Take the Tadami Line Train [Tickets, What to See & Itinerary ]

The Tadami Line is a scenic railway line that travels 135 kilometers (84 miles) from Aizuwakamatsu to Koide Station.  This train route travels from Fukushima Prefecture to Niigata Prefecture and is a popular train journey to take, just for the journey.  And, of course, the scenery that you pass.  The line was closed for 11 years, to repair damages, but re-opened in October 2022.  During the time the rail route was closed, you could take a bus, but that’s never the same!  The Tadami Line train is one for enthusiasts, Japan Rail Pass holders, and those with a sense of adventure.  We have all three, so we had to check this off our list.  Here’s our guide to taking the Tadami Line train.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Trains run on the Tadami Line in both directions and stop at all 36 stations on the line.  While there are 8 or 9 trains that run this route every day in both directions, there are only 3 roundtrips each day – as many people like to go “there and back” on the same day.  We’d based ourselves in Aizuwakamatsu, explored the city, and used the Tadami Line as part of our onward travel.  We took the trip in the third week of April when the weather was spring-like –  there was still some Cherry Blossom to be seen in Aizuwakamatsu, and also on the Tadami Line, but we also saw snow along the train line too!  The Tadami Line train is covered on the JR Pass, and we used our pass to pay for the tickets.

Top Things to See on the Tadami Line

This journey is one of the top scenic railway lines in Japan.  It runs through picturesque landscapes, over Instagram-worthy bridges, and through small villages and valleys.  The curves on this route mean that there’s a single track in places, and the journey takes about 4.5 hours to complete in one direction, although many people take the roundtrip.    The track is 3 foot 6 wide (1,067 millimeters), and is generally known as a narrow gauge track.  Here are the main things to see on the Tadami Line train, note that to visit many of the places, you’ll need to get off the train and walk to them, and therefore catch a later train for your onward journey.

Aizu Wakamatsu Castle

At the start (or the end depending on your route), Aizu is a great place to spend a few days.  You’ll see few Western tourists here, although its samurai past is very popular with domestic tourists.  The highlight of Aizu is the Castle. It’s a reconstruction, first built in 1593 and you can easily spend several hours here exploring the castle, also known as Tsuraga Castle, and the grounds. You can buy your admission tickets to Tsuraga Castle here and skip the entrance line.

There’s more on what to see and do in the samurai city of Aizuwakamatsu in our guide here.

The Oyakuen Garden, Aizu Wakamatsu

This traditional Japanese landscape garden is just glorious, and all the more so because we had it to ourselves. The name Oyakuen translates to “Medicinal Herb Garden” and there is still an area where they’re grown, close to a delightful pond.

The Enzoji Temple at Yanaizu

This Buddhist temple was built on a cliff more than 1,300 years ago and is the birthplace of Akabeko, a legend, and the source of “red cow” motifs you’ll see around Aizu.   When the temple was being built, there were difficulties in getting the materials to the temple site, but then a red cow appeared and help was provided. 

Akabeko is a symbol now of good luck, protection, and warding off evil.  It’s a 10 minute walk from Aizu-Yanaizu station to the Enzoji Temple.   Another legend of the temple tells of how a Japanese monk, Saeki no Mao, known as Kobo Daishi after his death threw wood shavings from the statue of Buddha of Wisdom into the Tadami River.  The shavings turned immediately into Japanese dace fish. (a type of redfin fish).

Mishima Viewpoint – the Daiichi Tadami River Bridge on the Tadami Line

When you search for photos of the Tadami Line, this bridge is the photo that you’re likely to see.  And this is the most popular stop on the Tadami Line. However, you don’t see this particular viewpoint (see photo below) from the train.   You’ll need to get off the train at Aizu-Miyashita Station, its about 80 minutes from Aizu Wakamatsu station by train.   A bus leaves the station at 08:10 every day apart from Sundays and takes just 5 minutes to get to the viewpoint, Mishima-juku.  Fares for 500 JPY per person. If you aren’t taking the train to get there for that time, then it’s a 40-minute uphill walk along the side of the roadway.

