In March 2011, news outlets around the world reported the name "Fukushima." March 2026 marks 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Now, when you visit the coastal area of Fukushima Prefecture known as "Hamadori," you will find a blue, tranquil sea, cutting-edge facilities, and the vibrant smiles of energetic people—scenes that are unimaginable from the news footage of that time.
This time, a FUN! JAPAN editor visited the Hamadori area of Fukushima Prefecture for on-site coverage. We will introduce the "truth" about Fukushima that you may think you know but actually don't, as well as a new style of travel that can only be experienced now.
*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
🚅 Reserve your Shinkansen tickets with NAVITIME Travel! 👉Click here
🛫 Book your flight tickets with NAVITIME Travel! 👉Click here
What is the "Hamadori" Area? The Coast of Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture is divided into three major areas by the Ou Mountains and the Abukuma Highlands.
- Aizu: The mountainous region in the west. Rich in history and nature, with sites like Tsurugajo Castle and onsen hot springs.
- Nakadori: The central plain. Home to cities like Fukushima and Koriyama, and a key transportation hub with the Shinkansen running through it.
- Hamadori: The eastern coastal area. Facing the Pacific Ocean, it is known for its mild climate and abundant seafood.
The "Hamadori" area introduced here refers to the coastal region stretching about 160 km from Iwaki City to Shinchi Town. Although it suffered extensive damage in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, it is now one of the most exciting places in Japan, serving as a hub for the "Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework," where future industries such as robotics and energy are gathering.
The Truth About "Safety" You Should Know Before Your Trip
Some people may still wonder, "Is it really safe to visit Fukushima as a tourist?" However, the data dispels these concerns.
Air Dose Rates Are on Par with Major Cities Worldwide
The radiation levels at major tourist spots in the Hamadori area are currently around 0.04 to 0.1 microsieverts per hour. This is almost the same as in major cities around the world such as Tokyo, New York, and London. Monitoring posts displaying real-time radiation levels are installed throughout the towns, allowing anyone to check the data for themselves and ensuring transparency.
The World's Strictest "Food Safety Standards"
The food from Fukushima can now be said to be "the most thoroughly tested ingredients in the world." Japan's standard for radioactive substances (100 becquerels/kg) is far stricter than those in Europe and the United States (1,000–1,250 becquerels/kg), and products from Fukushima are only shipped to market after thorough inspections.
The Latest Spots in Hamadori Where the Sea and the Future Come Together
Now, after rebuilding from scratch, Hamadori is transforming into the place where the “newest” things in Japan are born. Here, we introduce some of the most noteworthy spots and initiatives in the area.
【Tomioka Town】“Tomioka Winery” – Savor Wine and Fine Cuisine Nurtured by the Pacific Sea Breeze
In March 2016, led by Shuubun Endo, a group of ten volunteers from Tomioka who had been evacuated to various locations throughout the prefecture began cultivating wine grapes in Tomioka. Today, more than 40 members participate in this activity, which offers hands-on grape cultivation experiences throughout the year. The land, once damaged by the tsunami and nuclear disaster, has now been transformed into beautiful vineyards.
The wines made from grapes grown in the sea breeze are crisp, easy to drink, and pair well with food. According to Mr. Endo, they are still experimenting to find which grape varieties best suit the land, but he is especially committed to producing white wines such as Chardonnay that pair well with local seafood. It will be exciting to see how the flavors evolve over time.
The winery features a restaurant, a shop, and the earthquake memorial “Kibou no Kura.” The restaurant “Lares” boasts a superb location with large glass windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean and JR Joban Line trains passing by just outside. Guests can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine that pairs local ingredients with wine, as well as BBQ on the terrace.
At the shop “Telus,” you can of course purchase Tomioka wines, and also sample five different wines by the glass (25cc, from 385 yen per glass).
Adjacent to the shop is “Kibou no Kura,” the only building left standing after all the surrounding houses were swept away by the tsunami. Mr. Endo decided to preserve it as an “earthquake memorial” to pass on the tragedy and lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake to future generations and to raise disaster awareness. The interior is open to the public, where you can see old farming equipment that was actually used and traces showing how high the tsunami reached near the ceiling.
