"I want to go to a snowy region, but I'm scared and anxious about driving on snowy roads." "I want to easily get to a ski resort from Tokyo without renting a car." For tourists visiting Japan and families without cars, this is the perfect hidden gem! We'll thoroughly explain how to access "Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen" and popular sightseeing routes!
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Our Lodge, Familia Aizu Kogen, is located three and a half hours by train from Tokyo. It's located at Takatsue Snow Resort in Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture. This hidden gem, uncrowded ski resort offers safe and enjoyable skiing and snow activities, even for beginners. Just a short journey away, you'll find historical cultural assets and public baths that have been preserved by villagers, entrenching their culture. With easy access to Nikko and Aizuwakamatsu, we recommend combining winter sports with historical exploration and hot spring touring. As residents of Aizu Kogen, we'll share information that's hard to find in guidebooks or online! Now's your chance to discover a true "Hidden Gem"! Come and discover treasures no one else has discovered! We look forward to seeing you in Aizu Kogen.
"I want to go to Japan's snowy world, but I'm scared and anxious about driving on snowy roads..." "I want to easily get to ski resorts and snowy regions from Tokyo without renting a car."
For tourists visiting Japan and families without cars who face such dilemmas, there's a perfect hidden gem of a route. It's a secluded snow area that can be reached directly by taking an express train from Asakusa , a historic tourist hub in Tokyo .
This time, we'll provide a complete guide to train access from Tokyo that will get you there without you getting lost, and a thorough explanation of popular sightseeing routes (Nikko and Ouchi-juku) that you can stop by on your way back!
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Table of Contents
- Three steps to access " Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen " by train from Tokyo(Asakusa ).
- No car needed after arrival! Safe and convenient location within walking distance.
- Enjoy the return trip without a car! A sightseeing route from Minamiaizu Aizu (Aizu kogen) to popular tourist destinations.
Three steps to access " Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen " by train from Tokyo(Asakusa ).
Step 1: Board the "Limited Express Liberty Aizu" from Tobu Asakusa Station.
The starting point from Tokyo is Asakusa Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, which is also a hub for sightseeing. If you take the Tobu Limited Express Liberty Aizu departing from here, you can travel all the way to Minamiaizu (Aizu kogen) without any transfers and while remaining seated.
However, to ensure that foreign visitors travelers and first-time users can board smoothly at their destination, be sure to check the following three important points regarding ticket purchase .
◾️ Express train tickets are "all reserved seating" and can be purchased online up to one month in advance.
All seats on the Limited Express Liberty are reserved . In addition to the basic fare ticket, a "Limited Express Ticket" is required. Limited Express Tickets can be purchased in advance by credit card payment on the Tobu Railway's English-language website (TOBU Online Special Express Ticket Booking) starting one month before the date of travel (from 9:00 AM). We strongly recommend booking online before all seats are taken.
◾️Entry using transportation IC cards (Suica/PASMO) is not permitted! You must purchase a paper ticket.
At Asakusa Station, you can enter the ticket gates using IC cards such as Suica and PASMO, but your destination, Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station, is outside the IC card area (it's an unmanned station), so you cannot pay with an IC card when you get off. Before going through the ticket gates, be sure to purchase a paper ticket from your departure point to Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station at a ticket machine or ticket window at Asakusa Station. If you happen to board using an IC card, you can ask the conductor to process the change on board, so please don't worry.
◾️If you wish to pay by credit card, please go to "Tobu Tourist Service Center Asakusa".
Some automatic ticket machines at Asakusa Station may not accept credit card payments. foreign visitors travelers who wish to pay for their entire journey—including train and express train tickets—by credit card should head to the Tobu Tourist Information Center Asakusa on the first floor of Asakusa Station. English-speaking staff are available, and you can purchase and receive all your tickets at once using a credit card, making it the most convenient option.
* For more details, please check the Tobu Railway website.
Step 2: A comfortable journey to Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station
The journey takes approximately 3 hours. All seats are equipped with power outlets and free Wi-Fi is available, allowing you to comfortably use your smartphone or PC. Enjoying a bento box while watching the scenery gradually change from the cityscape to a vast, snowy landscape is also a wonderful part of the travel experience.
Step 3: Take a shared on-demand taxi (reservations required by 5 PM the day before) to the front of your accommodation or ski resort.
