How snowy is it likely to be? (Fukushima-ken)

Hi!

I do have experience driving in snow, but not in Japan(I have only driven in the Summer.) I'm thinking of renting a car and driving from Koriyama to Ononiimachi in late December, (think the 22nd or 23rd) is that area likely to have a lot of snow? (i.e more than 6cm on the road?) I'm thinking of taking local roads to my destination since it has the same eta as the expressway and I like the fact Japanese roads have such low speed limits, but if you think the expressway will have clearer roads, then I will take it instead.) This would all be during daylight hours.

I looked up Koriyama itself and snow doesn't seem likely, but it's a lot harder to find information on the areas between Koriyama and Ononiimachi since that area is not heavily touristed and most of the towns are pretty small.

I would just take the train, but while the train going isn't so bad (9:16 arriving at 12:09. but, I can't get a train back until 14:36, and I am just not sure I want that much time!)

I have been in a blizzard in Japan, so I know they can happen, I am just wondering more the likelihood of heavy snow during our trip or roads blanketed in deeper (6cm+ ) snow. Plus if we had extra time I could try to convince my kid to go to Abukuma Caves or somewhere else interesting.

Thank you in advance!

Fukushima Prefecture has more snow on the Sea of Japan side and less snow on the Pacific Ocean side.
Also, there is a lot of snow in February and not so much in December.
When I went to Aizu in December, I used a snow-melting agent in front of the hotel, but probably I have to be more careful with frozen roads than with snow.
If you want to go to Rika-chan Castle, it's a 15-minute walk from the station, so you can also go by train.
https://liccacastle.co.jp/faq/faq01
The latest snowfall in Ono Town can be seen here.
https://www.nhk.or.jp/kishou-saigai/city/status/07522000752200/
Please refer to this as well.
https://tenten-f.info/article/1042/
I don't know if I'll get a response, but it might be a good idea to contact the tourist association by e-mail. written at the bottom.
https://onokankou.jimdofree.com/

Well I can't say for sure, since I have never been there, but...

As you say, Fukushima is not so snowy as for a prefecture in Tohoku. Koriyama has less snow in Fukushima prefecture. So it is very likely you can drive on sunny and dry road. But it is also possible that you have to drive on icy road. Even in southern Kagoshima where I am living, the road is sometimes covered with snow (once in three years, maybe).

The bright side is that Koriyama is rather big city and there are many rental car companies so you will easily find a car on the day. If the clerk at the company says it will be OK, then take the rental car.

@Frog1954, the problem with waiting is the rate on line right now is very low and the time between when the shinkansen gets in and the connection is only about 10 minutes. It's easy to make if you go straight there, less so if you want to do something else first. If I miss the 11:17, the next train is 13:24! But thank you!

@Haro1210, ohh thanks for that email! maybe they won't write back but it doesn't hurt to ask!

Yeah I've walked from Ononiimachi Station to Licca Castle many times, (this is not my first trip) it's more the train between Ononiimachi runs once an hour to once every 2+ hours so when you miss it, you are stuck in either Ononiimachi or Koriyama for a while. We've not been to Licca Castle since 2019, and I am just not sure it will take the 2 hours we would have if we take the 14:36. (The train before leaves before 13:00 and so we just won't have enough time, unless we take an earlier train from Tokyo to make that one.)

Yeah, I don't like snowy or icy roads, but, I have driven both (without snow tires) and with a lot of snow. I just am not fond of it.

I drove on semi-icy roads January 2021 taking my daughter to school. The roads where I live were poorly plowed, so we had a week of some icy roads before the ice melted, but with low speed limits they're not as scary. I admit, I am a bit traumatized from driving to get my husband at an airport in NY in 2019 and driving on expressways in deep snow with lots of snow coming down. We finally got behind a plow, but it was an awful experience. We barely made it home because the car struggled with the hill. (We didn't have snow tires or chains.)

Koriyama itself is not snowy and I am heading towards the Pacific side. Would taking the expressway in Japan make more sense (and just paying the toll) or taking local roads in terms of ice or snow? I do plan to rent a car with snow tires in Japan.

Thank you for your responses!

Look at how to access Licca-chan Castle,
I noticed that it takes about 10 minutes by taxi from the Ban'etsu Expressway Ono Interchange stop on the highway bus.
https://liccacastle.co.jp/access
Click here for express bus times.
Take a bus from Koriyama Station front(郡山駅前, Koriyama-ekimae) to Ono Interchange(小野インター,Ono- intaa).
https://www.aizubus.com/highway/iwaki/iwaki_line_up
From there, you need to call a taxi, but I think you don't have to drive a car.
It seems that there is no phone at the bus stop, so a smartphone is also necessary.
If you use the opposite direction, please check here as well.
https://www.aizubus.com/highway/iwaki/iwaki_line_down
Location of Ono interchange
https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/%E5%B0%8F%E9%87%8E%E3%82%A4%E3%83%...
Since it is a bus, there is a possibility that it will be late.
Also, it will take more than 10 minutes for the taxi to arrive.
The bus stop is outdoors, so it might be cold.
If you can catch the train, it would be better to take the train.
Taxi company in Ono Niimachi
https://www.taxisite.com/station/info/1122807.aspx
Please refer to here for how to call a taxi.
https://livejapan.com/ja/article-a0000913/

Hi @Haro1210, no I think my child would get cranky standing outside waiting for the bus if it is cold and I am unsure if we would have the Japanese skills to get a cab over the phone.