Tomioka Winery
- Address: 36-1 Kohama Sorimachi, Tomioka Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture
- Access: 10 minutes on foot from Tomioka Station
- Business hours: [Restaurant] Weekday lunch 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:00), weekend and holiday lunch 10:30–15:30 (last order 14:30), dinner (reservation required) 17:00–21:00 (last order 20:00) [Shop] 10:00–17:00
- Closed: [Restaurant] Wednesday [Shop] Tuesday and Wednesday
- URL: https://tomioka-winery.jp/
【Namie Town】Pokémon and Local Gourmet Hub “Michi-no-Eki Namie”
At "Michi-no-Eki Namie," you’ll find Lucky Park, where Lucky, the "Fukushima Support Pokémon," welcomes visitors. The park is bustling not only as a playground for children but also as a popular photo spot for Pokémon fans and tourists.
Inside the food court, you can enjoy "Namie Yakisoba," known for its extra-thick noodles, as well as fresh seafood rice bowls featuring "Joban-mono" seafood.
At the souvenir shop, you’ll find not only Fukushima’s classic souvenirs but also products unique to Namie Town. One section of the shop features a corner of Japan’s popular lifestyle brand "MUJI," where you can purchase MUJI goods and daily necessities.
At "Namie no Waza Nariwai-kan," you can buy locally brewed sake and enjoy displays, sales, and hands-on experiences with the traditional craft of Obori Soma ware. Pottery workshops are also available with reservations made at least three days in advance.
The editor’s recommendation is the Amazake Soft Serve icecream at "Namie no Waza Nariwai-kan." If you order it in a cup, it’s served in a paper container modeled after a traditional sake masu box. The Gin Koji Amazake Soft Serve is made with sake rice used for "Iwaki Kotobuki," a sake brewed by Suzuki Shuzo, a sake brewery in Namie Town. The refreshing sweetness, packed with the rich umami of fermentation, is truly addictive.
Michi-no-Eki Namie
- Address: 60 Chimeiji, Ikusebashi, Namie-machi, Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- Access: 15 minutes on foot from Namie Station
- Hours: 10:00–18:00
- Closed: Last Wednesday of every month (Namie no Waza Nariwai-kan is closed every Wednesday)
- URL: https://michinoeki-namie.jp/
【Okuma Town】A Place Where New Agriculture and Food Culture Are Emerging
Okuma Town is now attracting great attention as a hub for new forms of agriculture and food culture.
Vibrant Hubs: "Kuma SUN Terrace" and "CREVA Okuma"
"Kuma SUN Terrace," newly opened in front of JR Ono Station, is a new gathering place for people from inside and outside the town. It features a convenience store, cafés, and shops using local ingredients, all housed in a modern architectural design that warmly welcomes visitors. There is also a bright and clean kids’ space.
Adjacent to it is the industrial exchange facility "CREVA Okuma," which serves as a hub for people embarking on new ventures. The building houses several offices, and its multipurpose hall and coworking space are open for anyone to use freely. You can see people working on laptops using the free Wi-Fi or students studying.
- Address: 116-5 Ono, Shimonokami, Okuma-machi, Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
- Access: 1 minute on foot from Ono Station
- Hours: [Kuma SUN Terrace] Varies by store. *Kids’ room 9:00–17:00 [CREVA Okuma] 8:00–20:00
- Closed: Open year-round (except for facility maintenance and other temporary closures)
- URL: https://okuma-creva-kumasun.jp/
"FUN EAT MAKERS in Okuma" Producing New Food Experiences
Fukushima Prefecture Okuma Town is home to an agricultural, culinary, and accommodation facility. In addition to offering healthy and delicious menus centered on vegetables, they also sell fresh vegetables directly.
The vegetables are grown using the latest equipment and environmentally friendly, hygienic cultivation methods, resulting in vegetables packed with flavor and truly exquisite taste. We had the chance to sample several varieties of cherry tomatoes, and they were so sweet they tasted just like fruit.
There are also plans to open an attached accommodation facility in the future. In 2026, a large supermarket is scheduled to open nearby, so this area is sure to become the lively center of the town.
- Address: 94-5 Hara, Shimonokami, Okuma Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture
- Access: 5 minutes by car or bus from Ono Station
- Business hours: 11:00–16:00 (last order 15:30)
- Closed: Sundays *Please check the official Instagram for details
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/funeatmakers_okuma/
👉Order tomatoes here
Passing Down Flavors: “Kiwi no Kuni” Opened by New Residents
Okuma Town was once known for its kiwi cultivation. The tradition is now being carried on by a young person who moved here from a completely different industry. After learning the secrets of cultivation from a local veteran farmer, “Kiwi no Kuni” was revived. The passion that transcends generations and regions is turning this once-famous local specialty back into a source of pride for Okuma.
As soon as we tried the kiwi, we were amazed by its sweetness, unlike any we had tasted before. The variety is called “Benihime,” which has a reddish flesh inside.
