Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Fukushima Prefecture (福島県)
Fukushima Prefecture (福島県) is located in the Tohoku region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Fukushima and primary transport gateway at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen). Spanning 59 cities, towns, and villages, Fukushima is renowned for Samurai castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, thatched Edo post town of Ouchijuku, volcanic lakes of Urabandai & Mount Bandai, and historic Higashiyama & Iizaka onsen.
| Fukushima Prefecture (福島県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Tohoku · Capital: Fukushima |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen) |
| Municipalities Covered | 59 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Iwaki (いわき市), Kōriyama (郡山市), Fukushima (福島市), Aizuwakamatsu (会津若松市), Sukagawa (須賀川市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Kitakata shoyu ramen, Kozuyu (Aizu scallop & vegetable lacquerware soup), Wappa-meshi (steamed cedar-box rice), Fukushima white peaches, Enban gyoza (disc-shaped pan-fried dumplings) |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Fukushima Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Fukushima or planning regional day trips from Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen), these top municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Iwaki (いわき市) — Core city (pop. 349,947, 1,231.34 km²) served by Iwaki Station (いわき駅) (1.0 km); key local sights include Iino Hachimangū Shinto shrine, Iwaki Onahama Minato Oasis, Iwaki Sun Marina.
- Kōriyama (郡山市) — Core city (pop. 339,395, 757.06 km²) served by Kōriyama Station (郡山駅) (2.6 km); key local sights include Takahiro Yama (8.9 km), Tsuruishi Yama (10.7 km), Myōken Yama (13.5 km).
- Fukushima (福島市) — Core city (pop. 289,355, 746.43 km²) served by Fukushima Station (福島駅) (1.6 km); key local sights include Eboshiga Take (9.9 km), Megami Yama (10.0 km), Kuromori Yama (11.4 km).
- Aizuwakamatsu (会津若松市) — City (pop. 129,388, 383.03 km²) served by Aizuwakamatsu Station (会津若松駅) (1.6 km); key local sights include Aizuwakamatsu Castle, Aizu Matsudaira's Royal Garden, Mount Iimori.
- Sukagawa (須賀川市) — City (pop. 80,336, 279.55 km²) served by Sukagawa Station (須賀川駅) (1.5 km); key local sights include Beizanji Sutra Mounds, Fujinuma Dam, Sukagawa Ichirizuka.
- Minamisōma (南相馬市) — City (pop. 71,761, 398.50 km²) served by Haranomachi Station (原ノ町駅) (1.3 km); key local sights include Ruins of Odaka Castle, Sōma Nakamura Shrine (12.4 km), Haramachi Hibari-no-hara (Soma Nomaoi Grounds) (2.1 km).
How to get to Fukushima Prefecture
1h 20m–1h 35m from Tokyo Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko/Tsubasa to Shin-Shirakawa, Koriyama, or Fukushima. Once at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen), JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 59 municipalities in Fukushima. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Fukushima
When visiting cities across Fukushima, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Kitakata shoyu ramen — regional culinary specialty across Fukushima Prefecture (福島県).
- Kozuyu (Aizu scallop & vegetable lacquerware soup) — regional culinary specialty across Fukushima Prefecture (福島県).
- Wappa-meshi (steamed cedar-box rice) — regional culinary specialty across Fukushima Prefecture (福島県).
- Fukushima white peaches — regional culinary specialty across Fukushima Prefecture (福島県).
- Enban gyoza (disc-shaped pan-fried dumplings) — regional culinary specialty across Fukushima Prefecture (福島県).
Best time to visit Fukushima
Mid-April for Miharu Takizakura & Tsuruga Castle blossoms; July–October for Bandai-Azuma skyline and Goshikinuma five-colored lakes; winter for Aizu snow.
All 59 cities & municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizuwakamatsu 会津若松市 | City | 129,388 | 383.03 km² | City guide → |
| Fukushima 福島市 | Core city | 289,355 | 746.43 km² | City guide → |
| Kōriyama 郡山市 | Core city | 339,395 | 757.06 km² | City guide → |
| Sukagawa 須賀川市 | City | 80,336 | 279.55 km² | City guide → |
| Sōma 相馬市 | City | 38,543 | 197.67 km² | City guide → |
| Iwaki いわき市 | Core city | 349,947 | 1,231.34 km² | City guide → |
| Tamura 田村市 | City | 42,221 | 458.30 km² | City guide → |
| Shirakawa 白河市 | City | 65,665 | 305.30 km² | City guide → |
| Nihonmatsu 二本松市 | City | 61,698 | 344.65 km² | City guide → |
| Minamisōma 南相馬市 | City | 71,761 | 398.50 km² | City guide → |
| Date 伊達市 | City | 67,487 | 265.10 km² | City guide → |
| Kitakata 喜多方市 | City | 54,684 | 554.67 km² | City guide → |
