Bandai

Bandai (磐梯) is a region located in the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, known for its stunning natural beauty, including the majestic Mount Bandai, an active volcano that is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

Mount Bandai offers visitors a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking and nature viewing. The mountain is surrounded by beautiful forests, lakes, and rivers, making it a great place for nature lovers to explore.

Another popular attraction in Bandai is the Goshiki-numa (五色沼) and other volcanic crater lakes, known for their vivid colors, ranging from emerald green to bright blue. Visitors can hike around the lakes and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Bandai is also home to numerous hot springs, or onsen, scattered throughout the region. Many of these hot springs are located in traditional Japanese inns, or ryokans, which offer visitors the chance to relax and soak in the natural hot springs while enjoying traditional Japanese cuisine and hospitality.

In addition to its natural attractions, Bandai also has several ski resorts in the Urabandai area, making it a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months. Other attractions in the region include the Mount Bandai Eruption Memorial Museum, the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum, and Lake Hibara.

Attractions in Bandai

Urabandai Urabandai (裏磐梯), a breathtaking highland area situated on the northern slopes of Mount Bandai in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, is a haven for nature enthus...

Mount Bandai Aizu Bandai-san (会津磐梯山), also known as Mount Bandai or Bandai-san, is an active stratovolcano located in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan....

Getting there

By Shinkansen

1. Take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station (about 80 minutes)
2. From Koriyama, take the JR Ban-etsu West Line to Inawashiro Station (about 40 minutes)
3. From Inawashiro Station, take a bus to the Urabandai area

• Total travel time: About 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cost: About 9,000 yen one way
• Can be used with JR Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass, or JR East South Hokkaido Pass

By Car

• From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Expressway and Ban-etsu Expressway
• Exit at Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC or Bandai Kawahigashi IC
• Travel time: About 3 hours
• Toll fees: About 7,000 yen one way

By Bus

• Highway buses available from Tokyo to Fukushima City (5-6 hours, 3,000-6,000 yen)
• Some buses stop at Koriyama (4-5 hours, about 4,000 yen)