Urabandai Onsen

Urabandai Onsen

A hot spring region in the Urabandai area where you can intimately feel the changing of the four seasons. There are many outdoor baths and onsens with spectacular views, allowing you to wash away the fatigue of daily life and be healed amidst abundant nature.
From the outdoor bath at the Grandeco Resort, you can enjoy a garden of verdant green in the summer, and a pristine landscape of snow in the winter, along with a clear, star-filled night sky.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://www.urabandai-inf.com/en/?page_id=203
Contact

Urabandai Tourism Association

(+81)-241-32-2349

https://www.urabandai-inf.com/en/?page_id=493

Best SeasonAll Year
Related infoCheck out the website link for information about the different hot spring baths at ryokan and hotel in Urabandai area
Access Details
Access1093 Hibara Kengamine, Kitashiobara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima Pref. 966-0501
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 20 min from the Inawashiro-Bandaikogen I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway

Related trips

  1. Driving

    Ultimate Fukushima Prefecture Road Trip

    This trip highlights some of the best Fukushima has to offer and is perfect for those looking to get the most out of the prefecture in a limited time. Take in castles, nature, traditional villages, and more as you treat yourself to local styles of soba and ramen along the way. Renting a car is a must if you want to hit all the spots on this tour. You can take it slow and complete this trip over three days, or skip out an overnight stay in Urabandai area, and do it in two days. Start the day from Fukushima Station with a scenic drive to the the beautiful Urabandai region. We recommend taking the Bandai-Azuma Skyline road so that you can enjoy a mountain drive and check out the great sights at Mt. Azuma-Kofuji. From there, take the stunning sightseeing road Azuma-Bandai Lake Line into Urabandai. Explore the Urabandai area, have lunch, go on a walk around the five-colored ponds of Goshiki-numa, and maybe even take a dip in a hot spring or two. Choose whether take it slow and stay the night in Urabandai area, or whether to press on to Aizu-Wakamatsu City.  Later that day - or the next morning, depending on your schedule - head into the castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu City where samurai culture is prevalent. The majestic Tsurugajo Castle offers beautiful views of the surroundings from the keep. Check out the nearby Tsurugajo Kaikan to paint an akabeko or two and maybe have some lunch. Then explore the mysterious Sazaedo Temple and the surrounding Mt. Iimoriyama area. From here, we suggest staying overnight in the city. There are plenty of budget hotels in Aizu-Wakamatsu, but if you are looking for something traditionally Japanese, we recommend looking into lodging at the nearby Higashiyama Onsen hot springs town just east of the city. On the next day prepare to jump into the past with a trip to the Ouchi-juku mountain village. You can spend hours here shopping and eating local foods while walking up and down the street lined with traditional thatched-roof houses. Lastly, head to the To-no-Hetsuri Crags, a natural monument filled with towering cliffs overlooking the Okawa River. Cross the nearby suspension bridge which offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. After getting fully refreshed head back to Shin-Shirakawa station by car, drop off your rental car, and connect back to Tokyo or the next stop on your journey!

    Ultimate Fukushima Prefecture Road Trip

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
Historical Sites

Yunokami Onsen Station

Yunokami Onsen Station is one of only 2 train stations with a thatched roof in Japan. The station is known for its great location as a cherry blossom viewing spot with a unique atmosphere. There is an irori (sunken fireplace) where tourists can warm themselves up in winter, and a foot bath sourced from natural hot spring water just next to the station. Yunokami Onsen town is a popular place to stay the night for those visiting destinations such as Ouchi-juku and To-no-hetsuri are located in the same area.

The World Glassware Hall
Nature & Scenery

Lake Inawashiro

<p>Japan&#39;s fourth-largest freshwater lake, Lake Inawashiro is situated in Bandai Asahi National Park. It is also known as the &ldquo;Heavenly Mirror Lake&rdquo; and has a surface area of 104 square kilometers! The combination of Lake Inawashiro and <a href="http://fukushima.travel/destination/mt-bandai/12">Mt. Bandai</a> form one of Aizu&#39;s representative landscapes. And being less than three hours from Tokyo by shinkansen and local train means that you have easy access from a major transport hub.</p><p>The lake offers year-round fun. Enjoy cherry blossoms in spring at Iwahashi Shrine, one of Aizu&rsquo;s five famous cherry trees. Summer at Lake Inawashiro is slightly cooler than the rest of Fukushima, so take advantage of camping by the lakeshore, and a wide variety of marine sports. Colored leaves and hikes are the popular thing to do in autumn, view the fiery hues and take in the crisp air. In winter, visitors can enjoy fresh powder snow and winter thrills in the form of skiing and snowboarding; and you can even catch a glimpse of migrating swans on the shores.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/%E7%8C%AA%E8%8B%97%E4%BB%A3%E6%B9%962.jpg" /></p><p>It&rsquo;s truly a beauty no matter when you decide to visit. There are also a wide range of scenic spots from where visitors can take photographs and soak in the view. It&rsquo;s a great place to escape from the stress of work and life or just to experience Japanese nature and landscapes.</p><p>Lake Inawashiro&#39;s size means that it is accessible from a number of sightseeing spots, including <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/tenkyokaku/152">Tenkyokaku</a> stately house and <a href="http://fukushima.travel/destination/hideo-noguchi-memorial-museum/18">Hideo Noguchi Memorial Museum</a> (a museum dedicated to the life and work of a Japanese scientist famous for his research on yellow fever). There&rsquo;s plenty more to do nearby: view some amazing works by international artists at the <a href="http://fukushima.travel/destination/morohashi-museum-of-modern-art/197">Morohashi Museum of Modern Art</a>, or visit the rainbow-colored <a href="http://fukushima.travel/destination/goshiki-numa-ponds/13">Goshiki-numa Ponds</a>.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/%E7%8C%AA%E8%8B%97%E4%BB%A3%EF%BC%BFsunset.jpg" /></p>