I just might rent the car now and wait to see how I feel as I get closer to the cancellation date. As it is, I am now thinking it might be worth it to rent a car to go to Nagashima Spa Land from Nagoya as well, since it might make it easier if we want to go strawberry picking. I need to email the hotel and ask them about their transport (we are staying on property at the Hotel Nagashima)

Strawberry picking at Nagashima Farm takes about 40 minutes from Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center, which runs daily, and about 15 minutes from Kuwana Station（桑名駅,Kuwana-eki). 1 minute walk from Nagashima Farm Mae（ナガシマファーム前） bus stop.
https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/resort/farm/en.html
Timetable from Nagoya/Meitetsu Bus Center
This bus passes through the Nabana no Sato （なばなの里）bus stop.
https://www.sanco.co.jp/shuttle/nagoyanagashima-genbin-20220901.pdf
Bus from Kuwana Station (No. 53)
https://www.sanco.co.jp/bus_stop/nagashima-20220901.pdf
The bus written as カ in katakana is the bus designed by Anpanman, as shown in the illustration below.
On the other side of the 53rd timetable, I could only find the one from Nagashima Onsen（長島温泉）. It takes about 8 minutes from Nagashima Onsen Bus Stop to Nagashima Farm Mae Bus Stop.
For details, please check the timetable posted at the bus stop. I think it's on the other side of the street from the bus stop arriving from Kuwana station.
https://www.sanco.co.jp/bus_stop/nagashima-20220901.pdf
Both buses will run on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays timetable from December 30th to January 4th.
You can also check bus times here.
https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/resort/farm/timetable20200401.html
Since the number of buses is limited, I think it's easier to move around with a rental car.
It might be a good idea not to rent a car for a long period of time, but to rent only where you think you need it. (Though the discount rate may be lower.)
As for Ono-Niimachi, I think I'll see if there's another way.
By the way, where are you planning to stay after visiting Licca-chan House?
If you stay at Hawaiians, it might be a good idea to move to Hawaiians first and go sightseeing the next day (after checkout?).
Hawaiians has a free shuttle bus from Yumoto station.
https://www.hawaiians.co.jp/access/acs02a.html#tab
There is also a free bus for hotel guests that requires a reservation.
https://www.hawaiians.co.jp/otoku/bus/index.html

Hi @Haro1210,

No, we're actually not doing any other touring in Fukushima-ken this trip and going back to Tokyo in the evening. We've done that as a roundtrip several times in the past, but I do plan on a future longer trip to do some Fukushima touring.

This particular trip to Japan we are actually going to Maui first and then leaving from there to head towards Tokyo, so that feels like enough Hawaii for one trip.

I might just rent the car. I want to say I saw a rate with snow tires for 3200 yen for the day which seems very reasonable.

I've been collecting Licca dolls since my first trip to Japan in 1999 and my daughter since her first trip in 2016. I know it's a sort of weird hobby, but I've always loved fashion dolls and Licca is much more appealing than US dolls. Back in 2000, I had a friend enter me for the S Painting Tour, so I actually got to go onto the floor at the Castle and paint my own doll head. It was pretty amazing. Outside the S Tour and a friend driving me, I always took the train from Koriyama until 2019 when we rented a car for the day. It was Summer and very easy and pleasant and it's why I'd do it again. We didn't go in February 2020 and I've been regretting it since then.

For Nagashima I think I would rent the car from maybe Nagoya so that I can get to Nagashima Spa Land faster. I just want to check with the resort because I think they have special buses just for hotel guests. We do plan to go to the theme park as well. I've wanted to go for ages, but I wanted my daughter to make all the height lines first. I would keep it two days, but I guess I can also look at renting it from Kuwana and returning it there. Our larger bag we will takkyubin between Kyoto and Tokyo, so we will just have a smaller sized wheeled bag and my daughter's violin.

My general rule of thumb for Japan is don't rent a car if the places you are going are charging for parking. It's generally a sign public transport is much better. So we are using the train: Narita to Tokyo, Tokyo to Koriyama, Koriyama back to Tokyo, Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Nagoya, Nagoya to Tokyo, Tokyo to Shin-Hanamaki, Shin-Hanamaki to Tokyo and Tokyo to Narita. We're not doing an open jaw airline ticket because 1) Our ticket actually is already an open jaw. It's Hawaii to Narita, Narita to our home state. Doing Hawaii to Osaka, Tokyo to our home state was incredibly expensive unless we did a layover in Hawaii which I did not want to do. and 2) Licca Castle closes from the 26th to the 2nd and so if I don't go in the beginning of my trip, I can't go since we leave on the 3rd. We also want to try to go to a Licca event in Osaka on the 24th.

