DESTINATION / Fukushima Prefecture

Nekoma, Bandai and Urabandai

A trip to Nekoma will look different depending on whether you stay in the south area on the Bandai town side or go to the north area on the Urabandai side where there are lakes and hot springs. Hotels with direct access to the slopes in the south make it easy to combine skiing and a stay with Aizu culture, while accommodations in Urabandai include the nature of the lake and Grandeco. Choosing a place to stay will be easier if you consider the ski resorts connected in the mountains and the roads in the area you will be traveling by car separately.

Winter view of the former Nekoma ski area, now the northern area of Nekoma MountainHoshino Resorts NEKOMA Mountain / Fukushima Prefecture

Photo: Fumihiko Ueno/Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0. Landscapes from past shoots. Size adjustment, WebP conversion, and cropping to fit the display frame.

01 / STAY IN THE AREA

Explore beyond the slopes

Choose a base, then discover the places around it.

Plan your stay

A trip to Nekoma will look different depending on whether you stay in the south area on the Bandai town side or go to the north area on the Urabandai side where there are lakes and hot springs. Hotels with direct access to the slopes in the south make it easy to combine skiing and a stay with Aizu culture, while accommodations in Urabandai include the nature of the lake and Grandeco. Choosing a place to stay will be easier if you consider the ski resorts connected in the mountains and the roads in the area you will be traveling by car separately.

Getting around the area

The transportation hubs in the south are Koriyama and Aizu-Wakamatsu, and the inns in Inawashiro and Urabandai in the north. Check out the official seasonal buses and find out which ones are arriving and which ones are returning. For cars, specify the address of the area you want to use and the winter route. The lifts in the mountains that connect the north and south are part of the means of transportation, but in the event of suspension, it is best to decide in advance to use the lifts as replacements before crossing.

Read the access guide
02 / STAYS

Choose a base

Compare each location with its booking and visiting conditions.

A guest-room interior at Bandaisan Onsen Hotel.Venue photograph

A guest-room interior at Bandaisan Onsen Hotel.

Image credit

磐梯山温泉ホテル by 星野リゾート 公式サイト · Rights not verified · Source ↗

Converted to WebP and cropped to the display frame.

01 / STAY

Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel

Ski the south side, then settle into an evening in Aizu.

Read the property guide
The exterior of Urabandai Kogen Hotel, photographed in a green season.Venue photograph

The exterior of Urabandai Kogen Hotel, photographed in a green season.

Image credit

裏磐梯観光協会 · Rights not verified · Source ↗

Converted to WebP and cropped to the display frame.

02 / STAY

Urabandai Kogen Hotel

Mountain scenery, a quiet lounge and a slower evening.

Read the property guide
An overview of Urabandai Lake Resort overlooking the lake.Venue photograph

An overview of Urabandai Lake Resort overlooking the lake.

Image credit

裏磐梯レイクリゾート 公式サイト · Rights not verified · Source ↗

Converted to WebP and cropped to the display frame.

03 / STAY

Urabandai Lake Resort

Choose your room, then make an evening of the hotel.

Read the property guide
03 / LOCAL TABLES

Meals and evening fun

Compare each location with its booking and visiting conditions.

Bandai Shokudo — venue photographVenue photograph

Bandai Shokudo — venue photograph

Image credit

磐梯食堂 / official website · Rights not verified · Source ↗

Converted to WebP and cropped to the display frame.

01 / FOOD

Bandai Shokudo

Enjoy a hot lunch in the south area.

Read the property guide
Nekoma Shokudo — venue photographVenue photograph

Nekoma Shokudo — venue photograph

Image credit

猫魔食堂 / official website · Rights not verified · Source ↗

Converted to WebP and cropped to the display frame.

02 / FOOD

Nekoma Shokudo

In the north area, before the next one.

Read the property guide
The Rider’s Burger Stand — venue photographVenue photograph

The Rider’s Burger Stand — venue photograph

Image credit

The Rider’s / official website · Rights not verified · Source ↗

Converted to WebP and cropped to the display frame.

03 / FOOD

The Rider’s

Hamburger in the middle of the south.

