Fukushima travel guide: top sights, food, festivals, hot springs & where to stay (2026)

By World Lens EditorsUpdated November 2, 20263 min read

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This translation was generated by AI and may contain wording that differs from the facts. Please check the Japanese original or official sources for anything important. Japanese original

Quick facts

Region: Tohoku
Capital: Fukushima
Population: 1.8 million
Climate: Pacific side
Cherry blossom (average): 5 April
No. 1 in Japan: Third largest in area, second for peaches — Three regions with distinct climates: Hamadori, Nakadori and Aizu

⭐ Top sights

⭐

Ouchi-juku Post Town

A perfectly preserved Edo-period post town of thatched houses. Try soba eaten with a whole leek as chopsticks.

Find a hotel nearby

🏯

Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle (Tsuruga Castle)

Withstood a month-long siege in the Boshin War. Its red-tiled keep is the only one in Japan

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🍲 Local food

Kozuyu, Kitakata ramen, ika-ninjin

Kozuyu, Aizu's celebration soup, simmers ingredients in a scallop broth. Kitakata has one of Japan's highest numbers of ramen shops per capita

🏮 Festivals & events

Fukushima Waraji Festival — Early August. A 12-metre straw sandal is carried through the streets. Rooted in the faith of Haguro Shrine
Soma Nomaoi — Late May. A procession of some 400 armoured horseback warriors and a race to seize sacred flags. Over 1,000 years of history; held in May since 2024

🏨 Where to stay in Fukushima

The area around Fukushima, the capital, has the best transport links and the widest choice of hotels; a night at a hot-spring town is also worth it.

Other prefectures in the region

Aomori · Iwate · Miyagi · Akita · Yamagata · 47 prefectures

Frequently asked questions

What is Fukushima famous for food-wise?

Fukushima's best-known local dishes are Kozuyu, Kitakata ramen, ika-ninjin. Kozuyu, Aizu's celebration soup, simmers ingredients in a scallop broth. Kitakata has one of Japan's highest numbers of ramen shops per capita

What are the top sights in Fukushima?

Top picks in Fukushima include Ouchi-juku Post Town, Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle (Tsuruga Castle).

When do cherry blossoms bloom in Fukushima?

In Fukushima (Fukushima), Somei-yoshino cherry trees usually start blooming around 5 April, reaching full bloom about a week later.

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