Autumn foliage spots around Urabandai: Driving, swamps, shrines, waterfalls, and illuminations.

The Bandai and Azuma area boasts three scenic roads (free of charge) registered as part of the Japan Scenic Byways: the Bandaisan Gold Line, the Bandai-Azuma Lake Line, and the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. From Bandaisan Gold Line you can enjoy views of the crater of Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro; from the Bandai-Azuma Lake Line, as well as the excellent viewpoint of Nakatsugawa Valley; and from Bandai-Azuma Skyline, you can admire the mountains, lakes, and wetlands. These roads offer a rich variety of natural scenery that changes with the seasons.

■ Directions from the hotel

Gold Line: Approximately 3 minutes by car from the hotel.
Lake Line: Approximately 5 minutes by car from the hotel.
Skyline: Approximately 36 minutes by car from the hotel.

Address

Gold Line: Hibara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture
Lake Line: Kengamine, Hibara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture
Skyline: Washikurayama, Tsuchiyu Onsen-machi, Fukushima City, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Mid-October to late October

Located almost in the center of Urabandai, the Nakasenuma Pond Renge-numa areas offer a relatively flat and easy-to-navigate course, perfect for first-timers. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Mount Bandai. This course is also popular for its abundance of wild birds. It's a popular spot for photography, offering a direct view of Mount Bandai.

■ Directions from the hotel

Approximately 10 minutes by car from the hotel.

Address

Onogawara, Hibara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Mid-October to late October

This waterfall is located upstream of Lake Onogawa. Its name comes from the fact that a statue of Fudo Myoo (Acala) is enshrined at the site of the waterfall. The water flows from Hyakkan Shimizu in the Bandai Plateau and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best waters as "Onogawa Spring Water".

■ Directions from the hotel

Approximately 15 minutes by car from the hotel.

Address

Hibara Arasunayama, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Mid-October to late October

This is one of the places you absolutely must visit if you want to delve into the history of Aizu. It is a shrine dedicated to Matsudaira Masayuki, the first lord of the Aizu domain. The maple leaves turn a brilliant red, creating a breathtaking sight like a red carpet. Many photographers visit every year.

■ Directions from the hotel

Approximately 30 minutes by car from the hotel.

Address

1 Mineyama, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Late October to early November

Tatsuzawa Fudo Falls, selected as one of the New Eight Scenic Views of Inawashiro, is a popular and beautiful waterfall. This magnificent waterfall flows on the Fudo River, which originates from Mt. Funamyojin in the Adatara mountain range, and a shrine dedicated to Fudo Myoo (a Buddhist deity) is located at the base of the falls. In autumn, visitors can see the waterfall cascading majestically amidst a mosaic of autumn leaves. It is especially beautiful during the seasons of fresh greenery and autumn leaves, and because it is accessible by car, it attracts many tourists.

■ Directions from the hotel

Approximately 45 minutes by car from the hotel.

Address

Kodachizawa, Oaza Koya, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Mid-October to early November

Tsurugajo Castle, a representative tourist spot in Aizu, is illuminated every year during the autumn foliage season. In addition to the autumn leaves, the stone walls and various points of interest are lit up, allowing you to see Tsurugajo Castle in a way that is unique to the night. Enjoy the fantastical world created by the autumn leaves and the castle.
[Illumination Period]
Mid-October to mid-November
*Time: Sunset to 8:30 PM (approx.)

■ Directions from the hotel

Approximately 60 minutes by car from the hotel.

Address

1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Late October to mid-November

Urabandai offers a chance to fully enjoy the beauty of nature. On Lake Hibara, the largest lake Urabandai, you can leisurely cruise among the islands floating on the lake while gazing at the rugged crater of Mount Bandai. In autumn, you can enjoy picturesque autumn foliage and other scenery that can only be seen from a cruise.

■ Directions from the hotel

5-minute walk from the hotel

Address

1172 Obuhirahara, Hibara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Late October to early November

As the third museum in the world to house works by Dalí, it opened after the Dalí Theatre-Museum (Spain) and the Dalí Museum (USA). Its 39 sculptures are an unparalleled collection, and the museum as a whole boasts one of the largest collections of Dalí's works in Asia. Visitors can also enjoy the autumn foliage around the museum.

■ Directions from the hotel

Approximately 10 minutes by car from the hotel.

Address

1093-23 Kengamine, Hibara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture

■The usual best time to see the autumn leaves

Late October to early November