Tadami Railway Line: One Of The World's Most Romantic Train Ride

If you are planning a honeymoon in Japan, you must consider taking some extravagant train rides, the pride of Nippon. Excellent service adds to the charm of travelling in super-fast bullet trains and if you are travelling with your spouse, the ride itself can be romantic and very scenic!

Tadami Railway Line

Just like Ed Sheeran's song "Perfect." if you want your significant other to fall in love with you all over again, book a ticket for a ride on Japan's Tadami railway line that runs from Aizuwakamatsu Station in Fukushima Prefecture to Koide Station in Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture. The point where your carriage overlooks the Tadami River has wowed everyone. 

The region is covered with heavy and thick layers of snow during winters. Located in Oku Aizu, in the northernmost part of Hanshu, the rail line branches out through Tohuku for almost 135 km. And this stretch has some pretty picturesque landscapes. If you travel on the Tadami line, you get to see different shades of nature for each season.

When the train crosses over the Bridge Viewpoint on the No 1 Tadami River lane, your window is the frame for valleys, lakes, forests and mountains, all laid out like a stunning painting.

A Hidden Gem

Oku Aizu is not very well known. Without any hope of having a booming tourism industry, the place experienced something of a miracle when photographers went out of their way to capture the beauty of the train line. Some of it had been restored, thankfully for the joint efforts provided by the local residents. Nevertheless, the line connecting Tadami and Aizu Kawaguchi remains inaccesbile and abandoned.

What To See & Do

There's a lot to see here. During the third and fourth week of February, the area hosts a winter carnival across all the towns and villages but the one in Tadami is special with ice sculptures and statues, firework performances and a display of local culture. In spring, cherry blossoms and dogtooth bloom covering the ground with purple and pink petals. 

The town of Yanaizu has an architectural marvel known as the ancient Enzoji Temple which looks spectacular bathed in colours of autumn. Indulge in a leisurely stroll and soak in the essence of Japanese culture.

How To Book

This line is offbeat and regional. Booking tickets online is not available but one can use a JR Rail Pass and refer to the Tadami Line Guidebook available online to plan the journey.