The World Glassware Hall
Nature & Scenery

Tenkyokaku

<p>Named by the Crown Prince Yoshihito upon its opening in 1907 as &ldquo;The Palace of Heaven&rsquo;s Mirror&rdquo;, Tenkyokaku is a decadently decorated former villa.</p><p>Imperial Prince Arisugawa Takehito decided to build Tenkyokaku after being impressed by the beauty of <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/lake-inawashiro/5">Lake Inawashiro</a> during a visit to the Tohoku District. His family, the Arisugawa-no-miya Family, owned the villa until 1952, when it was granted to Fukushima Prefecture.</p><p>Tenkyokaku has since been used as a meeting hall and a space for lectures and exhibitions. The former villa, its annex and its front gate have been specified as important cultural properties of Japan.</p><p>Despite being restored in 1984, the building retains many of its original features, including the impressive chandelier which can be seen below.</p><p>Despite no longer being able to see Lake Inawashiro from the windows of Tenkyokaku, the luxurious renaissance-style architecture and liberal use of all things gold and glittery means that visitors will by all means feel that its name still rings true.</p><p>For only 1000 yen, you can dress up in a traditional outfit and take as many photos as you would like in the building!</p>

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Yunokami Onsen
Hot Springs

Yunokami Onsen

Yunokami Onsen is famous for having one of the only thatched roof station buildings in Japan. The hot spring area is fed from 8 source springs. Each ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in the town draws its hot water directly from the source. The clear, transparent water is beloved for being soft and gentle on the skin. Many lodges offer just day-use of their baths, making it a great place to enjoy on a whim. There is also a public foot bath located at Yunokami Onsen Station. During the cherry blossom season, visitors can enjoy a warm foot bath while watching the light pink petals fluttering in the wind.

Yanaizu Onsen
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Yanaizu Onsen

<p>Yanaizu is a rural temple town that has flourished thanks to the renowned <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/enzoji-temple/143">Enzoji Temple</a>.</p><p>Many&nbsp;lodges were built in Yanaizu Town&nbsp;for travelers taking part in temple pilgrims. Many of these&nbsp;lodges have been repurposed as&nbsp;onsen ryokan inns.</p><p>Yanaizu Town is&nbsp;now the largest onsen town on the Tadami River. Visitors come from far and wide to be enchanted by the fine river mists found on the Tadami River in the early summer, and the brilliantly-colored leaves in the autumn.</p><p>See <a href="https://inbound.aizu-yanaizu.com/en/pamphlet/">here</a> for a English information pamphlets provided by Yanaizu Town.</p>

Ashinomaki Onsen
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Ashinomaki Onsen

This hot spring resort town is well-known for its beautiful vallies, and the high quality of the abundant hot water that gushes from the town's natural hot springs. Ashinomaki Onsen is a convenient place to stay overnight for those visiting sightseeing spots such as Ouchi-juku, To-no-hetsuri, and Aizu-Wakamatsu City, as the town is located in between these key places. After enjoying a full day of sightseeing in Aizu, visitors can relax and lose track of time while bathing in a hot spring bath at a resort hotel or quaint ryokan.

Higashiyama Onsen
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Higashiyama Onsen

<p>Established over 1,300 years ago, Higashiyama Onsen is a well-known retreat area in Aizu-Wakamatsu City. The recognized historical onsen town is said to have been founded by the Buddhist priest Gyōki. According to legend, he found the area by following a bird with three legs, an auspicious and mystical omen. The area was popular with people from all over Aizu during the Edo Period and was developed as a retreat area. Today it is listed among the top three onsen towns of old Tohoku. Being only 10 minutes by car from the heart of Aizu-Wakamatsu City, visitors are sure to enjoy their time at Higashiyama Onsen.</p><p>The traditional Japanese ryokan (inns) of Higashiyama Onsen line both sides of the Yukawa River, giving the area a picturesque air. Let your mind and body relax in the warm sodium-sulphate waters and clean, crisp air. A visit in autumn treats ryokan and hotel guests to the fantastic experience of bathing in a hot springs while viewing autumn leaves.</p><p>The ryokan in the area are a mix of modern and traditional, perfect to suit any taste. For sightseeing, there are plenty of shops and restaurants in the area for you to enjoy local goods and cuisine. Moreover, staying in Higashiyama Onsen is a great option for those who would like to sightsee in Aizu-Wakamatsu. Higashiyama Onsen is also home to geigi (geisha), whose traditions have been passed down through the generations. If you make a reservation, you can watch them perform. These classically trained entertainers are skilled in song, dance, and music. Their breathtaking performances reflect historical ballads and stories&mdash;the tale of the <a href="http://fukushima.travel/destination/the-19-graves-of-the-byakkotai-samurai-brigade/244">Byakkotai </a>is especially popular. It is the tragic story of teenage samurai who committed ritual suicide at <a href="http://fukushima.travel/destination/mt-iimoriyama/4">Mt. Iimoriyama</a>.</p>

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