Inawashiro

Inawashiro (猪苗代町) is a town in Fukushima, Japan. It lies by the namesake lake, Japan's fourth largest, with beach resorts, swimming, camping and boating.

The JR Banetsu Line runs through Inawashiro with 6 stations within the town: Joko, Inawashiro-kohan, Sekito, Kawageta, Inawashiro, and Okinashima. The ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu by JR East takes an hour.

None of Inawashiro's main sites are close enough to the station to walk, so if you are arriving by train, taking a taxi or bus is the best option. From Inawashiro Station, Aizu Bushas 3 buses per day to the Noguchi Museum, 6-8 buses per day to Goshikinuma, and 4-6 buses per day to Nakanosawa Onsen. If you're staying at one of the ryokan or hotels, check to see if they offer shuttle service for guests.

• 🌍 Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum (野口英世記念館). A bacteriologist who is credited with discovering the agent that causes syphillis and doing research that led to the creation of a yellow fever vaccine. His childhood home, where he suffered burns that led him to pursue a medical career, is located on-site. Along with learning about Noguchi, the museum also features exhibits to educate people about bacteriology. ¥1200. (updated Jan 2025)

Inawashiro is a popular ski resort town in the winter.

It also has beach resorts around the lake, swimming, camping and boating.

Nakanosawa Kokeshi are the most popular souvenir found in the Nakanosawa Onsen area.

• 🌍 Kokeshi Vending Machine, In front of Konishi Shokudo Restaurant. Known as the "world's only kokeshi vending machine", you can buy Nakanosawa Kokeshi from 2 local artisans at any time of day. (updated Mar 2025)

• 🌍 89 Diner. Weekdays from 11:00, Weekends from 09:00 - Closing time is when they sell out. Closed We-Th. A traincar that has been converted into a restaurant. They have steak, sandwiches, and pasta as main dishes. Their crepes are also popular. (updated Jun 2025)
• 🌍 Sato (お食事処郷). Serves ramen, sauce katsudon, and other hearty dishes. (updated Jun 2025)

• 🌍 Hotel Listel Inawashiro (ホテルリステル猪苗代). A resort hotel with an onsen, pool, herb garden, tennis court, mini golf, and more. Skiing available in winter. Rooms are spacious and comfortable. (updated Jun 2025)
• 🌍 Hirasawa Ryokan (平澤屋旅館). Part of Nakanosawa Onsen, it's a traditional Japanese-style inn with its own outdoor onsen (rotemburo). Food features local mountain vegetables along with prefectural specialties from other parts of Fukushima.The souvenir area at the entrance sells Nakanosawa Kokeshi. (updated Jun 2025)

• Mount Bandai — a volcanic peak overlooking the town, part of Bandai-Asahi National Park.