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Cycling in Kitakata City

Cycling in Kitakata City

1. Renting a Bicycle in Kitakata City

Kitakata is a small city full of hidden gems and local secrets! Wandering the streets of the city you will discover traces of the city’s history as a Japanese warehouse or “Kura” town. You will see many unique and distinctive buildings around town. These unique gems are dotted around a large area that is difficult to fully experience in a day on foot or by car, so I highly recommend renting a bike to get the most out of your trip!

Option 1: Garden Hotel Kitakata

This is a hotel that offers bicycle rentals to guests for free and non-guests for a small fee, the hotel is a short walk from Kitakata Station. A typical bike rental will cost 1000 yen, while an electric assist bike will run you 1500 yen. There are 3 electric assist bikes and 5 regular bikes. During the spring season, bicycle reservations are not accepted in order to give hotel guests priority, however, the bikes are first come first serve, so arriving early in the morning will give you a better chance of securing a bicycle. Staying the night here is another great way to help you secure your chances of renting a bike.If you are arriving by car, the hotel has a free parking lot for guests, so, if there is space available, bicycle renters can request permission to park here.

 

 

Option 2: Akutagawa

This is a small local business/gift shop that also rents out bicycles. Located immediately in front of Kitakata Station, this a very convenient place to rent. There are only “mamachari” style bicycles (no electric assist bicycles) and the number of bikes is roughly seven, however the cost of daily rental is only 500 yen making it a great deal. Reservations are accepted over the phone in any bicycle friendly season, however staff only speak Japanese so it may be a good idea to ask for help from a Japanese speaker when making a reservation.

 

 

2. Cycling the Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms path

The Nicchu Line is a gorgeous 3km long stretch of path that is lined with weeping cherry blossoms. Roundtrip, the journey can be as long as 6km! So, most people only manage to see half of the cherry blossoms before they turn around, or exhaust themselves from walking. However, if you are cycling you will be able to maintain your energy so can enjoy a full day in Kitakata and see all that the city has to offer!!

Cycling through the trees, you will need to watch out for low hanging branches and also pedestrians. The middle kilometer or the trail tends to be really crowded with people taking photos, Fortunately, there are parallel streets so that if you want to go fast you can and enjoy the cherry blossoms while you zoom by the crowds to stop at your favorite trees.

The first and third kilometers are much less crowded so you should be able to cycle between the trees without worrying about a crowd.

Click here for more information about the Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms. ( https://fukushima.travel/destination/nicchu-line-weeping-cherry-blossom/51 )

 

 

3. Grab a snack from a street vendor

As you zoom along the trail you are sure to notice various street vendors. Food trucks, local famers’ stalls, festival style food, and more! At one point of the trail I even spotted an older couple who had a long extension cord coming from their garage so that they could sell cold drinks from their fridge to people on the street. We love to see the hustle! But seriously, I hope that you will check out some of these little street vendors and chat with the local people.

I stopped at an asparagus farmers stall and bought some of her locally grow asparagus to take home and cook. They were SO delicious. Then I stopped at another stall to buy some sakura flavored “Karintou” snacks. Also, delicious! Finally, my coworker and I spotted a place with mini daifuku (rice cakes) and tea, so we stopped to sit and drink some tea have a sweet snack and people watch in front of the cherry blossoms. Although a quick snack will help you find the energy to cycle up and back the entire path, make sure you take the time to enjoy a proper lunch!

 

 

4. Kitakata Ramen for Lunch

We chose to try the local specialty, Kitakata Ramen! One of the top three ramen varieties of Japan, you can hardly say you’ve been to Kitakata City if you haven’t tried a delicious bowl of Kitakata Ramen!

We went to Bannai Shokudo and had zero regrets! The ramen here is absolutely delicious, however sometimes there can be long lines. So I would also recommend Shokudo Hasegawa (https://fukushima.travel/destination/shokudo-hasegawa/286 ), or discover your own hole in the wall ramen restaurant.

Although this is a relatively small city, there are over 100 ramen shops, this is a town that takes ramen seriously. If you choose to stay the night, I recommend trying the local culture of “Asa-Ra” which involves eating ramen for breakfast!

