FUKUSHIMA Lake Inawashiro Area and Urabandai Area Mountainside lake area rich in nature and art

Less than three hours by shinkansen and connecting transport from Tokyo, the Lake Inawashiro area and nearby Mt. Bandai are an easily accessible playground for those seeking winter thrills and powder snow. Yet boasting unparalleled hiking options, a world-class collection of Salvador Dali's artworks and a museum devoted to Hideyo Noguchi, to one of Japan's top scientists, the area is well worth a visit at any time of year.

The best way to see Mt. Bandai , Lake Inawashiro and surrounding areas is by rental car but other options are available. If staying at a hotel, it might be worth checking to see if you can use a shuttle service from Koriyama Station, the closest shinkansen stop. Otherwise, transfer at Koriyama Station to Inawashiro Station via the 40-minute rapid train towards Aizu-Wakamatsu. From there you can walk, or take a bus or taxi to nearby facilities.

Visit during spring, and you may be surprised to still find snow on Mt. Bandai . Urabandai , the back of the mountain, will even have ski resorts still open.

As the weather heats up, eventually the area's greenery and cherry blossoms spring to life. The “Oshika Zakura” elk cherry tree at Iwahashi Shrine, considered one of the Aizu district's five most famous cherry trees. It is well worth the 3.5-kilometer trip from Inawashiro Station for blossom lovers.

The summer months are slightly cooler here than the rest of Fukushima Prefecture. A refreshing swim in the crystal clear lake makes for a popular and seasonal activity. Rent sports equipment to go fishing, boardsailing, or water skiing around the northern Nagahama shore. Chilled soba noodles, made using the area's pristine natural underground water, are another area highlight.

Urabandai is well-known as an excellent place to view autumn leaves. Trek through the fiery yellows, oranges, and reds of the mountains at Goshikinuma, or sit back and enjoy the colors of these colorful ponds and lakes.

The whole area is a collection of 30 different-hued marshes and lakes, providing the perfect aesthetic contrast for which to compare the colors of the leaves.

When you're done exploring, escape the cooler weather or rest after a long day hiking many of the area's trails in one of the several local hot springs.

Chill out during the long winter season in the ski resorts around Mt. Bandai . Gear up with skis or a snowboard for the Alts Bandai or Inawashiro ski resorts on the front side of the mountain and admire the lake from this improved vantage point.

Alternatively, tackle Urabandai , the back of the mountain, open from early December to early May. Grandeco Snow Resort is known for its high-quality snow while Urabandai Nekoma resort is preferable if you want a more manageably-sized resort.

The Morohashi Museum of Modern Art, showcasing works by Salvador Dali, is the only museum in Asia offering a permanent exhibition of his art. With 330 such works on display, the museum boasts the third-largest collection of his works in the world, and is highly recommended for art fans unlikely to see other such collections abroad in Europe.

An interesting side attraction is a museum dedicated to the man on the 1,000-yen note. Learn about the life and achievements of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928) famous for his research on yellow fever. Step inside his parents' home to view some of the personal items from his life and gain a unique insight into the life of the famous scientist.