Read the property guide
BAR Play Spot — venue photographVenue photograph

BAR Play Spot — venue photograph

Image credit

BAR プレイスポット / official website · Rights not verified · Source ↗

Converted to WebP and cropped to the display frame.

04 / BAR

BAR Play Spot

Spend a night in the snowy mountains inside the hotel.

Read the property guide
04 / EXPERIENCES

Hot springs, sightseeing, and surrounding experiences

Compare each location with its booking and visiting conditions.

01 / CULTURE & NATURE

Goshikinuma Ponds

The Urabandai lakes were formed by the eruption of Mount Bandai. Each swamp has a different blue or green landscape, and the nature trail is your gateway to exploring the area. The conditions for walking in winter are different from those in seasons without snow, so check the trail conditions at the visitor center and choose the equipment and guide you need. You can consider taking a day off from skiing as a way to get to know the local nature.

Before you visit or book

Opening status of sightseeing trails, winter equipment and guides, weather, and transportation from entrances and exits.

Read the property guide
02 / CULTURE & NATURE

Urabandai Visitor Center

A national park information facility located at the east entrance of the Goshikinuma nature trail. You can learn about Urabandai's nature and history through exhibits, and get information on sightseeing routes, mountain trails, flora and fauna. A useful base before walking around the area during the snowy season, or on days when you change your plans for the snowy mountains. Choose between a tour of the facility and a walk outside, and ask about seasonal conditions at the counter before deciding on your destination.

Before you visit or book

Closed days, winter opening hours, latest information on nature exploration trails, and experience registration.

Read the property guide
A SENSE OF PLACE

Get to know the area

Learn about the atmosphere of the destination from the scenery at the time of the photo shoot.

Snowy scenery at the former Nekoma Ski Resort (currently Nekoma Mountain North Area)

Former Nekoma Ski Resort/North Area

winter

Photo: Fumihiko Ueno/Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0. Winter scenery. Size adjustment, WebP conversion, and cropping to fit the display frame.

Old Altu Bandai (current Nekoma Mountain south area) and Mount Bandai

Former Altu Bandai/South Area, Mount Bandai

winter

Photo: Ski Mania/Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. Winter scenery. Size adjustment, WebP conversion, and cropping to fit the display frame.

01
SNOW

Nekoma Mountain

Two sides of one mountain resort. Choose your entrance and accommodation before planning the day’s route.

02
JOURNEY

Plan your stay with an itinerary

Leave time for travel as well as the places you visit.

EXPLORE

Where to stay

A guest-room interior at Bandaisan Onsen Hotel.
STAY

Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel

Ski the south side, then settle into an evening in Aizu.

The exterior of Urabandai Kogen Hotel, photographed in a green season.
STAY

Urabandai Kogen Hotel

Mountain scenery, a quiet lounge and a slower evening.

An overview of Urabandai Lake Resort overlooking the lake.
STAY

Urabandai Lake Resort

Choose your room, then make an evening of the hotel.

EXPLORE

Food and evenings

BAR Play Spot — venue photograph
FOOD

BAR Play Spot

Spend a night in the snowy mountains inside the hotel.

Bandai Shokudo — venue photograph
FOOD

Bandai Shokudo

Enjoy a hot lunch in the south area.

Nekoma Shokudo — venue photograph
FOOD

Nekoma Shokudo

In the north area, before the next one.

The Rider’s Burger Stand — venue photograph
FOOD

The Rider’s

Hamburger in the middle of the south.

EXPLORE

Places to explore

Snowy scenery at the former Nekoma Ski Resort (currently Nekoma Mountain North Area)Area reference photograph; not the featured property
ATTRACTION

Goshikinuma Ponds

Get to know Urabandai from the colors of its lakes.

Snowy scenery at the former Nekoma Ski Resort (currently Nekoma Mountain North Area)Area reference photograph; not the featured property
ATTRACTION

Urabandai Visitor Center

Start your journey through the mountains and lakes here.

EXPLORE

Travel guides

GUIDE

Tohoku snow travel guide

Even within the same region, transportation hubs and convenient accommodations vary. Choose your destination based on your accommodation and last leg of travel.