This shining golden waterfall appears in the midst of Urabandai's harsh winter. The water, containing sulfur and iron, freezes one layer after another, creating a frozen fall which shines a unique golden colour - giving it the name 'Yellow Falls'. Urabandai Tourist Association recommends that those wishing to trek to the falls should do so only as part of a guided tour, as the trail is not clear in winter.
| Website | https://www.urabandai-inf.com/en/?page_id=24946 |
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| Contact | Urabandai Tourist Association (+81) 241-32-2349 |
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| Parking | Parking available at Urabandai Ski Resort |
| Related info | Best season: From the end of January to the beginning of March <a href="https://www.urabandai-inf.com/en/?page_id=24946">See here for information on recommended snow shoe trekking guides.</a> |
| Access | 1170-5 Obudairayama, Hibara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Pref. 969-2701 View directions |
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| Getting there | The instructions are below are to Urabandai Ski Resort (the closest facility to Yellow Falls) By Car: 30 min from the Inawashiro-Bandaikogen I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway By Train: 15 min bus ride from Inawashiro Station (JR Ban-etsu West Line). Get off at Kyuka-mura Urabandai (休暇村裏磐梯) bus stop. Alternatively, take a taxi from Inawashiro Station (will take 30 min). |
When visiting Tsurugajo Castle, remember to check out the Rinkaku Tea Ceremony Room, which is situated inside the castle grounds. The beautiful Japanese garden surrounding the tea room is well worth a visit. What's more, you can enjoy traditional Japanese matcha tea together with a seasonal treat, all while looking out at the fantastic foliage of the garden.
Mitsutaya is a speciality restaurant with roots dating back to the end of the Edo Period (around 1835). The restaurant is situated in a renovated miso storehouse. It is therefore fitting that the restaurant is famous for a local Aizu meal called 'miso dengaku'. Miso dengaku refers to skewered vegetables and meat which are topped with a miso paste before being cooked over an open flame. The skewers are cooked one by one. Skewer ingredients include konjac, deep-fried tofu, sticky, savory rice balls called 'shingoro mochi', and more. Each small dish is coated in miso for an unforgettable and savory flavor.
You can now try on yukata or kimono at Tsuruga Kimono Rental Shop, which opened in April 2019. Tsuruga Kimono Rental Shop is located on the second floor of Tsurugajo Kaikan, which is right next to Tsurugajo Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Rent a kimono or yukata and take photos with friends and family in front of the castle, or venture a bit further to the historical Nanokamachi-dori Street to feel like you have stepped back in time. Come and make some great memories in Aizu-Wakamatsu City!
Aizu Erosoku (painted candles) are sumptuous items that were long-prized among samurai families. Delicate and vivid patterns such as chrysanthemums, plum blossoms, and peonies are painted onto candles made of natural Japan wax extracted from the fruits of lacquer trees. Each candle is still painstakingly painted one by one, and they serve as regal decorations in Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies and weddings. A candle painting experience is available at Ozawa Candle Shop (Reservation required).
Looking for a fun place to enjoy the snow with the whole family? Ashinomaki Snow Park is a great place to enjoy the fluffy Fukushima snow. The snow park is set in a picturesque field that is bordered by a lovely forest and river.Activities such as snowmobile driving, banana boat riding, tubing, snowball fights are all possible here! You can even hang out in Japanese igloos or “kamakura” and roast mochi over a fire. Riding in banana boats and being pulled in snow boats are especially popular activities at the snow park. The snow park is also a popular destination for snowy photoshoots!If you want to visit on a weekday, reservations must be made by 5:00 p.m. the day before. For weekend visitors no reservation is required.Dates of operation are dependent on snow fall, for the 2022 season the dates of operation at January 20 – February 28.
The base area of the slopes is as high as 1,050 m above sea level, ensuring skiers high quality snow and crisp, clean air. The squeak of snow when you step on it and the feel of the snow underfoot are unforgettable.All the roads to Minowa Ski Resort are national routes, so even when they are covered with snow, they make for safe and comfortable driving. Moreover, the resort is within 30 minutes from the nearest ICs (interchanges) on all major expressways and free parking is available just in front of the rest house.Moreover, the entire surface of the parking area is paved so it's easy to walk on. Such ease of access is yet another attraction of this ski resort.
Despite its modest size, Listel Ski Fantasia - located within the grounds of Hotel Listel Inawashiro - has been a FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup host since 1988, and was chosen as the mogul and aerial venue for the 2009 FIS Freestyle World Championship.Listel Ski Fantasia's main ski slope has an average gradient of 8 degrees, making it popular with beginners and family skiers. The "Kids' Land" ski area for children, onsite nursing rooms, and ski lessons available for children, make Listel Ski Fantasia a great choice for families.
Grandeco Resort is located in the scenic Urabandai area. The base area of the slopes sits at an altitude of more than 1,000 m, which enables skiers to enjoy great powder snow from late November through early May. A gondola and 4 high-speed quad lifts with hoods make skiing more convenient. Even beginners can go up to the top on the gondola and enjoy skiing down the long 3,500 m-long course, the upper part of which runs through wild beech woodland.