 

 

5. Makie Painting at the Kinomoto Lacquerware Store

After filling up on a big bowl of ramen, I recommend relaxing with a calming indoor activity such as trying your hand at a makie painting experience at the Kinomoto Lacquerware Store. The Kinomoto Lacquerware Store is full of various pieces of lacquerware that are beautiful and long lasting. The tradition of makie painted lacquerware in Kitakata City has a rich history that goes back some 400 years! To draw attention to this local art form, the shop began offering painting experiences, so visitors can experience this beautiful and relaxing art form by painting designs and then dusting pigments onto the pieces. This is a fun activity and a great souvenir from your trip to Kitakata City.

After you finish your masterpiece, I highly recommend taking a look at the “Cats School” diorama upstairs which features lots of cute animal figures (mostly cats!) that are handmade from Paulownia wood and posed doing various cute things. The figures recreate nostalgic scenes of Japanese school life in a large model of a traditional Japanese school. The details are incredible and you can spend a good bit of time taking in each scene of little cat dolls enjoying a day at school. There is even a festival scene that is very cute! Photography is prohibited, so you have to see it to believe it. The display is free to see, so I highly recommend checking it out if you are nearby.

 

 

6. Okuya Peanut Factory for desert

After trying your hand at painting, you may want something sweet, conveniently located just across the street from Kinomoto is the Okuya Peanut Factory. The shop makes a variety of sweets using Aizu-grown peanuts, my favorite is the peanut soft serve icecream. The chocolate covered version was absolutely fantastic, but of course, you can also get it without the chocolate topping in either a cup or a cone. I highly recommend visiting here if you’re craving a sweet treat!

Click here for more information about the Okuya Peanut Factory. (https://fukushima.travel/destination/okuya-peanut-factory/287 )

 

 

Cycling around Kitakata city was so much fun! This is a pretty jam packed adventure day, but I hope this will inspire you to take a trip to Kitakata City and try exploring this unique city by bike!

Thank you for reading, please contact us through our social media accounts or website if you have any questions while planning your next trip.

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    Top 10 Things to Do in Fukushima Prefecture