However, “Kiwi no Kuni” does not usually sell directly, so please check their official social media and try purchasing at various events or through online shops.
【Disaster Remains】Connecting to the Future: Namie Municipal Ukedo Elementary School
This is a disaster memorial that conveys the threat of tsunamis to the present day. However, this is not a place of sorrow. It is a place where the “story of hope” lies, as all the students were safely evacuated at the time of the earthquake. It is a symbolic spot to learn from the past and consider how to create the future.
- Address: 56 Mochihira, Ukedo, Namie Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture
- Access: 15 minutes by car or taxi from Namie Station
- Business hours: 9:30–16:30 (last admission 16:00)
- Closed: Tuesdays (closed the day after national holidays), year-end and New Year holidays (December 28–January 4) *May be temporarily closed due to weather or disasters
- Admission: General 300 yen, high school students 200 yen, elementary and junior high school students 100 yen, free for preschool children
- URL: https://namie-ukedo.com/
Explore All the Charms of Fukushima! Recommended Sightseeing Model Course
Of course, you can visit Hamadori on its own, but combining it with other popular areas of Fukushima will make your trip even more fulfilling.
Plan A:【Sea and Theme Parks】Iwaki × Hamadori 3 Days, 2 Nights
- Day 1: Take the Limited Express “Hitachi” from Tokyo to Iwaki. Learn about marine ecosystems at the Aquamarine Fukushima aquarium, then stay overnight at the resort facility Spa Resort Hawaiians, which features a large pool.
- Day 2: Head north by rental car or JR Joban Line. Learn lessons from the earthquake at the Namie Town Ukedo Elementary School Disaster Memorial, and have lunch at Kuma SUN Terrace in Okuma. Stay overnight in the Namie area.
- Day 3: Enjoy Lucky Park and local gourmet food at Roadside Station Namie, then have lunch, wine, and souvenir shopping at Tomioka Winery. Return to Tokyo on the evening limited express.
Plan B:【Food and Hot Springs】Nakadori × Hamadori 3 Days, 2 Nights
- Day 1: Take the Shinkansen to Fukushima Station. Enjoy seasonal fruit picking along the Fruit Line, where fruit orchards stretch out, and stay overnight at the historic Iizaka Onsen.
- Day 2: Drive across the Abukuma Mountains to Hamadori. Savor fresh seafood at Roadside Station Namie.
- Day 3: Experience the new town development in Tomioka and Okuma, then take the limited express on the Joban Line directly back to Tokyo.
Plan C:【Classic: History and the Future】Aizu × Hamadori 4 Days, 3 Nights
- Day 1: Take the Shinkansen and a local train or bus to Aizuwakamatsu. Experience samurai culture at Tsurugajo Castle and the samurai residences, then stay overnight at Higashiyama Onsen.
- Day 2: Stroll around the majestic Mt. Bandai and Goshikinuma Ponds. Enjoy nature at a resort in Urabandai.
- Day 3: Take the expressway (Ban-etsu Expressway) to Hamadori. Visit the frontlines of reconstruction and interact with local people.
- Day 4: Enjoy a scenic drive along the Pacific coast, have a relaxing lunch and shopping at Tomioka Winery with ocean views, then head home in the evening.
💡Travel Tips
Because the east-west travel distances are long, using the JR East Pass or renting a car is very efficient method of transportation.
Check out information on value train tickets 👉Complete Guide to Unlimited Train Tickets in Tokyo! Which Free Passes Can Be Used for 2 Days? Passes for Foreign Visitors Too
Travel Smart and Support Local Campaigns like “do! Hamadori”
Although it has ended for now, the Hamadori area held a tourism promotion campaign called “do! Hamadori.” Travelers could enjoy great perks, such as cashback rewards for cashless payments at participating stores. The campaign was held twice in 2025, so be sure to check for the latest updates on future events.
Furthermore, in spring 2026, one of Japan’s largest tourism events, the “Fukushima Destination Campaign,” is scheduled to take place. With special sightseeing trains and exclusive events, Fukushima will be at its most exciting time of the year.
Details on do! Hamadori 👉here (Japanese only)
Details on the Fukushima Destination Campaign 👉here
See the “Now” of Fukushima with Your Own Eyes
Places that once faced hardship are now among the most determined in the world to create a bright future. Delicious food, warm-hearted people, and insights you can only gain here.
For your next holiday, why not visit the “new Fukushima,” just three hours from Tokyo?
Book accommodation in Fukushima Prefecture
👉JTB
Comments