Oku-Aizu Mishima Town Thatched Houses: Villages Frozen in Time Along the Tadami River

Oku-Aizu, Mishima Town

Mishima in Onuma District, Fukushima, is a small mountain town of about 1,500 people in the Oku-Aizu region. A heavy snowfall area buried under 3–4m of snow in winter, it is known as a "Japan original landscape" where thatched farmhouses remain.

Highlights

- Thatched Farmhouses: Thatched-roof farmhouses scattered throughout Mishima Town - Tadami River Hidden Landscape: Spectacular scenery of giant rocks, cliffs, and the clear Tadami River - JR Tadami Line: Called "the most beautiful railway line chosen by train enthusiasts nationwide" — a scenic local line - Miyashita Onsen: Mishima's hot spring

Tadami Line Scenery

- First Tadami River Bridge: The railroad bridge in river mist during foliage, snow, and fresh green seasons is magical - Echigo-Kawaguchi to Tadami to Aizuwakamatsu: A full local train journey throughout

Getting There

- Alight at JR Tadami Line Mishima Station (about 2 hours from Aizuwakamatsu) - From Banetsu Expressway Nishi-Aizu IC via National Route 252 by car: about 40 minutes

Tips

The Tadami Line runs very infrequently (a few trains per day) — check the timetable in advance. The river mist seasons of autumn (October–November) and winter (January–February) are especially magical.