If you are a rail fan and are looking for a hidden gem for photos of trains with breathtaking scenery in the background, the best train line in Japan is the Tadami Line (只見線) that spans through Fukushima and Niigata Prefectures. It was chosen as Japan’s most scenic local train line and has been gaining popularity among international tourists since it was fully restored in October 2022, after most bridges along the line were significantly damaged by heavy rain in 2011.
Table of Contents
- About Tadami Line
- First Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第一只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
- Second Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第二只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
- Third Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第三只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
- Forth Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第四只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
- Sixth Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第六只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
- Seventh Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第七只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
- Eighth Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第八只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
- How to Get to Tadami Line
- Things to Note About Taking the Tadami Line
- Tadami Line’s Four Seasons
About Tadami Line
Tadami Line is the 135.2km JR local train line that runs between Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (会津若松駅) in Fukushima Prefecture‘s Aizuwakamatsu City (会津若松市) and Koide Station (小出駅) in Niigata Prefecture‘s Uonuma City (魚沼市). No matter when you visit the Tadami Line, you will be amazed by the natural scenery of Oku-Aizu (奥会津), where the Tadami River (只見川) flows. Along the Tadami Line are the Japanese countryside landscapes that haven’t changed much since a few centuries ago.
Although the trains running on the Tadami Line aren’t sightseeing trains, announcements (in Japanese only) introduce the scenery along the train line to the passengers. The speed is also reduced when the train passes scenic spots, allowing passengers to take photos.
In addition to the scenery, the local food along the train line is another reason why tourists visit this part of the Fukushima Prefecture.
The Bridges That the Tadami Line Cross
Trains on the Tadami Line cross eight bridges. Seven of these bridges connect the train from one side of the riverbank to the other. The last bridge lets the train bypass a 100-meter-tall cliff.
Note that the viewpoints for the Fifth Tadami River Bridge are currently on private properties. Thus, we won’t include them in this article.
First Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第一只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
The most popular spot to see the Tadami Line is the First Tadami River Bridge, located between Aizu-Hinohara Station (会津桧原駅) and Aizu-Nishikata Station (会津西方駅). Most of Tadami Line’s promotional materials were taken here.
The photography spot is on the ridge, a 3-minute walk from Ozekaido Mishima Juku Roadside Station (道の駅 尾瀬街道みしま宿). The promenade stretches from the road station’s car park. The view from the viewpoint consists of the arch-shaped First Tadami River Bridge, the nature of Oku-Aizu, and, if you time your visit, the slow-moving train!
At the First Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint, there are three spots from which you can see the First Tadami River Bridge. Viewpoint B is near the first set of staircases on the promenade. It is the easiest spot to get to. While the view from Viewpoint B is magnificent already, we recommend climbing up to Viewpoints C and D. You will get a wider view up there.
Seeing Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint from a Different Angle
You can also view the First Tadami River Bridge from the opposite direction from the north riverbank. Your photo would be taken from an angle looking up the bridge with the Tadami River in front of it.
Getting to this spot is tricky, however. From Aizu-Hinohara Station (会津桧原駅), you would drive towards the village center. When you encounter an intersection, turn right and follow the road. The spot is located along the river after going down the mountain road.
HERE is the link to the location on Google Maps.
Tips:
☛ In summer, the early afternoon is the best time for photos taken from this direction with the front lighting. But if you want to see the river fog, try your luck before 8 am.
☛ In autumn and winter, you will get more lighting after 9 am.
How to Get to the First Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint by Public Transport
Aizu-Miyashita Station (会津宮下駅) is the closest train station to the First Tadami River Bridge. It is about 40 minutes away on foot.
Instead of walking, you can rent a bicycle from Mishima Town Tourism Association (観光交流館からんころん). It is just a 2-minute walk to get there. Then, it will take you around 15 minutes to get to Ozekaido Mishima Juku Roadside Station, where you can park your bicycle.
Second Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第二只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
While not so famous, there is a spot where you can see the Second Tadami River Bridge near JR Aizu-Nishikata Station (会津西方駅). The spot is just a 10 to 15-minute walk from the train station. Because it is the closest to the rail track among all the viewpoints of the Tadami Line, it is the most popular spot among rail buffs.
In early summer, fog might cover the Tadami River underneath the Second Tadami River Bridge!
From Aizu-Nishikata Station, follow the National Route 400 to the Tadami River.
Third Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第三只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
The Third Tadami River Bridge is between Aizu-Miyashita Station (会津宮下駅) and Hayato Station (早戸駅). The best spot to see the bridge is inside the snowshed (高清水スノーシェッド) on National Route 252. As the traffic on National Route 252 is usually heavy and the parking space inside the snowshed is extremely limited, it is the hardest viewing spot to get to.
That said, your effort will pay off. You can look down the Third Tadami River Bridge and the meandering Tadami River from a diagonal angle.
You can also get a photo of the Third Tadami River Bridge from the opposite direction if you drive.
Instead of following National Route 252, take the Prefectural Road 237 to get to the border of Mishima Town (三島町) and Kaneyama Town (金山町). You can get a photo of the bridge from its side here.
Forth Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第四只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
The Forth Tadami River Bridge is clearly seen from Mizunuma Bridge (水沼橋). The Truss bridge, which is an 8-minute walk from Aizu-Mizunuma Station (会津水沼駅), is directly opposite it.
