Hi, I’m Phan The Anh, a Vietnamese travel blogger, and today I want to take you with me on a journey to one of Japan’s most surprisingly wonderful destinations: Fukushima Prefecture in autumn 2026.
When friends heard I was going to Fukushima, many raised eyebrows. But let me tell you — this region completely won me over. The combination of autumn leaf hunting, Fuji apple picking at family orchards, and the atmospheric old village of Ouchijuku made for a trip I’d happily repeat every year.
Chasing Autumn Leaves in Fukushima
Fukushima’s autumn foliage season runs from late October through November, and it’s genuinely spectacular. The volcanic mountains of Bandai-Asahi National Park and the beech forests of the Aizu highlands transform into blazing tapestries of red, orange, and gold that rival anywhere in Japan.
My favorite spot was the Goshikinuma Ponds — five volcanic crater lakes in the Bandai highlands, each a different, otherworldly color. Standing at the edge of the emerald-blue main pond surrounded by trees in peak autumn color was genuinely one of the most beautiful things I’ve witnessed in Japan.
The drive along Route 459 through the Bandai Kogen plateau in late October is one of those drives that makes you pull over every few minutes just to stare at the mountains.
Picking Fuji Apples at Local Orchards
Fukushima is famous throughout Japan as “the fruit kingdom,” and apple picking season runs October through November. I visited a family-run orchard near Fukushima City where rows of apple trees bowed under the weight of perfectly ripe, impossibly red Fuji apples.
The experience: pay an entrance fee (typically around 1,500–2,000 yen per person), receive a bag, and eat as many apples as you can manage while wandering the orchard. The freshly picked apples are incomparably crisper, juicier, and more fragrant than anything you’ll find in a supermarket.
Many orchards also sell their harvest at farm stalls — look for gift sets of premium apples to take home or send as presents. Fukushima apples make extraordinary omiyage (Japanese travel gifts).
Ouchijuku – Japan’s Most Atmospheric Post Town
Of all the places I visited in Fukushima, Ouchijuku left the deepest impression. This mountain post town (a historic resting place on the Edo-period Aizu-Nishi Kaido road) has been magnificently preserved: a single lane of thatched-roof buildings — restaurants, souvenir shops, and minshuku (small guesthouses) — faces a stream on both sides, creating a scene that feels like stepping back three centuries.
Must-try at Ouchijuku: negi soba — a buckwheat noodle dish served with a whole green onion stalk as chopstick substitute. It’s a local tradition and genuinely delicious, served ice cold in summer or hot in autumn and winter.
Visit on a weekday morning to have the village almost to yourself — the mist rising from the thatched roofs in the cool autumn air is an unforgettable atmosphere.
Higashiyama Onsen – The Perfect Autumn Wind-Down
After days of hiking and leaf peeping, there’s nothing better than soaking in a traditional Japanese hot spring. Higashiyama Onsen near Aizuwakamatsu is one of Tohoku’s most atmospheric hot spring resorts — traditional ryokan line a narrow river gorge, with outdoor hot spring baths overlooking rushing water and autumn foliage.
I stayed at a mid-range ryokan for one night: kaiseki dinner (multi-course traditional Japanese meal), yukata (light cotton robe) to wear around the inn, multiple indoor and outdoor baths — an experience that resets the mind and body completely.
Why Fukushima Should Be on Your Japan Itinerary
Fukushima offers something increasingly rare in Japanese tourism: authentic experiences without overwhelming crowds. While Kyoto and Tokyo attract millions, Fukushima’s natural wonders and historical villages remain relatively uncrowded — yet just as beautiful.
Practical info:
- Access: Fukushima City is 1.5 hours from Tokyo by Tohoku Shinkansen
- Best time: October–November for autumn foliage and apple picking; Spring for cherry blossoms
- Base: Fukushima City (city comforts + fruit orchards) or Aizuwakamatsu (historical atmosphere + onsen)
- Getting around: Rental car strongly recommended for Bandai highlands and Ouchijuku
Fukushima pleasantly surprised me in every way. Come with an open mind and you’ll find a Japan that few foreign travelers discover — warm, genuine, and extraordinarily beautiful.
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