VOL.215 MAY 2026
[SPRING SPECIAL ISSUE] ENJOYING JAPAN’S SPRING BY LOCAL TRAINS Remote Tadami Line: Spring Encounters in the Depths of Oku-Aizu

Eleven years after torrential rains forced the closure of part of the line, Tadami Line service has been fully restored, thanks to strong calls from local residents and railway enthusiasts. The line spans a total length of 135.2 km, connecting Aizu-Wakamatsu Station in Fukushima Prefecture and Koide Station in Niigata Prefecture. In this issue, we explore the singularly beautiful scenery that unfolds outside the train window only in springtime — landscapes woven of lingering snow, emerging green growth, and cherry blossoms in bloom.

Route map of the Tadami Line

The Tadami Line traverses Oku-Aizu, a mountainous region that straddles the border between Fukushima and Niigata prefectures, crossing numerous bridges over the Tadami River along its line. With scenic views of the train winding its way through the valley, global media outlets have hailed the line as “the world’s most romantic railway,” attracting many tourists from overseas in recent years.

Still, the Tadami Line was once in danger of closure. Sections of the route became impassable when heavy rain washed away multiple bridges in July 2011. Snow cuts off mountain roads in the region each winter, and the train serves as a vital lifeline for local residents. Fukushima Prefecture, local municipalities along the line, and the railway company responded to urgent requests from residents, working together to restore train service. Thanks to their dedication, the long-awaited resumption of operations for the full line was finally achieved in October 2022.

HAKOZAKI Shota of the Fukushima Prefecture Tadami Line Administrative Office explains, “It is thanks to the Tadami Line that tourists make the journey deep into the mountains of Oku-Aizu. Now that the Tadami Line is restored, municipalities along the line are also quite excited to bring even more energy to their local areas.”

The journey begins at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, gateway to the city that still retains the atmosphere of a historic castle town. From the station, a short bus ride leads to Tsuruga Castle, where the castle tower crowned in red tiles and ornamented by cherry blossoms in full bloom stands in magnificent beauty—a scene that heralds the arrival of spring.

Boarding the Tadami Line and leaving the Aizu Basin behind, the train soon arrives at Aizu-Yanaizu Station, the gateway to the Oku-Aizu region. Near the station, Fukuman Kokuzo Bosatsu Enzoji Temple offers a quintessentially Japanese spring experience — historic temple buildings beautifully complemented by cherry blossoms.

As the train travels along the Tadami River heading into the mountains, the scenery outside the window grows increasingly dynamic. After a while, the train approaches Tadami River Bridge No. 1, an illustrative scenic spot along the Tadami Line. As the train crosses the bridge, a breathtaking view unfolds below— the calm surface of the river reflecting the green mountains.

SAKAI Haruko, who serves as an in-train guide and regional coordinator, says, “From this point onward, the train line crosses a series of bridges over the Tadami River, one after another. The fresh greenery and ever-changing scenery as the train makes its way across each bridge in spring are captivating.”

Getting off the train at Hayato Station to take the rowboats at Mugenkyo is an experience not to be missed. In the past, paddle boats were used to cross the river to reach settlements on the opposite bank, long before bridges were built. Today, local volunteers have revived this traditional ferry culture as a unique attraction for visitors.

“From May to June in particular, snowmelt transforms the Tadami River into a vibrant emerald green, creating a striking contrast with the fresh new green carpeting the surrounding mountains. As temperatures rise, mist tends to gather over the river’s surface. The boats gliding slowly through the fog are a truly magical sight.”

The area around Tadami Station, the westernmost point in Fukushima Prefecture, is rich in nature and home to expansive virgin Japanese beech forests that are also a registered UNESCO Global Geopark (Biosphere Reserves).¹ From April to May, as emerging beech buds break through the lingering snow on the mountainside, the scenery grows more vivid each day.

“The sparse greenery of the morning spreads rapidly by evening, covering the entire mountain in soft new foliage as buds begin to open. In Oku-Aizu, the tender green of the new growth is, I think, an even more beautiful than the cherry blossoms. Just a short hike from Tadami Station, a roughly two-hour trek through the beech forest offers views of the fresh spring greenery.”

On the Tadami Line, passengers are occasionally greeted by local residents waving at the train. This is based on the “Everyone Wave to the Tadami Line” ordinance adopted by six municipalities along the line — starting with Uonuma City in Niigata Prefecture, and including five towns and villages in Fukushima Prefecture, such as Tadami Town. The ordinance was adopted to foster a warm custom of waving at any train one sees to convey hospitality to passengers, while encouraging and deepening local residents’ affection for the Tadami Line.

Along the Tadami Line, the varying elevations create a relay of peak seasons, as cherry blossoms and fresh greenery appear in succession from mid-April through May. One of its charms is that, during the season, passengers are sure to encounter signs of spring somewhere along the route.

“Oku-Aizu is a place where Japan’s original landscapes and the warmth of its people are still cherished today. I hope riding the Tadami Line gives one the same warmth and comfort as coming home.”

• 1. The UNESCO Global Geopark project is aimed at blending ecosystem conservation with sustainable utilization. These initiatives develop local communities, while preserving their natural environment and culture. There are 10 registered UNESCO Global Geoparks in Japan.

By MURAKAMI Kayo
Photo: Aizu-Wakamatsu Tourism Bureau; SAKAI Haruko; Fukushima Prefecture; PIXTA