Urabandai Driving Guide: Goshikinuma, Lake Hibara and Jododaira Route with Map

The Urabandai and Bandai area is the country around Mt. Bandai in Fukushima Prefecture, in Kitashiobara Village, Inawashiro Town and Bandai Town. On the north side of Mt. Bandai, in Urabandai, Goshikinuma and Lake Hibara are among many lakes and ponds, and three sightseeing roads run through the area: the Bandai-Azuma Lake Line, the Mt. Bandai Gold Line and the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. This page sets out a one-day route that enters Urabandai by the Lake Line from Inawashiro, goes round the lakes and comes down to Bandai Town by the Gold Line, and lists the roads and places to stop.

Map of the Urabandai and Bandai area

The line on the map is the route described below under "First visit: one day from Inawashiro round the Urabandai lakes to Bandai Town". The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations. Hover over or tap a number to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Inawashiro round the Urabandai lakes to Bandai Town

From Michi-no-Eki Inawashiro, take Route 115 and then the Bandai-Azuma Lake Line, stopping at Nakatsugawa Gorge and Lake Onogawa on the way into Urabandai. Stop at Nakasenuma Observation Deck, Goshikinuma and the Mt. Bandai Eruption Memorial Museum, then drive north along Lake Hibara to Michi-no-Eki Urabandai. From there take the Mt. Bandai Gold Line past Happodai and come down to Michi-no-Eki Bandai. The route is about 82 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and do not include traffic.

The Lake Line and the Gold Line close for the winter from 17:00 on 13 November. Michi-no-Eki Inawashiro is right off Inawashiro-Bandaikogen IC.

To Jododaira by the Bandai-Azuma Skyline

For Jododaira, leave Route 115 at the Tsuchiyu entrance and join the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. It is about 27 km and about 40 minutes from Inawashiro-Bandaikogen IC to the Tsuchiyu entrance. The Jododaira car park costs ¥500 for a standard car (cash only). Azuma-kofuji is about 10 minutes up steps from the car park, and a walk right round the crater takes 40 minutes to 1 hour. The Skyline is closed every night from 17:00 to 8:00 the next morning from 1 November, and closed for the winter from 17:00 on 13 November.

Goshikinuma is open from 9:00 to 16:00

Because of bear attacks, the Goshikinuma nature trail can be walked only from 9:00 to 16:00. The section you can walk runs from the Bishamonuma viewpoint to the Bentennuma viewpoint. The Urabandai Visitor Center car park (70 standard cars) is open 24 hours.

Roads you can drive

The three sightseeing roads are due to reopen in late April 2027. Snow or icy roads can bring the closures forward.

Places to stop

Views and nature

The numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

As of 23 October, autumn leaves were still at their best around Takayu Onsen and along the Fudosawa gorge on the Skyline.

Busy places and times

• In the autumn leaf season the Bandai-Azuma Skyline is very busy.
• Happodai is very busy at weekends. Do not park on the road.
• On the Ban-etsu Expressway between Bandai-Atami IC and Inawashiro-Bandaikogen IC, roadworks restrictions continue until 14 November, and a jam of 5 km or more is forecast on holidays.

Closures and restrictions (as of 26 October)

• The Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley is closed every day from 17:00 to 7:00 the next morning until 3 November, and closed for the winter from 17:00 on 4 November.
• The Bandai-Azuma Skyline is closed every day from 17:00 to 8:00 the next morning from 1 November, and closed for the winter from 17:00 on 13 November. Some sections have alternating one-way traffic.
• The Bandai-Azuma Lake Line and the Mt. Bandai Gold Line are closed for the winter from 17:00 on 13 November.
• The volcanic alert level for both Mt. Azuma and Mt. Bandai is 1. Some of the trail around the Oana crater on Mt. Azuma cannot be used. If volcanic gas passes the limit, the Skyline is closed between Jododaira and Fudosawa.

Getting there and fuel

There are no petrol stations at the roadside stations. Fill up in Inawashiro or the centre of Fukushima City. You can charge an electric car at Michi-no-Eki Inawashiro, Urabandai and Bandai.

If you don't have a car

Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. If you are picking up a car at the airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best one-day drive in Urabandai?

From Inawashiro take the Lake Line, stopping at Nakatsugawa Gorge and Lake Onogawa, go round Nakasenuma, Goshikinuma and Lake Hibara, and come down to Bandai Town by the Gold Line. It is about 82 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes of driving.

When does the Bandai-Azuma Skyline close?

In 2026 it closes for the winter from 17:00 on 13 November. From 1 November it is also closed every day from 17:00 to 8:00 the next morning.

Do I have to pay to drive the three sightseeing roads?

The Bandai-Azuma Skyline, the Lake Line and the Gold Line have been free since 25 July 2013. The Jododaira car park costs ¥500 for a standard car.

Can I walk at Goshikinuma at any time?

At the moment only from 9:00 to 16:00. Because of bear attacks, the times and the section you can walk are limited.

Can I buy petrol in Urabandai?

There are no petrol stations at the roadside stations. Fill up in Inawashiro or the centre of Fukushima City before you drive.

Nearby areas and guides

• Fukushima Prefecture driving and travel guide
• Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27: Mountain Road Closing and Reopening Dates
• Driving in Japan on a Foreign License: IDP or Translation
• Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return