    Welcome to Fukushima! As the third-largest prefecture in Japan, split into three distinct regions, there is no shortage of interesting options to make your trip worthwhile.In this article, we’ll break down the most popular spots, and give our recommendations for the absolute best of the best Fukushima has to offer.Follow us on Instagram for the latest information.1. Tsurugajo Castle, Aizu-Wakamatsu CityFormerly the site of one of the last great battles of the samurai era, the red-tiled fortress of Tsurugajo Castle was the centre of power for the Aizu Domain, a great clan of warriors who ruled this part of Japan until 1868.Though the main keep has undergone several rebuilds and refurbishments over the years, its signature reddish roof tiles are unique among Japanese castles. The interior houses a museum teaching visitors about the Aizu clan, with displays in Japanese and English, while the top floor offers wide-ranging views over the surrounding city.The castle grounds are also a busy spot in spring, when dozens of cherry trees bloom at once, and again in autumn, when trees of red and gold are illuminated in the evening.Nearby, the Tsurugajo Kaikan visitors’ center provides outstanding shopping options, including local snacks, gifts and sake, as well as kimono rental services. Visitors can also paint an akabeko here, one of the Aizu region’s most beloved toys, and an unofficial mascot of the area.2. Ouchi-juku, Shimogo TownSamurai travelling between Tsurugajo Castle and the historical capital of Edo (Tokyo) often stopped here at Ouchi-juku to rest and recover. The traditional thatched-roof village, located in Shimogo Town, is popular year-round for its tranquil atmosphere. The rows of houses, meanwhile, have been well-preserved for hundreds of years – many are restaurants serving local specialties, or stalls selling folk art or snacks.Although there is something unique about the village in any season, the area is at its busiest in winter, when the thatched roofs are laden with snow and snow sculpture lanterns light the paths. This is also the time of the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival, a major event in February featuring dancing, community games and a flaming torch parade.3. Goshikinuma Ponds, Kitashiobara VillageFormed in 1888 by the steam explosion of nearby Mt. Bandai, ‘Goshikinuma’ refers to the many volcanic ponds that can be found in Urabandai, an area of astonishing natural beauty. The colours of the water are known to differ even from day to day; a vibrant blue on Monday may have shifted to a brilliant emerald green by Tuesday.Perhaps most-visited is Bishamon-numa (pictured above), a good starting point known for its gorgeous red-leaved foliage in autumn. Visitors can take a gentle hike around the water’s edge, see koi fish, and take a rowboat ride on the water in small groups.4. Lake InawashiroAs Japan’s fourth-largest lake, Inawashiro is so massive it can be seen from space. In summer the great lake is used for water sports like wakeboarding, while in winter it’s common to see flocks of migrating swans at the water’s edge. Since three of Fukushima’s main ski resorts are based nearby – more on that below – a trip here combines well with a ski holiday, or with a visit to the Goshikinuma Ponds in autumn.The lake and its nearby mountain scenery can be seen by a nautical sightseeing tour, with two large boats – one swan and one turtle – leaving from the north dock multiple times a day. There are several campgrounds on all sides of the lake, and even a Finnish-style lakeside sauna that can be rented for those brave enough to dip in the water in winter.5. Ride the Tadami LineOne of Japan’s most scenic train lines, the Tadami Line takes passengers west from Aizu-Wakamatsu City all the way through the stunning Oku-Aizu region, and eventually into Niigata Prefecture.This is perhaps the best way to get to Yanaizu, a historic little town famous for its akabeko character and the majestic Enzoji Temple. It also features one of the four Chansey Parks, based around Fukushima’s official support Pokemon.Not only does the railway stop at several scenic areas, but the train itself is also the subject of breathtaking photos from the viewpoints at Mishima (Tadami River Bridge No.1, pictured above) and Kaneyama (Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba).This is also how many visitors choose to get to the ethereal Mugenkyo ferry crossing, within walkable distance of Hayato Station on this line.Find out more about the Tadami Line here.6. Learn about Fukushima’s disaster recoveryFukushima’s east coast was severely affected by the ‘triple disaster’ in March 2011 – earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. This led to many people having to evacuate their homes, some for several years. Even now, nearly fifteen years later, revitalisation efforts are ongoing in many places with the support of proud, warm-hearted communities who are keen to welcome new guests.If you’re looking to learn more about the 2011 disaster and support the region’s recovery, many visitors choose to visit the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum in Futaba. This modern museum, completed in 2020, tells the story of Fukushima residents before, during and after the disaster, as well as exploring the ways modern technology can aid in disaster relief.Read our example itinerary here, and learn more about safety in Fukushima here.7. Go to a festivalTiming your visit to coincide with a festival is a surefire way to ensure a lasting memory of your time in Japan. Most towns in Japan have at least one yearly festival, often in summer, but there are also bigger festivals themed around certain historical events. In almost every case, festivals are a good place to hang out with friends and eat street food, while many have a cultural showcase of some kind or a fireworks display.