Trailhead: Inawashiro Tozanguchi

We embarked on our hike during the off-season, starting from the base of a ski resort. If you're lucky enough to visit when the summer lift is open, it makes the ascent much easier—definitely check the link for lift opening hours and details. From the lake, the view is absolutely stunning.

Mount Bandai offers six different trekking routes, and we chose the Inawashiro Tozanguchi route, which begins and ends at a snow resort with an incredible view of Lake Inawashiro. About halfway up, we found a small shop where you can take a break, use the restroom, and grab some water, snacks, or even warm food.

The first hour was a bit of a challenge, but soon after, we hit a stretch of trail that was breathtakingly beautiful all the way to the summit. The landscape kept changing, offering dynamic views that made the journey anything but boring. Since we didn’t use the summer lift, it took us about six hours to complete the hike, but with the lift, it would likely have been around four hours.

Mount Bandai, standing at 1,816 meters, is a dormant volcano located in Fukushima Prefecture. It offers a variety of trails, each with its own unique charm. For those seeking a more straightforward hike, the Happodai Trailhead along the Bandaisan Gold Line provides an easier route, taking about two hours to reach the summit. The hike is filled with panoramic views, an abandoned mountain lodge, a hot spring foot bath, and vibrant fall foliage if you time your visit for late October.

For anyone curious about the mountain's history, the Mount Bandai Eruption Memorial Museum in Urabandai is a must-visit, offering insights into the devastating 1888 eruption that shaped the landscape we see today.