| Motomiya 本宮市 | City | 31,737 | 87.94 km² | City guide → |
| Yugawa 湯川村 | Village (村) | 3,402 | 16.37 km² | City guide → |
| Yanaizu 柳津町 | Town (町) | 3,825 | 175.82 km² | City guide → |
| Tadami 只見町 | Town (町) | 4,801 | 747.56 km² | City guide → |
| Shimogō 下郷町 | Town (町) | 6,344 | 317.04 km² | City guide → |
| Nishiaizu 西会津町 | Town (町) | 7,290 | 298.18 km² | City guide → |
| Kaneyama 金山町 | Town (町) | 2,350 | 293.92 km² | City guide → |
| Hinoemata 檜枝岐村 | Village (村) | 600 | 390.46 km² | City guide → |
| Aizubange 会津坂下町 | Town (町) | 17,185 | 91.59 km² | City guide → |
| Yabuki 矢吹町 | Town (町) | 17,855 | 60.4 km² | City guide → |
| Ten'ei 天栄村 | Village (村) | 6,176 | 225.52 km² | City guide → |
| Tanagura 棚倉町 | Town (町) | 14,902 | 159.93 km² | City guide → |
| Tamakawa 玉川村 | Village (村) | 7,111 | 46.67 km² | City guide → |
| Samegawa 鮫川村 | Village (村) | 3,924 | 131.34 km² | City guide → |
| Ōtama 大玉村 | Village (村) | 8,496 | 79.44 km² | City guide → |
| Ōkuma 大熊町 | Town (町) | 10,958 | 78.71 km² | City guide → |
| Nishigō 西郷村 | Village (村) | 19,986 | 192.06 km² | City guide → |
| Miharu 三春町 | Town (町) | 18,223 | 72.76 km² | City guide → |
| Kunimi 国見町 | Town (町) | 9,943 | 37.9 km² | City guide → |
| Koori 桑折町 | Town (町) | 12,551 | 42.97 km² | City guide → |
| Kitashiobara 北塩原村 | Village (村) | 3,121 | 234.08 km² | City guide → |
| Kawamata 川俣町 | Town (町) | 14,965 | 127.7 km² | City guide → |
| Izumizaki 泉崎村 | Village (村) | 6,766 | 35.43 km² | City guide → |
| Inawashiro 猪苗代町 | Town (町) | 15,649 | 394.85 km² | City guide → |
| Iitate 飯舘村 | Village (村) | 6,329 | 230.13 km² | City guide → |
| Bandai 磐梯町 | Town (町) | 3,759 | 59.77 km² | City guide → |
| Asakawa 浅川町 | Town (町) | 6,922 | 37.43 km² | City guide → |
| Furudono 古殿町 | Town (町) | 5,990 | 163.29 km² | City guide → |
| Futaba 双葉町 | Town (町) | 6,467 | 51.42 km² | City guide → |
| Hanawa 塙町 | Town (町) | 9,601 | 211.41 km² | City guide → |
| Hirata 平田村 | Village (村) | 6,786 | 93.42 km² | City guide → |
| Hirono 広野町 | Town (町) | 5,207 | 58.69 km² | City guide → |
| Ishikawa 石川町 | Town (町) | 16,848 | 115.71 km² | City guide → |
| Kagamiishi 鏡石町 | Town (町) | 12,888 | 31.3 km² | City guide → |
| Katsurao 葛尾村 | Village (村) | 1,508 | 84.37 km² | City guide → |
| Kawauchi 川内村 | Village (村) | 2,767 | 197.35 km² | City guide → |
| Minamiaizu 南会津町 | Town (町) | 17,591 | 886.52 km² | City guide → |
| Mishima 三島町 | Town (町) | 1,868 | 90.81 km² | City guide → |
| Nakajima 中島村 | Village (村) | 5,179 | 18.92 km² | City guide → |
| Namie 浪江町 | Town (町) | 19,402 | 223.14 km² | City guide → |
| Naraha 楢葉町 | Town (町) | 7,560 | 103.64 km² | City guide → |
| Ono 小野町 | Town (町) | 11,084 | 125.11 km² | City guide → |
| Shinchi 新地町 | Town (町) | 7,957 | 46.7 km² | City guide → |
| Shōwa 昭和村 | Village (村) | 1,442 | 209.46 km² | City guide → |
| Tomioka 富岡町 | Town (町) | 14,338 | 68.39 km² | City guide → |
| Yamatsuri 矢祭町 | Town (町) | 6,324 | 118.27 km² | City guide → |
| Aizumisato 会津美里町 | Town (町) | 22,358 | 276.33 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Fukushima Prefecture (福島県)?
Top highlights across Fukushima Prefecture (福島県) in Japan's Tohoku region include Samurai castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, thatched Edo post town of Ouchijuku, volcanic lakes of Urabandai & Mount Bandai, and historic Higashiyama & Iizaka onsen. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Fukushima include Iwaki (いわき市), Kōriyama (郡山市), Fukushima (福島市), Aizuwakamatsu (会津若松市), Sukagawa (須賀川市).
How do I get to Fukushima Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Fukushima Prefecture is Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen) (prefectural capital: Fukushima). 1h 20m–1h 35m from Tokyo Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko/Tsubasa to Shin-Shirakawa, Koriyama, or Fukushima. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Fukushima Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Fukushima Prefecture (福島県) include Kitakata shoyu ramen, Kozuyu (Aizu scallop & vegetable lacquerware soup), Wappa-meshi (steamed cedar-box rice), Fukushima white peaches, Enban gyoza (disc-shaped pan-fried dumplings)—served at station restaurants around Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen), local morning markets, and izakaya in Fukushima and Kōriyama.
When is the best time of year to visit Fukushima Prefecture?
Mid-April for Miharu Takizakura & Tsuruga Castle blossoms; July–October for Bandai-Azuma skyline and Goshikinuma five-colored lakes; winter for Aizu snow. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.