Train

Along the coast of Fukushima runs one of Japan Rail East’s tracks, the Joban Line. As of March 14, 2020, the entire Joban Line has been opened, from Sendai to Tokyo.

Trains only arrive once or twice an hour, so planning ahead is a must. Look for the timetable in any station, or use a website/app to plan your travel.

For a complete timetable, visit the Minamisoma City Hall website and select your station.

Ticket machines at stations have an English option, but you must select the cost of the ticket by looking at the ticket cost map, usually located near the machines. Find your destination, and input the cost listed next to it.

When planning longer trips, you can speak to the station attendant at the front desk for help. As long as you know the name of your destination, they can get you there.

If you travel by train often, you may want to consider getting a Suica or Pasmo IC card. These cards can be purchased at the front desk and charged at the ticket machine. Simply tap your card at the gate when entering or exiting. There are recharging sections inside the gates in larger stations, or you can ask the station attendant. These can be personalized with your name so that if lost, a new card can be issued with funds intact (fees may apply). 

Put your ticket in the slot, or tap your card on the card-reading area. Your ticket will pop out of the other side of the gate. Don’t forget to take your ticket! Be sure to check which direction the train is going before boarding. Look for the train’s final destination. (e.g. north to Sendai 仙台, or south to Iwaki いわき or Shinagawa 品川).

Insert your ticket or tap your card at the gate. Tickets are automatically collected.

If the gate closes and won’t let you through, talk to the station attendant. You may need to adjust your ticket cost or charge your IC card.

The Joban Line is a regular line that runs from Sendai to Iwaki.

It is a cheaper option, but will stop at every station along the way. The train arrives around once every hour, so be sure to check the timetable beforehand.

The Hitachi-Tokiwa Line is an express line that runs from Sendai to Tokyo and Shinagawa, with a stop in Haranomachi Station. It is more expensive but faster than the Joban Line. There are three trains in each direction every day, so be sure to plan ahead.

All seats are assigned seating, so please purchase a ticket at the station before boarding. On board, empty seats are marked with a red light. Green lights indicate a seat that has been ticketed and reserved. The light above an empty seat will turn yellow if someone will be boarding at the next station.

The Hitachi-Tokiwa Line has many more branches in Iwaki and onward, so be sure to check the final destination of the train (Sendai) when returning to Minamisoma.

Note:The following timetables are abbreviated and do not include every stop on the line. For a complete schedule, visit the Minamisoma City Hall website and select your station.