About Tomioka
Where Tradition Meets Renewal
Introduction
Gracing the landscapes of Fukushima, Tomioka Town weaves a captivating tale of time-honoured tradition and progressive transformation. From its revered cultural heritage to the vibrancy of its contemporary endeavours, the town exudes an enchanting blend of the past and the present, inviting travellers to embark on a remarkable journey of exploration and rejuvenation.
Brief History
Deeply rooted in a legacy that spans generations, Tomioka Town epitomises the resilience and adaptability of a community that has embraced change while cherishing its heritage. Through a tumultuous history, the town has emerged as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people and their commitment to shaping a promising future.
Things to do
Uncover the mysteries of the Ohara’s Old Head Office, savour the serenity of the Tomioka Fish Harbour, or educate yourself at the TEPCO Decommissioning Archive Centre.
Model Course
A Taste of Tomioka!
This model course gives you the time required, a basic itinerary, a quick outline of the places you’ll visit and finally lists specific details regarding each place on the itinerary.
Itinerary at a Glance
Time Required : Approximately 4 hours
15 minutes by foot
25 minutes by foot/5 minutes by taxi
25 minutes by foot/5 minutes by taxi
20 minutes by foot/5 minutes by taxi
20 minutes by foot/5 minutes by taxi
Outline
After arriving at Tomioka Station, walk to Tomioka Fishing Harbor (about a 10-minute walk). As you climb up a hill you’ll encounter there, you will see the Pacific Ocean in all its glory (If you reserve in advance, you can also enjoy fishing here!). In the summer, there’s a really rich, creamy ice cream sold at Tomioka Station which we recommend you buy before you walk to the harbor!
After your sea expedition, we recommend having lunch at Sakura Mall. The Hamadori Ramen served here won the silver prize in the JR East Souvenir Grand Prix, so if you’re feeling ramen-y, this is your go-to spot! There’s also a variety of other shops including curry and cutlets.
Once you have eaten, we recommend walking (20 minutes) or taking the bus (10 minutes) to the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka! This museum offers a cultural perspective on the town of Tomioka, as it looks at history through the lens of daily life.
While heading to the station, visit the former Ohara Main Store (about 15 minutes), where you can see a photo exhibit of the Tomioka-cho Central Shopping Street, which was bustling with activity before the earthquake, and compare it with the current townscape.
Return to Tomioka Station. (about 15 min.)
Let’s get to know the places on the route better!
- Place
- TEPCO Decommissioning Archive Centre
- Time/Reservation
- Open everyday between 9.30AM-4.30 PM.
- Remarks
- It was created as a place where the people of Fukushima Prefecture and from all over the work can understand what happened as a result of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and the current status of the decommissioning project.
- Place
- Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka
- Time/Reservation
- Open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 AM-5PM.
- Remarks
- This was established by the town of Tomioka, and exhibits both local heritage and records from the disaster in 2011. The museum’s goal is to contextualize how disasters have impacted the history of the region, and to ensure that this history continues to be passed forward.
- Place
- Yonomori Park
- Remarks
- This is home to the fabled sakura tunnel, featuring 1500 cherry trees of the Japanese Somei Yoshino variety. Although several trees here suffered the brunt of the disaster, replanting has been taking place in full swing in an attempt to recreate the tunnel. Some of the trees that survived the disaster are now a hundred years old.
- Place
- Sakura Mall
- Time/Reservation
- Open everyday between 10 AM-8PM.
- Remarks
- Sakura Mall Tomioka was established in 2017, and features a large departmental store and several restaurants. It’s the perfect place to stop for a quick bite, and is also an important milestone for the reopening of the town after 2011.
- Place
- Hayama Shrine
- Remarks
- This is the central Shinto shrine where a fire festival used to be held to pray for a good harvest. This festival has a 400-year old history, but had to be suspended due to the disaster. It returned to Tomioka in August 2018.
- Place
- Tomioka Fish Harbor
- Remarks
- This is a port rich in shellfish, and the main types of fishing are angling and purse seine fishing. It’s considered to be one of Japan’s smallerts ports.
- Place
- Ohara’s Old Head Office
- Remarks
- This is the former head office of a company that has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of Kyoto fu, yuba, konnyaku, etc., and is still researching its products with the same passion as when it was founded in 1912.
- Place
- Tomioka Wine Domain