If you decide not to get off the train (we didn’t) you will see stunning views of the Tadami River as you cross the steel bridges over it.  It really is lovely.

If you plan to rejoin the train, then you’ll either need to walk back down to the station or take the bus from Mishima-juku.  There are two buses a day (but not on Sundays or Japanese National Holidays).  Seats on this bus MUST be reserved.  If you want to take the 10:20 bus you must reserve your place by 09:00.  Equally if you want to take the 13:20 bus, then reserve your place by noon.  You reserve your place by going inside the Mishima-juku (the roadside station and tourist resting spot).   They’ll give you a form and you’ll need to complete it.  You’ll also need to be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is due to depart and hand in the completed form when you board the bus.  The fare is 500 JPY and it will take 5-10 minutes to return you to Aizu-Miyashita Station.

The Oshi Village Lookout aka the Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba Viewpoint

Kaneyama is known as one of the few places in Japan where you can find naturally occurring carbonated water.   You can stop off here and head to the well and fill your water bottle, or simply stay on the train and check out the viewpoint over towards Oshi Village.

Culinary Specialities on the Tadami Line Train

This area of Japan is famous for some specific foods – you’ll want to try raw horse meat (basashi), in this part of Japan, so far from the coast, horse sashimi is known as a substitute for fish sashimi.  You can buy basashi at butchers in Aizuwakamatsu and you should eat it by dipping it in soy sauce and mustard miso.  It tends to be eaten in the home, not in restaurants.  However, August 29^th is “Horse Meat Day” and restaurants are encouraged by the “Aizu Brand Horse Meat” Sakura Association to provide menus including it on this day.

Try also Yanaizu sauce katsu don.  Here a deep fried pork cutlet is served in a bowl of rice along with cabbage and fried egg with a special sauce.  The most famous place to try this is the Tsukimigaoka Chomin Center a 20-minute walk from Aizu Yanaizu Station.

How to Get to the Tadami Line

The Tadami Line runs from Aizuwakamatsu to Koide, a distance of 135 kilometers (84 miles), but this is a curvy, scenic trip and the trains take more than four hours to run the route.  You’ll need to get to either Aizu or Koide to start the trip.

The whole trip is covered on the JR Pass.

To get to Aizuwakamatsu from Tokyo is easy.  Take a JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station (about one hour and 20 minutes) and then transfer to the JR Banetsu West line (about 80 minutes).

To get to Koide from Tokyo you should take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Urasa Station (it takes about one hour and 40 minutes).  From Urasa Station take the Joetsu Line to Koide Station, this journey takes about 10 minutes.

We made our start on the Tadami Line from Aizuwakamatsu, having traveled to Aizuwakamatsu from Hakodate (that was quite a convoluted trip, but we’d arrived in Hakodate after taking the fabulous Resort Shirakami Train between Akita and Aomori and exploring Hokkaido)

How to Ride the Tadami Line Train

There are no reserved seats on this train, it’s first come first served.  So for whichever timetabled train you wish to take, it’s best to get there at least 30 minutes before the train departure time and get yourself into the line.

The great thing about this is that lines work in Japan.  If you’re first in the line no one is going to come and barge past you to get in front of you. 

So you’ll need a ticket or a JR Pass.  You can buy tickets from the train station, or online with JR East.

You can move around the train easily, although most people will stay in the same seat for the journey, leaving bags or coats on the seat when they hop off for a quick photo stop or head to the front or rear of the train to take a photo out of the back or front windows.

As the line is single track a lot of the way you’ll have some stops at stations, where you’re waiting for the train to come up the track before your train can progress.

How long does the Tadami Line Train Take?

The Tadami Line trains take about 4 hours and 30 minutes to go from Aizu Wakamatsu to Koide.

How many stations are on the Tadami Line?

There are 36 stations on the Tadami Line and trains that run this route stop at all of them.

