[1 Night, 2 Days in Fukushima] Enjoy Spectacular Scenery Shaped by Nature and Great Entertainment!

Take the Aizu Bus Kin-no-Hashi Line bound for Kin-no-Hashi from JR Inawashiro Station and get off at the Nagahama bus stop, and you’ll arrive at Lake Inawashiro, the fourth-largest lake in Japan.
With an area of Approx. 103 square kilometers and a depth of Approx. 93 meters, this lake is known for its clear, beautiful water. You can also see colonies of Suisugigoke moss, a nationally designated Natural Monument, and enjoy soothing views of Mt. Bandai in the far north.

If you visit Lake Inawashiro, be sure to enjoy its grand scale from the water.

The Lake Inawashiro sightseeing boat operates only on weekends, national holidays, and during certain periods, but it offers an Approx. 35-minute lake cruise. There are two boats: the sightseeing boat Hakucho-maru and the sightseeing cruise boat Kame-maru. During the season, each boat runs every 60 minutes. Listen to the onboard announcements introducing the scenery of Lake Inawashiro and Mt. Bandai, and enjoy the cruise on the lake!

After enjoying a cruise around Lake Inawashiro, head to one of Japan’s largest specialty glass galleries. Take the Aizu Bus from the Nagahama bus stop, get off at the Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Hall-mae stop, and it is about a 4-minute walk away.

World Glassware Hall, Inawashiro Shop, in a superb location with sweeping views of Mt. Bandai, is one of Japan’s largest specialty glass galleries, displaying Approx. 25,000 glass items from Japan and abroad. A wide variety of glassworks, including decorative pieces and antiques, are on display, with beauty so striking it may leave you mesmerized.
On the grounds, you’ll also find the Inawashiro Beer Museum, where you can try Inawashiro Beer brewed with famous spring water from Mt. Bandai, and the Inawashiro Okashi-kan, stocked with Fukushima souvenirs, so both are well worth a stop too.

After enjoying World Glassware Hall, Inawashiro Shop, head to Okubo Shoten, a specialty Aizu brand basashi shop, just a short walk away. It’s time for one of the best parts of the trip, lunch!

Okubo Shoten, a basashi specialty shop run by a long-established butcher, serves only top-grade basashi certified as an Aizu Brand. At lunch, be sure to try the popular standard, the “Aizu Brand Basashi Lunch.” The set includes basashi made with tender, flavorful rump meat, along with a special sakura soup made by slowly simmering horse tendon meat and a salad. It’s a great way to fully appreciate the natural flavor of the meat!

After the meal, head to your hot spring stay for the night! From the Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Hall-mae bus stop, go to Inawashiro Station. From there, take the JR Ban’etsu West Line for Approx. 25 minutes to Bandai-Atami Station.

The hot spring town of Bandai-Atami Onsen, just outside the station, has a history of 800 years since its opening and is popular for its waters, also known as “beauty baths.” There is also a footbath in front of the station where you can casually enjoy the uniquely silky feel of the hot spring water.
Before heading to your accommodation, stopping by the footbath to ease your travel fatigue is also recommended.

While strolling through the hot spring town, make your way to today’s accommodation, Yutorelo Bandai-Atami.

This hot spring inn stands in the hot spring town along the Gohyaku River. It is also well known for its meals made with the famous waters of the Gohyaku River.
One of the highlights is Bandai-Atami Onsen, famous for its skin-beautifying waters. You can relax and soak away the fatigue of travel in the open-air bath or large public bath. Another point of note is the kakuuchi bar, stocked with fine local sake that reflects Fukushima’s reputation as a sake-producing region. The easy price of being able to enjoy Japanese sake for one coin is part of the appeal as well.
End the day of your trip with a famous hot spring, delicious food, and fine sake.

Located Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Kaminomata Station, Abukuma Cave is a limestone cave stretching 600 meters and lined with a wide variety of stalactites. It is a popular sightseeing spot known for both the large number and wide variety of its stalactites.

Inside Abukuma Cave, you can closely admire sights such as “Moon World,” a fantastical space created with a theatrical lighting system, and “Takine Goten,” the largest hall in the cave at 29 meters high. The dreamlike scenery created by nature is sure to captivate you.
The general course takes Approx. 30 minutes, but there is also an optional “Exploration Course,” so if you are interested, be sure to check that out too.

After enjoying the natural artistry shaped by the great outdoors, head to Rest House Busan at the exit of Abukuma Cave.

At the restaurant on the second floor, you can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients. For lunch, try one of the signature menu items here: sauce katsudon! This hearty dish features a thick, sandal-sized cutlet dramatically laid over rice and cabbage.
After the meal, head to the shop on the first floor. It is a great place to pick up souvenirs, with original Abukuma Cave items and local specialties from Tamura City on display.

From Abukuma Cave, take a taxi back to Kaminomata Station. Then take the JR Ban’etsu East Line to Iwaki Station, and from there transfer to the Joban Line for Yumoto Station.

From Yumoto Station, take the shuttle bus to Spa Resort Hawaiians. This hot spring entertainment complex brings together a variety of facilities centered around six theme parks using the waters of Iwaki Yumoto Onsen.
Since most of the facilities are indoors and use hot spring water, one of the big draws is that you can enjoy a tropical beach-like atmosphere whenever you visit. Among the highlights, the Hula Girls’ stage performances held twice daily, in the daytime and at night, featuring flowing hula dancing and passionate Tahitian dancing, are not to be missed!
There are also three hotels, so staying one more night in Fukushima is another great option.