Blessed with lush nature and the pure meltwater of Mount Adatara, Nihonmatsu in Fukushima Prefecture is a historic castle town and a renowned haven for sake lovers.
In this article, we outline our travel plan for a fulfilling day trip: setting off from Koriyama Station in the morning, making a stopover in Nihonmatsu to explore the area on foot and by public transport, and continuing our journey onwards.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: 福島・二本松の酒蔵巡り＆徒歩観光モデルコース！郡山から福島への途中下車日帰りプラン
This article is currently published as a preliminary travel plan before our actual visit. Once we head out and experience it firsthand, we will update the post with our own photos and detailed personal accounts.
What is Nihonmatsu Like? A Charming Historic Castle Town
Located right in the middle of Fukushima Prefecture, Nihonmatsu once flourished as a castle town under the Niwa clan of the Nihonmatsu Domain. It still retains evocative remnants of its history, most notably Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumigajo Park)—one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles—alongside long-standing sake breweries that have preserved traditions dating back to the Edo period.
Fostered by pristine water and quality rice, the area is an absolute must-visit for sake enthusiasts. Even without a car, combining walking routes with local buses makes it easy to thoroughly enjoy deep-dive town exploration.
Recommended Walking Spots & Sake Breweries in Nihonmatsu
Nihonmatsu features a collection of historical sites and distinctive sake breweries all within walking distance from the station. Here are the spots we have lined up to explore while soaking in the local atmosphere on foot:
1. Kimuraya Shuzoten (Senkonari) 檜物屋酒造店
Located in the urban area just a short 5-minute walk from JR Nihonmatsu Station, this historic sake brewery was established in the 7th year of the Meiji era (1874). They carefully craft their signature label, “Senkonari”—named after Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s famous gourd banner—and are deeply cherished by the local community. Because of its compact and accessible distance, we have included it as the starting point for our walking journey.
- Access: Approx. 5 minutes on foot from JR Nihonmatsu Station
- Features: Meiji-era ambiance and heartwarming stories of community-rooted brewing
- Admission: Tour 300 yen, Tasting 500 yen (tax included)
2. Kasumigajo Park (Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins)
Once the residence of the Niwa clan lords, this historic park is recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles. Visitors are welcomed by beautiful stone walls and the restored, majestic Minowamon Gate. The grounds are filled with lush greenery, and walking along the well-maintained trails all the way up to the main keep ruins offers sweeping panoramic views over the Nihonmatsu cityscape. We plan to stop by here to soak up some history during our stroll.
- Access: Approx. 20–25 minutes on foot from Nihonmatsu Station
- Features: A classic strolling spot blending rich nature with historical ruins
- Admission: Free to wander around (note: special exhibitions or seasonal events may involve separate fees)
3. Nihonmatsu Shrine
Located just a 5-minute walk from JR Nihonmatsu Station, this historic shrine has long served as the guardian deity for both the feudal lords of the Niwa clan and the local townspeople. Featuring deep ties to the history of the castle town, the shrine grounds showcase traditional architecture and touches of local heritage. It is also famous as the focal point of the renowned Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival held every October.
- Access: Approx. 5 minutes on foot from JR Nihonmatsu Station
- Features: A historic local shrine deeply rooted in castle town heritage, located right near the station
- Admission: Free to wander around the grounds
4. Daishichi Sake Brewery
Established in 1752, this is a prestigious brewery renowned for strictly upholding traditional kimoto brewing methods. The striking black-boarded fences lining the property evoke a classic castle town charm simply by walking past. We intend to take our time learning about their traditional techniques and unique flat-rice milling methods while thoroughly enjoying a sophisticated sake tasting session.
- Access: Approx. 15–20 minutes on foot from the town center
- Features: A master of kimoto brewing with atmospheric brewery walls and an authentic tasting experience
- Admission: Paid tour options available by advance reservation (e.g., General Tour course starting from 2,000 yen including tastings; please check their official website for details)
5. Adatagahara Furusato Village
Situated a bit further out from the town centre, this is a sprawling park built around the setting of the infamous local folklore known as the Kurozuka (Demon Hag) Legend—a terrifying tale of a hag who disguised herself as a traveler. Thatched-roof traditional farmhouses have been relocated to the grounds, and we are planning to make this the destination for a pleasant walk through a nostalgic Japanese rural landscape.
