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). |
You can try out the Mugenkyo no Watashi River Crossing on the Tadami River for a unique Japanese experience! Sit back, and enjoy the beautiful views as you make your way from one side of the Tadami River to the other. The boat trips are around 15 minutes per way, and run between Hayato Onsen pier and the Mifuke area.Booking & More Information
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.
Bookings for the akabeko painting can be made on the official reservation page.What is 'Akabeko'?The akabeko legend started at Enzoji Temple in Yanaizu Town, in the Aizu region. The construction of this temple began in the year 807, but due to a huge earthquake at the end of the seventeenth century, it had to be repaired in 1617. It was during the reconstruction of the temple that the akabeko became a folk legend.It is said that moving the wood and other supplies necessary for the reconstruction work was incredibly difficult because materials had to be transported from various villages upstream of the Tadami River. The materials were heavy and the journey to the temple was long. Cattle were used to transport materials, but many struggled to bear their loads.Then, out of nowhere, appeared a cow with a red coat. (It should be noted that, in the past, the word ‘red’ was used to describe the color ‘brown’, so it is likely that it was a brown cow.) The red cow supported the other cows and helped the priests who were constructing the temple until it was completed. Then, it suddenly vanished.'Akabeko' means 'red cow' in the local dialect.A number of statues of the cow were built inside the temple grounds so that the people of Yanaizu could express their gratitude to the akabeko.In the years following, there was a range of legends about the akabeko, with stories such as families who owned akabeko being rid of sickness upon stroking the cows. They continued to hold their status of bringers of good luck and strength. Families bought or made akabeko toys for their young children to play with.Akabeko Painting ExperiencesIn recent history, the Aizu tradition of painting akabeko began. It is said that this tradition started as something to do for children visiting Aizu-Wakamatsu City as part of school trips. This was when the story of the Akabeko evolved once more, into its newest papier-mâché form. The stripes on the face and back of the papier-mâché Akabeko are said to represent strength and perseverance.There are a number of workshops in Aizu-Wakamatsu City where you can paint your own Akabeko. Most workshops offer the standard red, white, and black paint. These talismans for good health make very cute and lightweight souvenirs to take home for family and friends – or keep for yourself! Those who prefer to buy a ready-painted Akabeko will be able to find it at most souvenir shops.BookingIf you would like to book an akabeko painting experience at the Tsurugajo Kaikan (a shopping complex located next to Tsurugajo Castle), please access this page.
The Tradition of Aizu lacquerware in Fukushima Prefecture has continued for 400 years. Try out creating a design on Aizu Lacquerware with a technique called Chinkin ("Sunken-gold") at Tsunoda Lacquer Art Studio. Sketch your design on tracing paper, and then mark it onto the lacqerware with a needle. Tsunoda san will help you fill the grooves created by your needle with gold and silver powder to create your design. Alternatively, try painting your own design on Aizu lacquerware at the studio. Either experience will create a great souvenir of your trip in Japan. These experiences take about an hour.
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.
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. One of the resort's main strengths, aside from its variety of courses, is the accessibility of the slopes to hotel guests; the hotel is attached to the base of the ski resort, allowing guests to step out of the locker rooms, strap on their skis or snowboard and immediately ski down to the gondola departure point.
Have fun skiing on high-quality, natural powder snow at Aizu Kogen Takatsue Ski Resort.From the summit of the slopes, a vertical drop height of 1650 m gives visitors a 360-degree panoramic view over the mountains. Aizu Kogen Takatsue offers a variety of courses, allowing skiers of all levels to enjoy the resort to the full.There are other snow activities that don’t involve skiing, such as the Takatsue Snow Cat Tour. In this tour, run by Aizu Astoria Hotel, you are taken by snowcat all the way to the summit of the slopes, where you can enjoy the picture-perfect view.
With its high-quality powder snow, Hoshino Resorts Nekoma is perfect for all levels of experience, especially for full-fledged skiers. The Freestyle Park is popular among snowboarders on account of its rich variety of terrain features.The resort was formed in 2023 by combining two previous resorts, one on each side of Mt. Nekomadake, with the building of a connecting ski lift. This allows visitors to use both resorts -- a huge area with over 30 courses -- on a single ski pass.Ski passes can be bought from reception (south area shown here), and cashless payments are accepted.The plaza on the south side also features a ski rental shop, a large restaurant (11:00am - 2:00pm weekdays, 10:30am - 2:30pm weekends), ski goods store, and several smaller restaurants and cafes. There is some luggage storage on the 2nd floor and a rest area overlooking the ski lifts.See here for Aizu Ski Japan's page about Hoshino Resorts Nekoma.Typical day pass cost:Adult: 5200 yenJunior and senior high school students: 3800 yenElementary school students: 2500 yen*Discounts are available for early booking, both for day passes and season passes. Visit the official website for updated prices.