(From left to right: Iizaka Fighting Festival, Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival, Taimatsu Akashi Torch Festival)If you’re looking to visit one of Fukushima’s biggest festivals, here are perhaps the most famous: Soma Nomaoi (May): horse racing in samurai armour Aizu Festival (September): samurai in full regalia parade through the streets (and you can join!) Iizaka Fighting Festival (October): massive floats crash into one another in an onsen town Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival (October): a parade of beautiful floats covered in lanterns Taimatsu Akashi Torch Festival (November): 20 huge torches are lit ablaze and burn through the nightReaching the top of Mt. Issaikyo rewards climbers with stellar views8. Experience incredible natureSince Fukushima is so massive, it’s easy to find somewhere to get away from the crowds of bigger cities and enjoy your trip at a slower pace in the countryside. Depending on the season, there’s always a spectacular photo spot worth visiting. For example:Cherry blossoms Fukushima’s sheer size means it experiences several cherry blossom seasons, separated by region. It usually starts with Iwaki City in the south-east in early April and ends in the mountainous west of Tadami as late as mid-May.The most popular spots include Hanamiyama, a valley that turns a vibrant pink and yellow, and Miharu Takizakura, a gigantic single cherry blossom tree over 1,000 years old.Check our dedicated cherry blossom guide, or our Google Maps list for more.Autumn coloursWith multiple locales that rank at the top of Tohoku’s best foliage lists, autumn is an excellent time to visit Fukushima. Most leaves are at their best in late October into early or mid November, depending on the region.The Goshikinuma Ponds are possibly the most striking autumn scenery, and some people even plan their whole trip around getting autumn photos here.Elsewhere, several shrines are well-known for their vibrant colours, such as Hanitsu Shrine in Inawashiro with its picturesque vista of red leaves, or the massive yellow gingko tree at Shingu Kumano Shrine in Kitakata.See our Google Maps list for more options.HikingAs a mountainous region, the central plinth of Fukushima offers several excellent hiking options for all levels. Day-trippers looking to stretch their legs will enjoy Mt. Azuma-Kofuji, a 45-minute walk around a crater offering splendid views over Fukushima City on a clear day, while peaks like Mt. Adatara or Mt. Issaikyo provide more of a robust challenge to intermediate climbers.Those looking for a change of pace may be interested in the Extreme Onsen challenge, where a tour guide escorts you up the volcanic back trails of Mt. Adatara to bathe in a real hot spring river. (Changing facilities are provided and a swimsuit is required.)9. SkiingThere are around 20 ski resorts in Fukushima Prefecture, ranging from small regional resorts to huge super-resorts with multiple courses for all levels. The quality of snow and variety of courses is comparable to other major resorts around Japan, but lift pass fees are typically lower and queues for lifts are typically shorter.Three of the biggest resorts are based in the Inawashiro region around Mt. Bandai: Nekoma Mountain, previously two resorts merged into one massive ski complex EN Resorts Grandeco, famous for its hotel where guests can ski directly to the first gondola lift Inawashiro Ski Resort, a large resort which offers free lift passes on weekdays.See our ski guide for more about these resorts.10. CuisineJapan’s fantastic food culture is one of the best reasons to visit Japan, and Fukushima is no different. You’ll find something delicious no matter where you visit in the prefecture.Regional specialties include: Ramen, especially ‘ramen heartland’ Kitakata City with its over 100 restaurants Sauce katsudon, breaded pork and sauce over rice in the Aizu region Enban gyoza, dumplings served direct from a circular pan to provide extra crispinessThe Fukushima Fruit Line, in the northwest of Fukushima City, is a row of over 20 orchards, many of which offer all-you-can-eat fruit picking experiences year-round. Long picking seasons ensure there is always something to pick whenever you visit – although peaches are most popular in July and August.Fukushima’s sake reputation is also stellar, with its products routinely receiving gold standard certifications at Japan’s major sake awards. There are several places to take a tour of a brewery and sample the local products, such as Yamatogawa, Homare or Suehiro.Looking for more information? Check out our: Access guide for getting to Fukushima Itineraries page for trip ideas Activities page for tour experiences with English support

