Things to Do in Katsurao (葛尾村), Fukushima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Katsurao (葛尾村) in Fukushima Prefecture (Tohoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Hi Yama (日山), Utsushiga Dake (移ヶ岳), Yadaijin Yama (矢大臣山) and served by Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) via the regional hub at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen). Set at 515 m elevation (37.5090°N, 140.7770°E), Katsurao offers travelers a base for sampling regional Kitakata shoyu ramen, Kozuyu (Aizu scallop & vegetable lacquerware soup), Wappa-meshi (steamed cedar-box rice) cuisine and exploring neighboring Namie (浪江町) (7.7 km), Iitate (飯舘村) (19 km), Futaba (双葉町) (19 km), Ōkuma (大熊町) (19.3 km).

However, in March 2011, the entire population was evacuated as a result of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The evacuation order was lifted on June 12, 2016 for much of the village; however, the actual number of residents who returned is considerably less than the official population numbers. Set in a highland landscape at roughly 515 m above sea level in Fukushima Prefecture, Katsurao is anchored by local landmarks including Hi Yama (日山), Utsushiga Dake (移ヶ岳), Yadaijin Yama (矢大臣山) and connects to neighboring Namie, Iitate, Futaba via Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km). Within Fukushima Prefecture, Katsurao (葛尾村) serves as a village (村) in fukushima prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Samurai castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, thatched Edo post town of Ouchijuku, volcanic lakes of Urabandai & Mount Bandai, and historic Higashiyama & Iizaka onsen.

What to See & Do in Katsurao (葛尾村): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Katsurao (葛尾村) from Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) at 515 m elevation (37.5090°N, 140.7770°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Katsurao):

• Hi Yama (日山) — local sightseeing landmark near Katsurao (葛尾村).
• Utsushiga Dake (移ヶ岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Katsurao (葛尾村).
• Yadaijin Yama (矢大臣山) — local sightseeing landmark near Katsurao (葛尾村).
• Higakure Yama (日隠山) — local sightseeing landmark near Katsurao (葛尾村).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Katsurao: Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) (connecting to Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Katsurao

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Katsurao (葛尾村) and Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Fukushima Prefecture and Tohoku:

• Namie (浪江町) — 7.7 km from Katsurao (Fukushima Prefecture)
• Iitate (飯舘村) — 19 km from Katsurao (Fukushima Prefecture)
• Futaba (双葉町) — 19 km from Katsurao (Fukushima Prefecture)
• Ōkuma (大熊町) — 19.3 km from Katsurao (Fukushima Prefecture)
• Kawamata (川俣町) — 19.9 km from Katsurao (Fukushima Prefecture)

Getting to Katsurao & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Katsurao (葛尾村) via Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km): 1h 20m–1h 35m from Tokyo Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko/Tsubasa to Shin-Shirakawa, Koriyama, or Fukushima. From Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) to reach central Katsurao (37.5090°N, 140.7770°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Fukushima with Katsurao (葛尾村) and neighboring Namie, Iitate, Futaba. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Katsurao, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Katsurao between Fukushima and Namie can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Katsurao: While Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) anchors public transit for Katsurao, picking up a rental car at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Hi Yama (日山) and Utsushiga Dake (移ヶ岳) with nearby Namie (浪江町) (7.7 km), Iitate (飯舘村) (19 km), Futaba (双葉町) (19 km), Ōkuma (大熊町) (19.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Katsurao (葛尾村) & Fukushima

Dining near Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) and across Katsurao (葛尾村) highlights the regional food culture of Fukushima Prefecture and Tohoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Katsurao:

• Kitakata shoyu ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Katsurao (葛尾村) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Kozuyu (Aizu scallop & vegetable lacquerware soup) — regional specialty enjoyed across Katsurao (葛尾村) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Wappa-meshi (steamed cedar-box rice) — regional specialty enjoyed across Katsurao (葛尾村) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Fukushima white peaches — regional specialty enjoyed across Katsurao (葛尾村) and Fukushima Prefecture.
• Enban gyoza (disc-shaped pan-fried dumplings) — regional specialty enjoyed across Katsurao (葛尾村) and Fukushima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Katsurao (葛尾村) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km).

Where to Stay in Katsurao (葛尾村)

Visitors staying overnight in Katsurao (葛尾村) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km), or base at major rail hubs in Fukushima (Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen)) or neighboring Namie, Iitate, Futaba for quick train access into Katsurao. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Katsurao & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Katsurao (葛尾村, 515 m elevation at 37.5090°N, 140.7770°E): Mid-April for Miharu Takizakura & Tsuruga Castle blossoms; July–October for Bandai-Azuma skyline and Goshikinuma five-colored lakes; winter for Aizu snow.

Wider sightseeing across Fukushima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Hi Yama (日山) in Katsurao (葛尾村) includes: Samurai castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, thatched Edo post town of Ouchijuku, volcanic lakes of Urabandai & Mount Bandai, and historic Higashiyama & Iizaka onsen.

Practical Travel Tips for Katsurao (葛尾村)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Katsurao: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Koriyama & Fukushima Stations (Tohoku Shinkansen) or Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) for local bus schedules to Hi Yama (日山) and walking maps of Katsurao (葛尾村).
• Cash & ATMs in Katsurao: Convenience stores and major hotels around Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Hi Yama (日山) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Katsurao accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Katsurao: Around Iwakitokiwa Station (磐城常葉駅) (18.0 km) and neighboring Namie, Iitate, Futaba, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.