It was time for another half day of local trains from Koriyama to Utsunomiya. We took three different local trains to cover the ground. There’s always a good view out of the window and not many other passengers so you get an unobscured view.
- Total Duration: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on connection times at Shin-Shirakawa and Kuroiso.
- Cost: ¥1,980 (standard fare).
- Frequency: Trains generally run once or twice per hour. It is highly recommended to check a transit app (like Google Maps or Jorudan) beforehand to ensure smooth connections, as waiting times at transfer stations can sometimes be long.
- The Experience: This is a classic “slow travel” route. While most trains have long seats (commuter style), you can enjoy the rural scenery of Fukushima and Tochigi prefectures along the way.
Why Utsunomiya?
When planning our trip to the stunning shrines and nature of Nikko, we quickly noticed a common trend: accommodation prices there can be incredibly high. Since Nikko is such a popular destination, finding a budget-friendly place to stay is often a challenge.
To stay true to our minimalist and budget-conscious travel style, we decided to set up our base in Utsunomiya instead.
- Better Value: Accommodation in Utsunomiya is significantly more affordable. We were able to find a comfortable hotel for a fraction of what we would have paid in the heart of Nikko.
- Perfect Transit Hub: Utsunomiya is the gateway to the Nikko Line. It’s incredibly convenient to hop on a local train and arrive at the World Heritage sites in under an hour.
- The Best of Both Worlds: Staying here allowed us to enjoy Nikko’s history during the day and Utsunomiya’s famous “Gyoza” (dumpling) culture and vibrant city life in the evening.
By choosing Utsunomiya as our “gateway,” we could enjoy everything Nikko has to offer while keeping our travel expenses lean and our logistics simple. Sometimes, the best way to see the famous sights is to stay just a short train ride away!
Traveling from Koriyama to Utsunomiya via Local Trains
To travel between these two cities without using the Shinkansen (Bullet Train), you will use the JR Tohoku Main Line. Currently, the train service is split into several segments, so you will typically need to change trains twice.
From Koriyama Station to Shin-Shirakawa Station
- Take the JR Tohoku Line bound for Shin-Shirakawa.
- Travel Time: Approx. 40 minutes.
Shin Shirakawa to Kuroiso
- Change to a train bound for Kuroiso.
- Note: The platforms for the arriving and departing trains can be different, so check the signs. This segment often uses shorter trains.
- Travel Time: Approx. 25 minutes.
Kuroiso to Utsunomiya
- Change to a train bound for Utsunomiya.
- Kuroiso is a major boundary for the power supply system of the trains, so you must always change trains here.
- Travel Time: Approx. 50 minutes.
Learn from our mistake! During our own trip, we actually got stuck at the ticket gate because we tried to use our IC cards. We had to wait in line at the manned counter to have the staff manually reset our cards and settle the fare. It’s a bit of a hassle after a long train ride, so definitely grab a paper ticket at the start to keep your journey stress-free!
Comment