Things to Do in Date (伊達市), Fukushima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Date (伊達市) in Fukushima Prefecture (Tohoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Miyawaki temple ruins, National Historic Site, Former Kameoka Family Home, Ryōzen Shrine and served by Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) via the regional hub at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen). Set at 58 m elevation (37.8191°N, 140.5630°E), Date offers travelers a base for sampling regional Kitakata shoyu ramen, Kozuyu (Aizu scallop & vegetable lacquerware soup), Wappa-meshi (steamed cedar-box rice) cuisine and exploring neighboring Koori (桑折町) (6.7 km), Kunimi (国見町) (7.8 km), Fukushima (福島市) (10.1 km), Marumori (丸森町) (17.8 km).

Date occupies the eastern half of the Fukushima Basin in northern Fukushima prefecture, with Miyagi Prefecture on its northern border. The area was once noted for sericulture but transitioned to fruit cultivation during the Taishō period. A whole body skeleton of Paleoparadoxia was excavated in Yanagawa on August 21, 1984. The skeleton is named the "Yanagawa Specimen". The economy of Date is primarily agricultural, with an emphasis on rice and horticulture. Within Fukushima Prefecture, Date (伊達市) serves as a city in Fukushima Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2006-01-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Samurai castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, thatched Edo post town of Ouchijuku, volcanic lakes of Urabandai & Mount Bandai, and historic Higashiyama & Iizaka onsen.

What to See & Do in Date (伊達市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Date (伊達市) from Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) at 58 m elevation (37.8191°N, 140.5630°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Date):

• Miyawaki temple ruins, National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Date (伊達市).
• Former Kameoka Family Home — local sightseeing landmark near Date (伊達市).
• Ryōzen Shrine — local sightseeing landmark near Date (伊達市).
• site of Takakogaoka Castle, the original home of the Date Clan — local sightseeing landmark near Date (伊達市).
• Takako Lake, one of Takako Ni-juu Kyou — local sightseeing landmark near Date (伊達市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Date: Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) (connecting to Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Date

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Date (伊達市) and Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Fukushima Prefecture and Tohoku:

• Koori (桑折町) — 6.7 km from Date (Fukushima Prefecture)
• Kunimi (国見町) — 7.8 km from Date (Fukushima Prefecture)
• Fukushima (福島市) — 10.1 km from Date (Fukushima Prefecture)
• Marumori (丸森町) — 17.8 km from Date (Miyagi Prefecture)
• Kawamata (川俣町) — 20.3 km from Date (Fukushima Prefecture)

Getting to Date & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Date (伊達市) via Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km): 1h 20m–1h 35m from Tokyo Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko/Tsubasa to Shin-Shirakawa, Koriyama, or Fukushima. From Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) to reach central Date (37.8191°N, 140.5630°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Fukushima with Date (伊達市) and neighboring Koori, Kunimi, Fukushima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Date, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Date and continuing toward Koori can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Date: While Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) anchors public transit for Date, picking up a rental car at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Miyawaki temple ruins, National Historic Site and Former Kameoka Family Home with nearby Koori (桑折町) (6.7 km), Kunimi (国見町) (7.8 km), Fukushima (福島市) (10.1 km), Marumori (丸森町) (17.8 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Date (伊達市) & Fukushima

Dining near Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) and across Date (伊達市) highlights the regional food culture of Fukushima Prefecture and Tohoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Date:

• Local specialty & terroir of Date (伊達市): sweet peach orchards and basin fruit cultivation alongside irrigated paddy rice cultivation, seasonal produce, and rural satoyama landscapes.
• Kitakata shoyu ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Date (伊達市) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Kozuyu (Aizu scallop & vegetable lacquerware soup) — regional specialty enjoyed across Date (伊達市) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Wappa-meshi (steamed cedar-box rice) — regional specialty enjoyed across Date (伊達市) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Fukushima white peaches — regional specialty enjoyed across Date (伊達市) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Enban gyoza (disc-shaped pan-fried dumplings) — regional specialty enjoyed across Date (伊達市) and Fukushima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Date (伊達市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km).

Where to Stay in Date (伊達市)

Visitors staying overnight in Date (伊達市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km), or base at major rail hubs in Fukushima (Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen)) or neighboring Koori, Kunimi, Fukushima for quick train access into Date. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Date & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Date (伊達市, 58 m elevation at 37.8191°N, 140.5630°E): Mid-April for Miharu Takizakura & Tsuruga Castle blossoms; July–October for Bandai-Azuma skyline and Goshikinuma five-colored lakes; winter for Aizu snow.

Wider sightseeing across Fukushima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Miyawaki temple ruins, National Historic Site in Date (伊達市) includes: Samurai castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, thatched Edo post town of Ouchijuku, volcanic lakes of Urabandai & Mount Bandai, and historic Higashiyama & Iizaka onsen.

Practical Travel Tips for Date (伊達市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Date: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen) or Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) for local bus schedules to Miyawaki temple ruins, National Historic Site and walking maps of Date (伊達市).
• Cash & ATMs in Date: Convenience stores and major hotels around Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Miyawaki temple ruins, National Historic Site often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Date accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Date: Around Ōizumi Station (大泉駅) (0.3 km) and neighboring Koori, Kunimi, Fukushima, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.