The three areas you should remember when visiting Fukushima are Hamadori, Nakadori, and Aizu. Fukushima is now the third largest prefecture in Japan, but in the past it was separated into these three areas, with their own very different climates and cultures. Hamadori, for example, faces the Pacific Ocean, and is a warm area. It has a bright and cheerful atmosphere with its minimal snowfall. Nakadori is an area rich in nature, sandwiched between the Abukuma highlands and the Ou mountain range. Aizu has prospered from olden times as a castle town with heavy snowfall. Even when Hamadori is sunny, it can be snowing in Aizu. Such contrast is possible in Fukushima.

As a northeast prefecture that is closest to Edo, Fukushima is sometimes found in the history books. Among this, many battles were fought in Aizu, and the Aizu feudal domain brought forth a high level of culture.

Each area has its own unique personality, and learning about the history of each place as you travel will surely give you the full flavor of Fukushima’s charm.