- Access: Approx. 30–40 minutes further on foot from the town center (or by taxi)
- Features: A spacious park dotted with historic farmhouses, perfect as a walking destination immersed in history and nature
- Admission: Free park admission (facility usage fees may vary depending on circumstances)
6. Day-Trip Bathing at Dake Hot Springs (If Time Permits)
If we have time to spare, we are hoping to stretch our legs and catch a local bus from Nihonmatsu Station to Dake Onsen, which is about a 25-minute ride away. It is a hot spring town known for its uniquely acidic waters, featuring several inns and public bathhouses that welcome day-trip visitors. Since I experienced our very first Japanese hot spring last year in Izu Nagaoka with a private bath, I have grown fonder of the concept, and we are both eager to try it again and looking forward to potentially stopping by.
- Access: Approx. 25 minutes by local bus from Nihonmatsu Station
- Features: Exceptionally rare acidic hot spring waters, offering supreme relaxation for tired legs after a long walk
- Admission: Day-trip bathing fees at public baths or inns (typically around several hundred to 1,500 yen, depending on the facility)
➡ First Time Onsen Experience in Japan: A Beginner’s Guide and Izu-Nagaoka Ryokan Review
Access to Nihonmatsu from Tokyo (Trains & Highway Buses)
When heading to Nihonmatsu from Tokyo, our main transport options are speed-oriented trains or comfortable, direct highway buses.
1. By Train (Tohoku Shinkansen + Local Line)
You can take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station in about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1.5 hours. From Koriyama Station, you will transfer to the JR Tohoku Main Line local train (bound for Fukushima), and arrive at Nihonmatsu Station in roughly 25 minutes. With frequent departures, this option could fits neatly into your travel schedule if precise timing is preferred.
2. By Highway Bus (e.g., Abukuma Highway Bus)
Highway buses (both daytime and overnight services) connect Shinjuku or Tokyo Station with the Fukushima and Koriyama areas. A major perk is the ability to travel comfortably without any transfers. Routes are also available that arrive at bus stops near the Nihonmatsu Interchange, from which we can smoothly access the town center via local buses or taxis.
Overview of Our Trip: Departing Koriyama, Stopping in Nihonmatsu, and Staying in Fukushima
This itinerary is planned as part of a journey where “we depart Koriyama Station in the morning, make a stopover in Nihonmatsu to enjoy brewery hopping and town walking, and head over to Fukushima Station by JR on the same day to stay overnight.”
- Morning: We depart Koriyama Station and take the JR Tohoku Main Line to Nihonmatsu Station
- Daytime: We will indulge in some sake brewery hopping and walking sightseeing around Nihonmatsu (the main focus of this article)
- Evening/Night: We board the JR Tohoku Main Line again to travel to Fukushima Station, check into a nearby business hotel, and spend a relaxing evening in Fukushima city
We chose this route because stopping over in Nihonmatsu allows us to experience both a historic castle town stroll and authentic sake brewery visits entirely on foot or by bus without needing a car. We may drop off our small backpacks in a coin locker at Nihonmatsu Station, we can enjoy a light and unburdened walk, and then move on to our next accommodation in Fukushima by evening. Ultimately, we plan to unwind and relax at a business hotel near Fukushima Station.
➡ 2-Week Tohoku Itinerary in September: A Slow-Paced Backpacking Guide
➡ Koriyama Travel Guide (No Car Required): Walking Spots, Food & Itinerary from Tokyo
Summary
In this article, we introduced our day-trip plan for sake brewery hopping and sightseeing in Nihonmatsu on our way from Koriyama to Fukushima. It is shaping up to be a fulfilling day of tasting delicious local sake and soaking in history while feeling the town’s atmosphere firsthand.
This article is currently published as a preliminary travel plan before our actual visit. Once we head out and experience it firsthand, we will update the post with our own photos and detailed personal accounts. We hope this serves as a helpful reference for your own travel planning!
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