
After the dam was completed, this freight line was handed over to the Japanese National Railways (the predecessor of JR), and the Aizu Line was extended and opened in 1963.

Then, in 1971, the section between Tadami Station and Oshirakawa Station was extended and opened, completing the entire line from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Koide Station, and the line was renamed the "Tadami Line."
This was 45 years after the initial opening of the Aizu Line.
As the Tadami Line crosses the border between Fukushima and Niigata prefectures, passenger traffic is low, and there were times when its closure was considered, even before it was fully opened.
However, because the parallel National Route 252 is closed in winter, the Tadami Line has a history of being spared from closure as it is the only means of transport that can reliably cross prefectural borders even in winter.

However, 40 years after its completion, the Tadami Line faced its greatest crisis in July 2011.
Heavy rains caused extensive damage, including the washing away of bridges.
The following October 2012, service was restored except for the section between Aizu-Kawaguchi Station and Tadami Station. However, due to the extent of the damage and the particularly poor usage of this section prior to the disaster, restoration work was not initially carried out.
However, in areas along the line where roads are closed in winter, there is a strong trust in the railway, and the line was restored by adopting a "vertical separation system" in which Fukushima Prefecture and municipalities along the line own the land and railway facilities, while JR East operates the trains.
On October 1, 2022, the Tadami Line resumed full operation for the first time in 11 years.

summary

The Tadami Line is a local line that is particularly highly acclaimed for the spectacular views that can be seen from the train windows and along the tracks.
Although it suffered extensive damage in the 2011 heavy rain disaster, it made a miraculous recovery.
We sincerely hope that the Tadami Line will continue to be used for tourism and regional development.
Be sure to visit the Tadami Line, which offers fascinating scenery in every season.

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