    Top 10 Things to Do in Fukushima Prefecture
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    Michi-no-eki: 6 Roadside Stations to Visit in Fukushima Prefecture

    The Japanese roadside station or ‘michi-no-eki’ is something of an institution among Japan road-trippers, thanks to their ubiquitous nature, local charms and great food. There’s nothing like seeing a michi-no-eki appear during a long trip when you need one most, and they’re helpfully dotted all over Japan’s expansive road network.Compared to roadside services in other countries, some consider Japanese michi-no-eki as destinations worth travelling to for their attractions alone, not only as a rest stop on a longer journey. You’ll often see them full with not only travellers, but local people looking for fresh goods made by the region’s craftspeople.Though michi-no-eki vary in shape, size and services available, all have restrooms, plus some kind of restaurant or canteen, shopping options, and information about the surrounding area. In most places you can also expect an ATM, free internet, vending machines and options for charging portable devices.Since arriving in Fukushima, I’ve had the chance to visit about half of all michi-no-eki across the prefecture, and I’m here to bring you my top suggestions so far (with a few recommendations for fun places to visit nearby).Road Station Yotsukura Harbor, Iwaki CityNearby tourist spots: the floating shrine at Bentenjima, Aquamarine Fukushima aquariumBased in Iwaki in the south-east of the prefecture, this seaside road station is a perfect stop for travellers exploring the east coast. It has a beautiful wood-panelled canteen with a great selection of local cuisines, part of which looks out over the palm trees on the green out front, and there’s even outdoor seating on the deck.Yotsukura also offers a rare tomato-flavoured ice cream, in addition to a more traditional vanilla and a mixture of the two, which is perfect for a summer day. The seafront is roughly a hundred yards from the ice cream shop.Roadside Station Madeikan, Iitate VillageNearby tourist spots: Yamatsumi shrine, or heading east to Minamisoma for Soma NomaoiNestled in the woodland region between Fukushima City and the east coast, Iitate is a quaint village known for its greenery and abundance of smaller shrines. In summer it’s popular for visitors seeing its great sunflower patches, while this roadside station holds night-time illuminations in winter.In addition to a food court and a large shop selling local produce, there’s also a great souvenir shop selling arts and crafts. There’s even a few crane games!Aizu Yanaizu Roadside Station / HOTNearby tourist spots: Enzoji Temple, Chansey’s Lucky Park, January 7th Naked Shrine VisitYanaizu is a multi-faceted town despite its smaller size – the beautiful architecture at Enzoji Temple is the locale for the yearly ‘naked shrine visit’ on 7 January, as well as being the birthplace of the ‘akabeko’ red cow legend.The roadside station here features one of Fukushima’s four Chansey Parks, hailing the prefecture’s support Pokemon, with a public footpath nearby for anyone to use. The interior has an excellent canteen – the sauce katsudon, with deep-fried pork on rice, is amazing – and you can paint an akabeko in its ‘experience area’.Unsurprisingly, given the area's history, the shop is full of akabeko merchandise, and there’s even a few of the bigger cows hanging out nearby.Ozekaido Mishima Juku Roadside StationNearby tourist spots: Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint, Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba (train viewpoint)Located just down the road from Yanaizu, this is a great option if you’re looking to combine some of the region’s best sights. The roadside station in Mishima doubles as the parking area for the Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint, where the Tadami Line train crosses one of Japan’s most scenic bridges.The interior is also quite charming, featuring local products (including wicker crafts, a staple of the area) and a canteen serving hot food.Michi-no-eki Inawashiro Roadside StationNearby tourist spots: Fukushima’s big three ski resorts, Lake Inawashiro, Goshikinuma PondsA natural stopping point in any season, Inawashiro’s roadside station gets busy on the weekends for its prime location between some of Fukushima’s most popular natural spots. Lake Inawashiro, to the south, is one of Japan’s largest lakes, and can be traversed by sightseeing boat, while the Goshikinuma Ponds to the north are particularly gorgeous in autumn.The canteen here is some of the best food I've ever had while travelling across Japan:Inawashiro is also a good place to take a break if you’re heading to one of the big ski resorts nearby, among them Inawashiro (free on weekdays!), Grandeco or Nekoma Mountain.Roadside Station FukushimaNearby tourist spots: Mt. Azuma-Kofuji, Fukushima Fruit Line, Bandai-Azuma Skyline sightseeing roadPossibly the easiest michi-no-eki to visit from Fukushima City, this roadside station feels spacious and airy thanks to its beautiful wooden design.In addition to local rice, fruits and vegetables, there is a bakery area, plus a food court with a variety of options including ramen and curry. The nearby sweets shop serves ice cream in a bunny design, in homage to the giant ‘snow rabbit’ that forms as snow melts on Mt. Azuma-Kofuji every year.In fact, the whole michi-no-eki is themed after the rabbit, which also inspired one of Fukushima City’s mascots, Momorin. (seen here outside Fukushima Station!)Every michi-no-eki in one placeLooking for more options? We put almost every michi-no-eki into this Google Maps list:

    Michi-no-eki: 6 Roadside Stations to Visit in Fukushima Prefecture
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    Fukushima’s Big Three Ski Resorts - And How to Get There

