Welcome to Tamura, Japan

 Tamura City is a rural city in Fukushima-ken, a prefecture in the northeastern part of Japan, about 200 miles north of Tokyo. The nearest major metropolitan area is Koriyama. 

Fukushima became known to the world following the tsunami of March 11, 2011.  Because of its location, Tamura became a city of refuge for many people who were displaced from their homes during the tragedy.  Tamura is surrounded by mountains and is on a flat bed of rock, which protected it from the most serious effects of the earthquake.  Many of our teachers have joined our program since the disaster hit Japan, realizing that there is greater openness in Japanese people’s minds and a need for hope and meaning following the national crisis.

As of October 21, 2001, Mansfield, Ohio became a sister city of Tamura and have participated in student exchanges.

The surrounding hills and mountains around Tamura offer a very untouched, natural view of rural Japan.  Much of the land is used for farming, which is a major industry in the area. Fukushima is known for its peaches, in particular.

Other points of interest in Tamura include, Abukuma Cave, Hoshinomura Observatory, Isozaki Shrine, and the beautiful cherry trees along the Ohtakine River which create a tunnel of cherry blossoms in springtime.​

Tamura experiences all four seasons.  Spring and fall offer some of the best times for beautiful scenery, with cherry blossoms in the spring, and striking foliage in the fall.  Summer is hot and muggy, with a rainy season in June and July. Winter can be quite cold, but regular snowfall also means that the scenery can get considerably picturesque.

What current teachers are saying.