The untouched nature of Fukushima’s Urabandai region gives you the chance to see the genuine beauty of the landscape. A visit to Urabandai lets you explore the wondrous environment at your pace under the watchful Mount Bandai.
Natural Beauty of Urabandai
Urabandai was created in 1888 when the surrounding Mount Bandai volcano erupted. Much like Mount Fuji, this erupted completely altered the area with brands new lakes and created lavish nature views. The area is part of the Bandai Asahi National Park, which became nationally recognized in 1950.
Numerous in the area are walking trials and beautiful views. The most popular walking trail is the Five Colored Pond Walk, a flat walking track that takes you past many of the numerous ponds, lakes and forests. This walking trail takes upwards of an hour to complete and it’s well worth it for the stunning views.
The best time to visit the park is during autumn. The walking trials swap out their lush green look and put on a colored red coat as the season change from hot to cold. Looking at the colored trees on the bank of clear blue lakes is truly one of the most breathtaking natural experiences you’ll have in Japan.
Stay at the Urabandai Lake Resort
On the banks of Lake Hibara is the Urabandai Lake Resort. Located in a tiny population center, hidden away by the nature of the area, the Urabandai Lake Resort offers guests the chance to escape to the Japanese highlands.
The Lake Resort has Japanese-style and French-style restaurants and an open buffet style available to guests of the resorts. Rooms come equipped with the latest technology, like Wi-Fi and a Full HD television, and comfortable amenities to make your stay close to the lake as special as possible.
To get to Urabandai Lake Resort, you can either take the free shuttle bus service or drive there. Public transport isn’t common in the area, so the resort set up a free shuttle service to and from Inawashiro Station and various other ski areas.
Urabandai Nekoma Hotel Fukushima
Urabandai Lake Resort is also known as Urabandai Nekoma Hotel Fukushima. For entertainment, the resort has on-site karaoke with all the latest Japanese and worldwide songs, a games area with table tennis, billiards and darts, and art gallery installations with exhibits based on the Bandai Asahi National Park area.
Spot information
- Spot name: Urabandai Lake Resort
- Street address: 1171-1 Yudairayama, Hibara, Kitashiobara, Fukushima 969-2701
- Access: A free shuttle bus service to and from Inawashiro Station is provided
Urabandai Royal Hotel
For an alternate place to stay in the region, the Urabandai Royal Hotel is situated inside the Bandai Highlands. The Royal Hotel was recently brought into the Active Resorts chain and renamed Active Resorts Urabandai. This has led to an upgrade in amenities on offer at this resort.
The most striking feature of the hotel is the closeness to the Five Colored Pond Walk trail, only being an 8-minute walk away. Check in for the resort starts at 3:00 PM, with check out being at 10:00 AM.
Spot information
- Spot name: Active Resorts Urabandai (formally Urabandai Royal Hotel)
- Street address: 1093-309 Aza-Kengamine, Oaza-Hibara, Kitashiobara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima 969-2701
- Access: A free shuttle bus service to and from Inawashiro Station is provided
Hoshino Resort Urabandai Hotel
Urabandai Lake Resort used to be known as the Hoshino Resort Urabandai Hotel before it changed hands. Because of this, the resort has many of the facilities that Hoshino Resorts are known for, including a beautiful hot springs area with water from the active volcano region and a spa treatment center to help rejuvenate you.
If you’re staying in the area, the Urabandai Lake Resort has everything you need to have a comfortable, welcoming stay in the heart of Japan’s natural wilderness.
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