    If you’ve ever been to Japan’s most famous ski resorts like Hakuba, you know Japan’s glowing reputation as a ski haven is well-founded.But what if I told you you can get: Better powder Better views Cheaper lift pass and rental prices Less crowded slopesAnd all in a shorter travel time from Tokyo?In my six years living in Japan, I’ve travelled to over ten ski resorts, including several weekends at Hakuba – it’s where I first learned to ski!But the more ski resorts I visited, the more I fell in love with the lesser-known places – you typically get a better deal on lift tickets, but without the runs clogged with people. Especially as a beginner turning the corner to intermediate level, having slopes almost all to myself felt like I was free to make mistakes without accidentally barrelling into someone.As of 2025, there are 16 (sixteen!) ski resorts in Fukushima Prefecture, largely located in the western mountainous regions which see heavy snowfall every year. But just because these are lesser-known resorts doesn’t mean they’re ‘small’ – in fact, some of the resorts on this list rival the largest resorts in the country in size.EN Resorts GrandecoGrandeco offers some of the best scenery I’ve witnessed at any ski resort in Japan, with panoramic views across Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro on a clear day. The variety of courses is excellent, with a mogul course, plus rails and jumps for snowboarders, and most of the mountain can be traversed following a single gondola ride.But Grandeco’s biggest strength lies at the foot of the slope, where the modern Grandeco Hotel feeds directly on to the ski resort. Guests can take their ski and snowboard gear from lockers listed with their room number, step out on to the snow, strap in and ski directly down to the gondola platform. When done with their day of skiing, guests cut through a gentle slope to return to the hotel. This convenient ‘ski in, ski out’ model is a game changer for many visitors.Level:Although an excellent choice for beginners thanks to its long and forgiving runs – one of which is four kilometres long! – Grandeco also features several tougher courses. Most popular among pros is the hidden ‘Powder’ course, which lives up to its name with thick powdery snow untouched by 95% of visitors. Those hunting the deepest snow must first traverse the narrow ‘Road to Powder’ forest path at the top of the mountain.Facilities: There is a large canteen serving all kinds of Japanese and Western fare at the bottom of the hill, plus a Baskin Robbins ice cream shop on site! There’s also a restaurant near the gondola drop-off station further up the slopes, where stonebaked pizzas are cooked from scratch. There is a rental shop inside the hotel, as well as at the ski centre by the gondola. Ski lessons are available, with English support on request. Parking is widely available and free.Access (Public Transport): From Koriyama Station, take a Ban’etsu West Line train to Inawashiro Station (about 40mins), where there is a free shuttle bus service to the resort (also about 40mins). All shuttle bus services in this article contain space for skis, snowboards and luggage. Equally there is a paid shuttle bus (approx. 2hrs) from Koriyama Station to the resort in winter, requiring an advance booking.For more details, see the resort’s English website.Courses at Grandeco can stay open as late as mid-April.Hoshino Resorts' Nekoma MountainPreviously two resorts, the merger of Hoshino Resorts Nekoma with Hoshino Resorts Alts-Bandai created one of Japan’s largest ski resorts, with the north and south side of Mt. Bandai now accessible on a single lift pass. Visitors can travel between the two on a scenic chair lift, meaning you can get gorgeous views over Lake Inawashiro on the south side in the morning, then ski the powdery snow of the sun-sheltered north side in the afternoon.Level:The south side is more beginner-friendly for its abundance of wide gentle slopes, with some narrower areas. The north side is a mixture of beginner and intermediate courses, although both areas are suitable for beginners while featuring some black courses for experts.Facilities: There are restaurants with large seating areas at the ski centres of both north and south areas, plus a charming café / restaurant called The Rider’s which sits halfway down the southern slopes, offering artisanal burgers. The base camps both north and south offer multiple rental shops and a variety of food options. Cashless payments are accepted throughout the resort, except for parking areas. Night skiing is available on the south side. Ski lessons are offered on both the north and south side, with