Major city · Japan
Date伊達
Half a day from Fukushima City: see Ryozen Shrine, try dried persimmons, then move on. Not worth a night unless you have a specific interest in the Date Clan.
Date is a small city in northern Fukushima Prefecture, formed in 2006 from five towns. It is the birthplace of the Date Clan and a centre for dried persimmons (Isazawa). The main draw is Ryozen Shrine on Mount Ryozen. Most travellers pass through on the way to or from Fukushima City, about 20 minutes south.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, snow possible)
- Airport
- FKS
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Date110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Date, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyDate is well outside the 2011 evacuation zone.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFKS Fukushima Airport (About 1 h by car or bus; limited domestic flights.).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealRamen or soba¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9)
- BeerBeer (can at konbini)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km)check¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride within Datecheck¥200–400 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedHostel bed in Fukushima City, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room in Fukushima City, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room in Fukushima City, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FKS Fukushima Airport (About 1 h by car or bus; limited domestic flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Date: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest. Abukuma Express and JR Tohoku Main Line stop at Hobara and Yanagawa stations; buses are infrequent. A taxi from Hobara station to Ryozen Shrine is about 15 min.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–40 min
JR Tohoku Main Line or Abukuma Express, about 20 min
Castle ruins, sake breweries, and the Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art.
Door to door: 2 h
JR Ban'etsu West Line from Fukushima, about 1.5 h
Samurai history, Tsuruga Castle, and sake.
Door to door: 2 h
JR Joban Line from Fukushima, about 1.5 h
Aquamarine Fukushima and coastal scenery; a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Fukushima City
20 min south by train; more hotels and restaurants. Use as a base for a day trip.
Date city centre
A few minshuku and small hotels; limited options. Check availability before planning a stay.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–15,000 (≈ US$55–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room in Fukushima City1 × 1 night × ¥12,000 | ¥12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| JR Tohoku Main Line Fukushima–Hobara, one way2 × ¥500 · check | ¥1,000 |
| Taxi Hobara station to Ryozen Shrine, one way1 × ¥2,500 · check | ¥2,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,550 |
| Trip total≈ ¥19,530 per person per day, bed included | ¥39,050≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Ramen or soba | ¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer (can at konbini) | ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi 5 kmcheck | ¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17) |
| Bus ride within Datecheck | ¥200–400 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ryozen Shrine involves a steep climb up Mount Ryozen; wear sturdy shoes.
- Dried persimmon season is autumn to early winter; outside that, the speciality is harder to find.
- The official tourist site is Japanese-only; some download materials are in English (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Date伊達
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Sendai; most other countries: embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fukushima → Hobara, JR: about ¥500 (≈ US$4), 20 min (check)
- Taxi Hobara → Ryozen Shrine: ¥2,500–3,000 (≈ US$17–25) (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとう — Thank you (arigatō)
- 霊山神社はどこですか？ — Where is Ryozen Shrine? (ryōzen jinja wa doko desu ka)
- これはいくらですか？ — How much is this? (kore wa ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Date. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, snow possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ryozen Shrine page with climb time and opening hours (check).
- Dried persimmon tasting and buying locations (check).
- Date Clan historical walk in Takako (check).
Sources
Ask about Date
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