Come along on a trip in Japan, as we get behind the wheel.

Notable places and interesting people are waiting just off the beaten path.

Today we're exploring Fukushima.

From Koriyama Station, we'll head for Tsuruga Castle.

The castle has long been a symbol of Fukushima and a pride of its people.

In 2011, coastal Fukushima was devastated by a tsunami from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant stretches along this coastline.

Twelve years on from the disaster, local conditions are finally returning to normal.

The Fukushima of today entices with unexpected beauty that makes you want to get behind the wheel.

Let's hit the road.

Welcome! As your navigation system, I'll take you to some of the many wonders Japan has to offer!

If we head west from Koriyama, it only takes about an hour to reach Tsuruga Castle.

But let's go east, toward the coast, and see the new Fukushima emerging from the aftermath of the great earthquake.

The town of Okuma had to be evacuated after the meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

But residents have been returning since 2019, when the restrictions were lifted.

Today, 140 new city housing units stand on former agricultural land.

And in the summer of 2023, nearly all of them are occupied.

Let's venture closer to the coast.

National Route 6 takes us within two kilometers of Fukushima Daiichi.

You can see the barricades.

The zone around the plant is still restricted.

From here, you can see the full scale of the plant.

Work to decommission the reactors is still underway.

Continuing up the coast, we come to the towns of Futaba and Namie.

Both had to be completely evacuated.

Driving through Namie brings us closer to the ocean.

You can see the new seawall stretching along the shore.

The Ukedo district of Namie is close to the ocean.

Locations like this were the most severely damaged by the tsunami.

See that building in the distance? Let's go have a look.

This was once an elementary school.

Namie preserved the building as it was after the tsunami.

It opened to the public in 2021.

Almost miraculously, all of the teachers and students were evacuated in time.

How about visiting the local rest stop and mingling with some of the residents?

Michinoeki Namie opened in 2021.

There's a huge choice of local produce here.

And while you shop, you may get the chance to chat with some of the farmers who grew it. Let's check it out.

"Local growers bring in their produce
for shoppers to browse."

"Saito Chiyono (89) has lived in Namie
for seven decades."

As soon as the restrictions were lifted,
I came back to grow vegetables.

"Namie farmers started shipping
a new variety of onions in 2020."

I was born and raised here.

There's something about Namie
that just makes me feel better.

"The shelves are crowded with
all kinds of local products."

"Fukushima is Japan's second-largest
peach grower."

"Sample local cuisine at the food court."

"Fresh fish are brought from Namie and
surrounding ports."

"'Shirasu' are steamed anchovy fry."

"They're a regional specialty."

Our menu includes a rice bowl
with unlimited "shirasu" topping.

We carry out stringent inspections
on each and every batch.

Customers can enjoy delicious
seafood with absolute peace of mind.

"And next door, there's a full-scale
sake brewery."

"Suzuki Daisuke is a fifth-generation brewer."

The tsunami was 15 meters high.

It left no trace of the old brewery.

"The new brewery began operation
in March 2021."

"Six months later, it started shipping sake."

For a long time,
this area was uninhabitable.

All I want to do is help Namie rebuild.

On this leg, we've seen the new Fukushima emerging along the coast.

But there's much more to explore as we head inland.

We'll be passing through the capital on the way to Tsuruga Castle.

First, let's head for Soma.

I know a scenic route that's sure to please you.

It's called the Osu-Matsukawa Line.

The magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean, and blue waters of Matsukawa-ura lagoon make will you feel as if you've stumbled into a paradise.

After the tsunami, this road was closed for a long time.

It finally reopened in 2022.

The Soma Interchange is up ahead. It's part of the Tohoku-Chuo Expressway.

There's no toll.

The section of road from Soma to Fukushima City is also known as a Reconstruction Support Road.

It'll make the leg to Fukushima fast and easy.

Buckle up! Let me show you a lineup of Fukushima's most remarkable spots and experiences.

Our first discovery is waiting in this fruit orchard.

Fukushima Prefecture is one of Japan's leading fruit producers.

Remember those peaches at the rest stop?

The harvest is underway right now.

Any idea what this is?

They're fruit vending machines!

Here you can buy fresh and delicious off-spec fruit at bargain prices.

Let's see what else is waiting to be discovered.

The Bandai-Azuma Sky Line is a scenic mountain road.

We'll climb all the way up to 1,622 meters.

Above 1,400 meters, the scenery changes dramatically.

The landscape is something worth seeing.

The views of the volcanic highland stretching into the distance are spectacular.

One word of warning-volcanic gases wafting from the mountain can get pretty pungent.

As we descend the mountain, you can see our next destination.

Lake Inawashiro is the fourth-largest lake in Japan.

It's a regional magnet for summer camping and water sports.

Tourist boats shaped like swans and turtles ply the lake.

It's a great way to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Tsuruga Castle is 40 minutes down the road, in Aizuwakamatsu.

This place calls itself "Samurai City."

Aizuwakamatsu was the scene of fighting during a civil war at the end of the Edo period.

Samurai from the region were loyal to the shogun.

During the battle, Tsuruga Castle was badly damaged.

Today's castle is a modern reproduction.

You'll find echoes of the samurai spirit everywhere in Aizuwakamatsu.

The castle is a symbol of the city.

Our journey ends here. Explore the castle, and touch the heart of Fukushima!