Fukushima

Fukushima is a city in northern Japan, capital of the prefecture that shares its name, set in a fruit-growing basin between mountain ranges on the shinkansen line north of Tokyo. Orchards ring the city, and roadside stands sell peaches all summer; locals call the region Tohoku's fruit basket.

In spring, Hanamiyama Park turns whole hillsides pink with plum and cherry planted over generations by local farming families, blooming a little later than Tokyo's season. The Bandai-Azuma Skyline road climbs into volcanic scenery above town, passing the bare cone of Azuma-Kofuji, whose crater rim you can walk in the snow-free months.

Three onsen areas sit within the city limits, with Iizaka Onsen the oldest and best known, reached by its own local train line. Summer is for fruit picking, and autumn colors the volcano road. Most visitors pair Fukushima with Aizuwakamatsu or continue north toward Sendai on the shinkansen.