English available upon request.Parking: North: 1,000 yen on weekends, holidays and New Year. Free on weekdays or for season ticket holders. South: Parking at the closest parking area (‘South A’) is charged on weekends, holidays and New Year, otherwise free. Parking areas B to D are always free.Access (Shuttle Bus): North: A free shuttle bus leaves from most major Urabandai hotels, including Grandeco, MERCURE Urabandai, Urabandai Kogen Hotel and Urabandai Lake Resort. No reservation required. South: From Bandaimachi Station, 15min shuttle bus, free of charge, reservation required. From Koriyama Station, 85min shuttle bus, 1,000 yen, reservation required. From Aizuwakamatsu Station, 45min shuttle bus, 1,000 yen, no reservation needed. For more details about timetables and reservation procedures, please check the official Nekoma website.Inawashiro Ski ResortMy favourite resort I’ve been to in Japan for its cost-effectiveness, Inawashiro is famous locally for its pricing campaign, in which lift passes are free on weekdays. Weekend prices are always half-price, too, making it a discounted 2,800 yen for adults and 1,400 for children of elementary school age. Even at full price, the resort is terrific, boasting a variety of courses, great views and empty runs, but for free, it’s incredible value for money. Although you have to join the resort’s member program, it’s free to join, takes ten minutes and I was relieved not to receive any newsletters to my email.The base camps at Inawashiro are split into three areas, each with expansive parking and served by a circular shuttle bus. Inawashiro Kanko Hotel and Hotel Villa Inawashiro are also located within the grounds.Level:The variety at Inawashiro is good, boasting 18 courses – only three of these are advanced level, albeit one of these is the All-Japan Ski Competition mogul course used in international competitions. Otherwise, the resort is a haven for beginner or intermediate skiers and snowboarders, since several slopes are extremely wide and gentle. If I was looking to start skiing tomorrow, Inawashiro would be my pick for a safe place to repeatedly fall over.Facilities: Each of the three base camps has rental facilities and canteen-style restaurants, where customers order from a ticket machine. There is a kids’ park and snow park close to the main slope at Center House Bandai. There are yakiniku (barbeque) restaurants in two mid-slope locations: Mt. Bandaisan Terrace in the western Sky Area, and Hyobaku Terrace in the eastern Minero area. This is a great place for customers to scorch meat at their own table while taking a break to warm themselves up. This is a popular ski resort for school trips and ski classes due to its forgiving slopes. Lessons are available in English or Japanese – in fact, the resort offers English ski classes as a pathway to English conversation practice for local students. (I watched a group of about twenty students pelting a ski instructor with snowballs at the end of one class.) Night skiing is available until ten o’clock, but requires a paid ticket from 4.30pm.Access (Shuttle Bus):Inawashiro Ski Resort runs free shuttle buses from various areas in the prefecture. These are usually limited to once a day and a return journey, and reservations are required. Bandai Atami Onsen to the resort in approx. 45 minutes. Numajiri / Nakanosawa Onsen to the resort in approx. 30 minutes. Koriyama Station to the resort in approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes. Fukushima Station to the resort in approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes (weekends and national holidays only). Iwaki Station to the resort in approx. 1 hour and 50 minutes (weekends and national holidays only).There are also multiple free shuttle bus departures daily from Inawashiro Station to the resort, taking about 20mins with no reservation required. For more details about bus stops, timetables and booking procedures, please visit the Inawashiro Ski Resort website.Impeccable groomed runs at Fairyland in KaneyamaOther Ski Resorts to ConsiderLooking to cast the net a little wider and explore Fukushima's deep snow country? Here are some options from across the prefecture:SannokuraUrabandai / Inawashiro Area: Adatara Kogen Ski Resort Listel Ski Fantasia Nihonmatsu Shiozawa Numajiri Ski Resort Sannokura Urabandai Ski ResortTadami Ski ResortTadami Area: Fairyland Kaneyama Tadami Ski ResortMinami-Aizu Area Aizu Kogen Nango Aizu Kogen Daikura Aizu Kogen Takatsue Aizu Kogen Takahata Oze Hinoemata OnsenGoogle Maps list of every resort:

    Fukushima’s Big Three Ski Resorts - And How to Get There
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