basic information

How to travel between Tokyo and Aizu

By shinkansen

Take a yamabiko train along the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Koriyama Station and transfer to a regular train on the JR Banetsu-sai Line. Get off at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. The entire trip takes approximately three hours, costs about 9000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By highway bus

Multiple daytime and overnight buses are operated between JR Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal in Tokyo and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. The one way trip takes 4.5 hours (7 hours by overnight bus) and costs 4800 yen one way. Round trip ticket cost 7000 yen and must be used within a six day period.

Note that a limited number of discount tickets is offered at a reduced priced if purchased at least one day in advance. These tickets cost only 2500 yen one way (there is no reduced price for a round trip ticket), but may sell out quickly.

Orientation

Aizu's main railway station is Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, served by JR and the Aizu Railways. The city's attractions are not located within walking distance of the station and are distributed across the city center, with many concentrated in and around Tsuruga Castle Park.

The easiest way for tourists to get around Aizu is the Aizu Loop Bus, which connects Aizu-Wakamatsu Station with all of the city's sites of interest. The loop buses operate from 8:00 to 18:30 and travel in a counter-clockwise every 30 minutes, and in clockwise direction every 60 minutes. During winter, buses operate only in the counter-clockwise direction.

One ride on the Aizu Loop Bus costs 200 yen, while a day pass for unlimited rides on one calendar day costs 500 yen. Furthermore, a combination ticket, which consists of a day pass for the loop buses and admission to Tsuruga Castle, Rinkaku Teahouse and Oyakuen Garden is sold for 1360 yen.

Aizu has also a network of regular city buses, although most tourists will have no need to use them, as the tourist loop buses are easier to use. Fares for regular city buses are dependent on distance traveled.

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