After getting off at Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station, you will use the local shared taxi (demand taxi) "Ndabe Taxi". It takes approximately 25-30 minutes (900 yen one way for adults) to go directly from the station to the front of your accommodation, so you don't have to walk on snowy roads, even if you have large suitcases or are traveling with children, which is very reassuring. *Please note that the arrival time of the demand taxi may vary slightly depending on other passengers.
[Important] Demand Taxi Booking Rules & Tips
Advance reservations required: Reservations must be made by phone by 5:00 PM the day before your desired date of use.
Reservation procedure: Please provide the following information: "Departure time (arrival station and train arrival time)" and "Drop-off location (Vacation Lodge Familia Aizu kogen)".
English support and arrangement assistance: If you are unsure about making arrangements in English or making phone calls in Japanese, please feel free to contact our us (who speak English)! We will provide you with information in advance.
★If you want to leave at a leisurely pace to coincide with check-in, this time slot is recommended!
11:00 Departing from Asakusa Station at
↓
13:51 Arrived at Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station
↓
14:00, boarded a demand taxi
↓
14:30.Arrived at Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen
★If you want to enjoy skiing from the morning, this time slot is recommended!
*Excluding Sundays
6:30 Departure from Asakusa Station
↓
9:23 Arrived at Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station
↓
9:30 boarded a demand taxi
↓
10:00 Arrive at Takatsue Ski Resort (or Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen)
*Times are based on the 2025-2026 timetable.
No car needed after arrival! Safe and convenient location within walking distance.
"Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen" eliminates the stress of travel after arrival, even if you don't have a car.
Backyard mini snow park (0 minutes walk): Sleds and snow play equipment available for free rental. "If you get cold, you can walk back to the warm lounge in 10 seconds." A great environment for small kids and those taking a break.
Aizu highland Takatsue Ski Resort (5-minute walk): A hidden gem where you can enjoy high-quality powder snow without long lines for lifts or rentals. Kids' park available. Suitable for skiers of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Takatsue Onsen Shirakaba no Yu (3-minute walk): A natural hot spring where you can warm your body to the core after playing in the snow. Open-air bath available.
Enjoy the return trip without a car! A sightseeing route from Minamiaizu Aizu (Aizu kogen) to popular tourist destinations.
After enjoying a relaxing multi-night stay at "Vacation Lodge FamiliA, Aizu kogen," instead of simply returning to Tokyo, we recommend a "car-free sightseeing route" that takes you around the area's most popular tourist destinations. Since the Tobu Line, Yagan Railway, and Aizu Railway all offer direct connections, you can easily travel around by train alone.
Route A: A route to experience the history of the Edo period: "Ouchi-juku" & "Aizu-Tajima"
From your accommodation, take a demand taxi to Aizu-Tajima Station (approximately 45 minutes). From there, take the Aizu Railway for about 25 minutes to Yunokami Onsen Station, and you'll reach Ouchi-juku, a famous tourist spot that boasts a rare thatched-roof station building and preserves the atmosphere of an Edo-period post town.
From Yunokami Onsen Station to Ouchi-juku, it's about a 20-minute ride on the shared bus (Saruyu-go). After enjoying the local specialty "Negi Soba" and soaking up the traditional snowscape, you can take the Limited Express Liberty from Aizu-Tajima Station back to Asakusa in one go. Alternatively, you could continue your journey deeper into Fukushima and Tohoku area towards Aizuwakamatsu -Wakamatsu.
Route B: A sightseeing route visiting Kinu River Onsen and Nikko, featuring World Heritage sites and hot springs.
This route involves making a stop along the way from Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station towards Asakusa, and visiting two of Tochigi Prefecture's most famous tourist destinations.
Kinugawa Onsen: Approximately 1 hour by express or local train from Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station. Enjoy a one-night stay in this hot spring town surrounded by the beauty of the gorge, and soothe your fatigue from playing in the snow with a relaxing soak in the hot springs.
Nikko (Nikko Toshogu Shrine), a World Heritage Site: Take the train via Kinugawa Onsen Station and transfer at Shimo-Imaichi Station (approximately 40-60 minutes) to reach Tobu Nikko Station. From there, you can explore the World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the beautiful temple complex, and Lake Chuzenji. After sightseeing, you can take the Limited Express Kegon or Limited Express Liberty directly from Tobu Nikko Station to Asakusa(approximately 2 hours).
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