However, the train would be partially blocked by the bridge’s structure. If you want a clear photo of the train and the bridge, you must trek further to the foot of the Forth Tadami River Bridge.
You can also see the Forth Tadami River Bridge shortly after coming out of the snowshed.
Sixth Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第六只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
Shortly after the train leaves Honna Station (本名駅), the train will pass through the Sixth Tadami River Bridge. The Honna Dam (本名ダム) will be on the train’s right, so be ready to snap a photo!
If you want a photo of the Sixth Tadami River Bridge, walk to the spot shown on Google Maps. It also takes a 5-minute walk.
Seventh Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第七只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
There are two photography spots for the Seventh Tadami River Bridge. Standing at the first one, you can get a clear view of the train’s front and the bridge. The other one is from the Shikisai Bridge (四季彩橋).
Tip: If you want a photo of the train and the bridge taken from the front, it is best to wait for the one that drives toward Aizu-Kawaguchi Station.
Eighth Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint (第八只見川橋梁ビューポイント)
The Eight Tadami River Bridge, between Aizu-Shiozawa Station (会津塩沢駅) and Aizu-Gamo Station (会津蒲生駅), is another spectacular bridge along the Tadami Line. The steel bridge, built against the river’s edge, enables the train to reach the other side of the approximately 100-meter cliff.
If you want a photo of the Eight Tadami River Bridge and the train, you can head to the bridge across the river, as shown on Google Maps. But please be aware that the road is very narrow. Be extremely careful.
How to Get to Tadami Line
There are three ways to reach the two starting points of the Tadami Line: train, car, and airplane.
Getting to the Tadami Line by Train
To get to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, take the Tōhoku Shinkansen to Kōriyama Station (郡山駅). Then, change for the JR Ban-Etsusai Line (磐越西線) to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, which will take around an hour.
Tip: Refer to our article on The Best Seats on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hokkaidō for more information about the Tōhoku Shinkansen.
To get to Koide Station, take Jōetsu Shinkansen (上越新幹線) to Urasa Station (浦佐駅). Then, change to the JR Jōetsu Line (上越線) for Koide Station, which will take about 10 minutes.
You can also change trains for Koide Station at Echigo Yuzawa Station (越後湯沢駅) or Nagaoka Station (長岡駅). The difference is the amount of time spent on the Jōetsu Line, which is 40 minutes and 35 minutes, respectively.
Getting to the Tadami Line by Airplane
If you plan to travel to the starting points of the Tadami Line from cities far away from Fukushima Prefecture, taking an airplane may be a faster option. You can land at Fukushima Airport (福島空港) or Niigata Airport (新潟空港).
Landing at Fukushima Airport, you can take the buses running between Kōriyama Fukushima Airport. These buses are operated by Fukushima Kōtsū (福島交通). Then, change for the JR Ban-Etsusai Line (磐越西線) to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.
Please note that the number of bus services is limited.
- Here is the bus timetable for the services running between Kōriyama Fukushima Airport.
- You can also use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
Landing at Niigata Airport, you can either take the airport limousine bus or Niigata Kōtsū’s bus services to Niiata Station. Then, change for the JR Jōetsu Line (上越線) for Koide Station.
HERE is more information about Niigata Kōtsū’s bus services to Niigata Station.
Things to Note About Taking the Tadami Line
- As Tadami Line is JR’s local line in rural areas, the number of services is limited. Please check the timetable in advance and plan your trip.
- The Japan Transit Planner app has a timetable function in its free version.
- It takes more than 4 hours to ride the entire Tadami Line.
- There are only three services that run between Aizu-Kawaguchi Station (会津川口駅) and Tadami Station (只見駅) in each direction each day. What does this mean? This means that only three services run through the entire Tadami Line in each direction daily.
Tip: It is recommended to spend a night around Koide Station, Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, or Aizu-Kawaguchi Station for a slower paced visit. There are plenty of accommodation options close to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station that you can choose from.
Special Seasonal Services Running on the Tadami Line
Depending on the season, there might be special services running on the Tadami Line in addition to the normal ones (such as Kazekko Tadamisen Mankitsu-gō (風っこ只見線満喫号) and Tadamisen mankitsu-gō (只見線満喫号)). These services will stop at the closest stations to the train line’s main tourist attractions.
However, please be aware that the special services operate mainly on weekends and public holidays only. Moreover, tickets may need to be reserved.
Tadami Line’s Four Seasons
- The cherry blossom seasons for the spots along the Tadami Line is usually between early to mid-April. Some spots to visit includes the following.
- Enzōji Temple (満虚空藏菩薩圓藏寺) and along the Tadami River in the area.
- Miyashita Dam (宮下ダム)
- The fall foliage season along the Tadami Line is from mid-October to mid-November.
- It is Tadami Line’s busiest season. Arrive early at the station for a seat on the train.
Important: Heavy snowfall may cause train cancellations or delays in winter. Be sure to check the timetable and announcements in the day.
Discover Sendai, The Biggest City in the Tōhoku Region
Sendai, the Tōhoku region‘s biggest city north of the Tadami Line is an amazing destination that encompasses both city and countryside characteristics, even in the city center. This is why the locals proudly advertise their hometown as Forest City (Morio no Miyako, 杜の都). The city, with a good balance of urban and natural attractions, is the perfect destination to visit before heading back to Tokyo.
For the attractions there, refer to our article on Sendai!
