Wallet-friendly Winter Travel with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area)! Journey through the Wonderland on this Best Kept Secret, the Tadami Line.

This journey begins at JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.
From Narita Airport, you can take The Narita Express (N’EX) and reach Tokyo in about an hour. If coming from Haneda Airport, first hop on the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station, which takes about 13 minutes, and then transfer to the JR line to get to Tokyo Station in about 4 minutes. From Tokyo Station, board the Tohoku Shinkansen and travel for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Koriyama Station in Fukushima Prefecture. Then, switch to the JR Ban-etsu-West Line and in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, you'll arrive at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, the starting point of the Tadami Line.
Around Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, there are historical spots such as Tsuruga Castle, one of Japan's top 100 castles, and Iimori Hill, associated with the Byakkotai samurai brigade. These spots are definite musts and a perfect add-on as you set out on a train journey via the Tadami Line.

◎ From Narita Airport & Haneda Airport:
Narita Airport Station → Approx. 1 hour on The Narita Express (N’EX) → Tokyo Station
Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station → Approx. 13 minutes on the Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho Station → Transfer to JR Yamanote Line for about 4 minutes → Tokyo Station.

◎ From Tokyo Station:
Tokyo Station → Transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen for about 1 hour 20 minutes → Koriyama Station → Transfer to the JR Ban-etsu-West Line for about 1 hour 15 minutes → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.

The Tadami Line is a local railway line that spans approximately 135km, connecting the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture with the Uonuma area of Niigata Prefecture. The surrounding area is one of Japan's most renowned heavy snow regions. In the winter, the national highway that runs parallel often becomes impassable due to snow, making the railway a crucial mode of transportation for the local residents.
One of the biggest draws here is the absolutely breathtaking scenery of nature in every season: the fresh greenery of spring, the river mists of summer, the autumn leaves, and the snowy landscapes of winter. As the train passes through numerous bridges and tunnels, the views from the window are guaranteed to recharge and refresh your spirit!

While there are numerous scenic spots scattered along the Tadami Line, here are some highlights that can be seen between Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and Tadami Station easily as you hop on and off using the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area).

To start, the most famous scenic spot along the Tadami Line is the acclaimed First Tadami River Bridge. Here, the Tadami River acts as a mirror, reflecting the surrounding scenery and creating an illusionary landscape with rising river mists. From Michi-no-Eki Oze Kaido Mishima-juku, about a 5-minute drive from Aizu-Miyashita Station, you can feast your eyes on panoramic views out over the First Tadami River Bridge.

Next up is Kaneyama Fureai Park, located about 10 minutes from Aizu-Kawaguchi Station. Positioned where the Tadami River makes a sharp curve and the looming Oshi settlement at its back, the sight of the train as it swings by along the river is so picture-perfect some even call it the "Switzerland of Japan".

As an added perk, the Tadami Line has a special "Hospitality Program" on weekends and holidays in specific sections and times. Within the train, local specialties such as "awamanju" (sweet buns) and natural sparkling water are available for purchase. The staff also provides detailed information about the scenic points and other local insights, making it a great idea to plan a train journey on the Tadami Line over the weekend.

The Tadami Line draws many travelers with its many remote hot springs dotted along the way. Accessible from Nishi-Wakamatsu Station is the Aizu Higashiyama Onsen, said to have been discovered about 1,300 years ago by the esteemed monk Gyoki. This renowned hot spring was visited by warriors such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Hijikata Toshizo, as well as cultural figures like Yosano Akiko and Takehisa Yumeji. In addition to the unique hot spring inns, there's also a free foot bath available for a dip.

The Tadami River, known for its scenic view at the "First Tadami Bridge", also operates sightseeing boats.
From Hayato Station, just a short walk away, you can enjoy the Mugenkyo Ferry, a roughly 45-minute tour around the gorge of the Tadami River. True to its name "Mugenkyo" (Mist Phantom Gorge), in the early mornings and evenings of summer, the river is often shrouded in mist, offering a dreamlike experience as you cruise through it. The area is also dotted with statues of Jizo and shrines that have been said to have protected the land from various disasters, making it all the buzz when bringing up power spots.

The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area) is a pass that allows unlimited rides on specified routes within the covered area for 5 days. It includes access to five Shinkansen lines originating and terminating in Tokyo, including the Tohoku Shinkansen, as well as the entire Aoimori Railway lines and the Iwate Galaxy Railway(IGR) lines, offering broad coverage for travels in Eastern Japan. On the Tadami Line, the stretch from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Tadami Station is included in the pass. With just this pass, one can travel from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport all the way to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. Not only tourists visiting Japan but also foreign residents living in Japan can use this pass.

The Tadami Line and its surroundings offer breathtaking views that captivate visitors no matter when they come. In winter, the landscape transforms into a picturesque scene reminiscent of an ink wash painting, blanketed in pure white snow. And to warm your chilled body, there are hot springs ready to help you soak and melt away. Reach this "hidden gem" in just under three hours from Tokyo Station and get ready for budget-friendly perks with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area)!