Thank you for continuing to look at options.

I've never driven on a snowy road, but if you wear snow tires (studless tires?), you'll probably be fine as long as you don't brake suddenly or speed up.
I used a Licca-chan doll and a Licca-chan house, and I used to play with them at home when I was in elementary school.
I think of it as a Japanese version of Barbie.
You may have been there, but Licca-chan related goods are also sold here.
https://liccacastle.co.jp/lcshop/
https://liccacastle.co.jp/kobe_closet/
The Tokyo store didn't have a schedule for December yet, but it seems that the Kobe store will be closed from December 29th to January 4th.
If you can buy an Amazon prize, I think it would be good to buy ANA's Licca (a person living in Australia used to say you couldn't buy it). When I heard about Hawaii, I discovered it.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/%EF%BC%81A380%E5%B0%B1%E8%88%AA%E8%A8%98%E5%B... %E3%82%AB%E3%81%A1%E3%82%83%E3%82%93%E3%82%B3%E3%83%A9%E3%83%9C-ANA%E3%82%AA %E3%83%AA%E3%82%B8%E3%83%8A%E3%83%ABCA-%E2%99%A1%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AB%E3%81%A1% E3%82%83%E3%82%93%E2%93%87-Special/dp/B07V8H9FGX?language=en_US¤cy=JPY
They may also be able to deliver to hotels.

Takara Tomy also has Licca-chan information, so I will post a link.
https://licca.takaratomy.co.jp/?_gl=1*k2vp3y*_ga*MzY4NzQ2MTcwLjE2Njg1N....
https://licca.takaratomy.co.jp/official/?_gl=1%2A14dj7hb%2A_ga%2AMzY4N....
https://licca.takaratomy.co.jp/stylishlicca/?_gl=1*2jijow*_ga*MzY4NzQ2....
https://licca.takaratomy.co.jp/licca-dream/?_gl=1*1s1n79i*_ga*MzY4NzQ2.....
https://licca.takaratomy.co.jp/products/doll/licca_17/?_gl=1*czqn0t*_g.....

@Haro1210,

Oh Kobe changed their dates! When I looked earlier they were closed the 26-2, the same as Licca Castle. And yes, we are hoping to make it to that shop on the 24th or 25th. (Otherwise Summer 2023!) We've not been to the Kobe store yet because it opened in March 2019 and we just didn't have time in June 2019. We've been several times to the shop in Tokyo. Originally, we were going to try that one on the 23rd and not go to the Castle, but since I will have a pass, I'd rather make the Castle work. The stores use to be open to 19:00 or 20:00 which made it easier to get more shopping in.

And yes, whenever I mention Licca to someone Japanese born in the 1970s or 1980s, they all remember playing with her when they were in elementary school. It's a bit of an unusual thing to like as an adult, but there are other adult collectors. The doll events in Tokyo can be quite popular. (There are doll events in Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka too, just Tokyo has the largest ones. Before I had my daughter, I use to go to this event: https://liccacastle.co.jp/eventnews/%e3%83%89%e3%83%bc%e3%83%ab%e3%82%... but I now have to work around my daughter's school vacations so can't go.

I am a very careful driver and I am extra careful when I am in a rental car because it's a rental car and not mine.

I have used a shopping service to buy from the Takara Tomy site. In general, I prefer the Castle dolls because they are still made in Japan and you can see the dolls being made. I've used a service to buy a few times from the Castle shop during Covid times, but it's just more fun to buy a doll in person. My daughter also likes the Azone dolls because she has been trying to create her own dolls and I dabble in the bigger dolls made by Volks Japan.

Thank you for your reply.
I understand that you are an enthusiastic Licca-chan fan.
Also, if you have any questions, please contact us.
Please enjoy your trip.

I'm searching now and found a page where you can check road conditions.
I think that it mainly passes through Route 49, so please check in advance.
On the way, it seems to pass through a place close to 1000m above sea level.
http://road.thr.mlit.go.jp/index.html
Please select Fukushima Prefecture（福島県） and Koriyama City（郡山市） or Tamura Town（田村町） in the municipality selection（市町村選択）.
I think that the list of today's regulation information（本日の規制情報） and the list of snow conditions（雪状況の一覧） in the list display by information （情報別一覧表示）will also be helpful.
This may also be helpful.
https://question.realestate.yahoo.co.jp/knowledge/chiebukuro/detail/12...

Hi @Haro1210!

Thank you! A lot of those comments in the discussion for the person moving to Koriyama reminded me how I sounded after living in Connecticut a few years, except I lived in the area with 1 meter of snow. And yes via expressway I think there is somewhere where it is higher, but I think via local roads (rte 54 to rte 65.) Last time I took the E49 expressway. :D

Thank you, I really appreciate all of the links!