Mt. Bandai (磐梯山)

Mt. Bandai (磐梯山, 1,816 m) is an active volcano straddling Inawashiro, Bandai, and Kitashiobara in Fukushima Prefecture, and is counted among the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan. Rising elegantly above Lake Inawashiro, it is known as “Aizu Fuji” or “Aizu Bandai-san” for its perfect cone form. The 1888 catastrophic eruption created the Goshikinuma (Five-Colour Ponds) on the Ura-Bandai side — cobalt-blue mystical pools that are equally famous. From the summit, panoramic views span Lake Inawashiro, the Azuma Range, Nasu Range, and Nikkō Range. The most popular Happōdai trailhead offers a 4-hour round-trip — an approachable hyakumeizan for beginners.

From JR Banetsu West Line Inawashiro Station, the Happōdai trailhead is reached by taxi, while the Kawakami trailhead (Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae bus stop) on the Ura-Bandai side is reached by Aizu Bus.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Inawashiro Station → Happōdai Trailhead (Taxi)
2. [Outbound] Inawashiro Station → Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae / Kawakami Trailhead (Aizu Bus)
3. [Return] Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae → Inawashiro Station (Aizu Bus)

Course Times (Happōdai trail round-trip, approx. 4 hours)

Happōdai Trailhead (1,194 m) → (0:50) → Nakanoyu ruins → (1:30) → Kōbōshimizu → (0:30) → Mt. Bandai summit (1,816 m) → (0:20) → Kōbōshimizu → (1:10) → Nakanoyu → (0:40) → Happōdai

(Alternative) Kawakami Trailhead → Akanuma → (2:00) → Nakanoyu (joins Happōdai trail; approx. 5 h total)

1. [Outbound] Inawashiro Station → Happōdai Trailhead (Taxi)

From JR Banetsu West Line Inawashiro Station, the popular Happōdai Trailhead (mid-section of Mt. Bandai Gold Line, 1,194 m) is not served by public buses — taxi is the standard option. The drive takes about 30–40 minutes. Sharing the fare among 3–4 passengers is highly recommended.

Operating period: Mt. Bandai Gold Line is normally open mid-April to mid-November (winter closure)
Travel time: Inawashiro Stn → Happōdai Trailhead approx. 30–40 min
Fare: sedan taxi one-way approx. ¥6,000–7,000 (around ¥1,500–2,000 per person when shared)
Note: Happōdai Trailhead has toilets and a free parking lot. The only mountain hut is at Kōbōshimizu (shop, water source).

Reference: Inawashiro Tourism Association — climbing

2. [Outbound] Inawashiro Station → Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae / Kawakami Trailhead (Aizu Bus)

From Inawashiro Station, board the Aizu Bus toward Ura-Bandai (Inawashiro ↔ Ura-Bandai Kōgen-eki ↔ Kitakata Stn line) and alight at Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae. A 10-minute walk takes you to the Kawakami Trailhead (Akanuma route on the Ura-Bandai side). Travel time approx. 20 min, fare ¥250.

Operating period: April 1 – October 31, 2026 (separate weekday and weekend/holiday schedules; some trips suspended Aug 13–16)
Travel time: approx. 20 min (Inawashiro Stn → Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae)
Fare: Inawashiro Stn → Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae adult one-way ¥250 (numbered-ticket boarding, pay on alighting)

Reference: Aizu Bus | Route bus timetable (Ura-Bandai Lake Resort PDF)

Bus TimetableInawashiro Station → Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae (Aizu Bus, weekday)

Sat/Sun/Holidays add extra trips at 8:02, 9:22, 10:50 (Goshikinuma-iriguchi only), 11:22, 13:22, 14:02. See the official PDF for details.

Reference: [Ura-Bandai Lake Resort PDF (Aizu Bus timetable)]

3. [Return] Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae → Inawashiro Station (Aizu Bus)

After hiking, return to Inawashiro Station from Bandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae via Aizu Bus. If you descend to the Happōdai trailhead, taxi is required.

Operating period: April 1 – October 31, 2026
Travel time: approx. 20 min
Fare: same as outbound

Bus TimetableBandai-san Funka Kinenkan-mae → Inawashiro Station (Aizu Bus, weekday)

Sat/Sun/Holidays add 8:09, 10:53, 14:09 services.

Reference: [Ura-Bandai Lake Resort PDF (Aizu Bus timetable)]

Featured image: Douglas P Perkins / CC BY 4.0