Buying Tickets for the Tadami Line Train

Buying tickets is simple.  You can buy tickets at the Aizuwakamatsu train station, or use your JR Pass like we did.  Our journey started at 13:05 at Aizuwakamatsu took in the whole Tadami Line and then we took the train from Koide to Urasa, then from Urasa to Tokyo. 

A one-way ticket from Aizuwakamatsu to Koide on the Tadami Line train costs 860 JPY.  However, if you have a JR Pass this route is covered on the JR Pass.

From Koide to Urasa tickets cost 200 JPY

From Urasa to Tokyo tickets cost from 5,500 JPY to 8,500 JPY, but are also covered on the JR Pass.

Tadami Line Timetable

The first train from Aizuwakamatsu Station is at 06:00 and the last train at 21:42.  Even if you’re doing a round trip journey you’ll want to try and see both directions in daylight as the views are fabulous in both directions. 

You can check the Tadami Line train timetable here.

We took the 13:05 train from Aizuwakamatsu and from the end of the line took trains to Tokyo, where we were eating sushi by 21:00.

The Best Season of the Year to Ride the Tadami Line Train

The Tadami Line train can be ridden at any time of the year, in any season.  The scenery is spectacular and you’ll see something different each time you ride this train.  Here’s what you can expect throughout the seasons of the year in Tadami country.

Spring on the Tadami Line Train

We rode the Tadami Line in late spring and it was glorious.  There were hints of cherry blossom still around, but also still snow on the ground in some places.  It was chilly in places, so layering clothes was a good idea, as well as a fleece for when I got cold.

Summer on the Tadami Line Train

It’s cooler up here in the higher elevations of the Tadami Line train, and so this cooler climate makes summer trips enjoyable.  You also, if you travel during June or August, may be able to catch the mist lying on the river Tadami in the early morning.  It will often be chilly in the early morning, warming with the sun as the day goes on.

Fall on the Tadami Line Train

Japan isn’t just famous for its cherry blossom, the fall colors are tracked as well and the great mix of trees makes for amazing colors in autumn in Aizu.   This is when the Tadami River Bridge viewpoint is at its most popular.  Temperatures drop off quite quickly up here in fall, so bring layers (and waterproofs!)

Winter on the Tadami Line Train

The area in which the Tadami Line Train runs – Oku Aizu – gets some of Japan’s heaviest snowfall, you can expect up to a meter (3.2 feet) of snow in a single day.  If you’re traveling on the Tadami Line during winter, then you should check weather forecasts, be prepared for weather-related cancellations, and dress appropriately.  Wear winter coats, bring hats, and gloves, and wear boots on your feet.   You can check for cancellations because of the weather here.

The snow-covered landscapes are glorious in winter.  Even in the third week of April, there was still snow on the ground on our trip.

Travel Tips for Exploring Japan

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM for Japan
• Take the right POWER ADAPTER to Japan
• Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Japan > discount coupon here
• Read our guide to the Japan Rail Pass here
• Buy your Japan Rail Pass before you arrive in Japan
  • You can buy JR Passes from Klook > check details here
  • Or buy JR Passes from JRailPass here with delivery in 24-48 hours (including to your hotel in Japan)
• Book the best tours and guides in Japan on, GetYourGuideand Klook
  • Want to know what its like at a Maid Cafe?
  • Read about experiencing Sumo Practice in Japan
  • Read about staying in a Ryokan town in Japan
• Learn to cook Japanese food in Chef’s kitchens in Japan
• Read about ATM fees in Japan here.
• Save money in Japan with a Wise debit card
• Find the right accommodation for you via Booking.com
• Book an incredible ryokan experience in Japan

Final Words on Riding the Tadami Line Train

We were both determined to make the most of our JR Pass, but also to see some of Japan’s unique routes.  We’d loved our ride on the Resort Shirakami Joyful Train, and so this narrow gauge track up in Oku Aizu country was definitely on the cards.  This is a glorious day out, the scenery is wonderful and it’s a delight to see other people simply out for the train ride too.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

ASocialNomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, and amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.