This article explains how to access Hattachi/Bentenjima, one of the sightseeing spots in the northern part of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, by train or local bus.
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Access by train or local bus
Hattachi Beach is located between JR Yotsukura Station and JR Hisanohama Station, about 3 km from the railroad station.As for local buses, the area is not served on Sundays and national holidays. Therefore, from Monday to Saturday, local buses are used, and on Sundays and national holidays, only railroads are used.
How to get there by train
The nearest station is JR Kunohama Station.
Cabs are available in front of the station, so you may consider taking a cab. However, the distance from the station to the destination is only about 3 km, so it should take no time at all to get there if you walk while enjoying the view of Hattachi Beach.
Google search shows that it takes 35 minutes to get there, but in reality it takes only 30 minutes to get there. (For the elderly and slow-moving people, it takes about 35 to 40 minutes.)
Incidentally, although it is possible to access the site from JR Yotsukura Station, it is not recommended because you will be using the Hamakkaido road of the Edo period, which is slightly over a mountain pass (Yotsukura – Hisanohama border) and the distance is over 3 km.
There is also a route that passes through the footpath tunnel of the old Route 6 National Highway, but we do not recommend that route because the tunnel is dark, wet, and incredibly scary. LOL.
Therefore, it is better to access from JR Hisanohama Station.
How to access by local bus
If you take the local bus, the nearest bus stop is “Hattachi Yakushi”.
If you get off at Hattachi Yakushi bus stop, Hattachi Beach and Benten Island are right in front of you, so it is most recommended. However, please note that the fare is 690 yen one way (Iwaki Station→Hattachi Yakushi) and there are not many buses running.
The timetable for FY2022 is shown below.
Fare: 690 yen (one way)
Boarding gate in front of Iwaki Station: No. 7
Destination: (Express：急行富岡駅) Tomioka Station
| Departure from Iwaki Station | Arrival at Hattachi Yakushi |
|---|---|
| 07:00 | 07:24 |
| 08:45 | 09:09 |
| 11:30 | 11:54 |
| 16:35＊Closed on Saturdays | 16:59 |
| Departure from Hattachi Yakushi | Arrive at Iwaki Station |
|---|---|
| 08:20＊Closed on Saturdays | 08:50 |
| 13:25 | 13:55 |
| 16:55 | 17:40 |
| 18:30 | 19:05 |
In general, a visit to Hattachi Yakushi and Bentenjima takes about 30 minutes. Therefore, if you want to access the island by local bus, you should take the 11:30 bus leaving from Iwaki Station and return at 13:25.
However, if you think it is a waste of time because you need to spend about an hour on the beach, you can walk to the station!
My personal recommendation is to take the 11:30 train departing from Iwaki Station, arrive at 11:54, visit for about 30 minutes, walk toward JR Hisanohama Station, have lunch at Karasuya Restaurant, and return by train from JR Hisanohama Station.
The train to Iwaki Station leaves from JR Hisanohama Station at 13:02, so it is recommended in terms of both time (14 minutes) and cost (240 yen).
Other: Useful Information
You can also go further north from JR Kunohama Station to Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture. More than 10 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and various facilities are being built to restore the liveliness of the city. I also think it is good that the facilities are located close to the station. I will post a reference article here.
