A bucket list item that every globetrotter should aim to check off this year is a scenic train journey through Japan's pristine nature. There’s a host of attractive sightseeing options to choose from, including novelty engines and luxury locomotives, but few trains can compete with the scenery that JR East’s Tadami line offers in autumn.
Opened in 1928, this magnificent railway spans a total of 135 kilometres from Niigata’s Koide Station to Fukushima’s Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. Last October, the train line made headlines after sections damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and torrential rains were restored and reopened after being out of service since 2011.
The full re-opening marked the first time in over a decade that nature lovers and train enthusiasts could experience what is often referred to as one of Japan’s most beautiful rural railways in its entirety. Though the picturesque landscapes of the journey are reason enough to make the pilgrimage from Niigata to Fukushima, the abundance of ski resorts and natural hot springs dotted along the route also make for a great winter getaway.
Start in Fukushima's city of Aizu-Wakamatsu, where you can visit sites like the reconstructed fortress of Tsuruga Castle before soaking in the natural springs of Higashiyama Onsen – a small but gorgeous hot spring village with a history of 1,300 years.
Travel about two hours west of Aizu-Wakamatsu and you’ll pass the famous Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, which is favoured by photographers for its highly reflective waters and peaceful mountainscapes that transform with the changing seasons.
On the last leg of the journey, the train will cross into Niigata, which is renowned for its ski resorts. If you’re feeling sporty, you might consider getting off at Echigo-Suhara Station and heading to the Suhara ski area to hit the slopes during the snowy winter. Not a ski or snowboard enthusiast? As an added bonus, the same station is also in close proximity to the Tamagawa Sake Brewery, where nihonshu lovers can get a taste of the local sake.
Check out more scenic destinations to explore year-round on the Tadami Line website.
This article was published on October 31 2022 and updated on September 12 2023.
More from Time Out Tokyo
Here’s the official 2023 forecast for autumn leaves in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s latest film 'The Boy and the Heron' finally gets a trailer
You can buy Ghibli Park tickets overseas via an official English website
4 new Japanese shows and films to watch on Netflix in September 2023
Tokyo Biennale 2023 is opening in September – here are the highlights
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan