Aizu, a Snow and Ski Haven on the Doorstep of Tokyo!

July 16, 2021
The Aizu area in Fukushima Prefecture can be reached from Tokyo via the Shinkansen and JR trains. Despite Aizu only being 2.5 hours from Tokyo Station, the snow quality and snowfall is the best on Honshu. You will be hard pressed to find a place with the same ease of access and great snow quality in the various regions throughout Japan. You can ski in new places every day in the Aizu region since it boasts over 10 ski resorts scattered around Mt. Bandai, a mountain that is just as beautifully shaped as Mt. Fuji. Here is a detailed guide to getting to the Aizu area!

Where is Aizu? What kind of place is it?

Higashiyama Onsen

Aizu is located in the western part of Fukushima Prefecture, which is itself in the northeastern region of the main island of Honshu and is bordered by Yamagata, Niigata, and Tochigi prefectures.

Tsurugajo Castle in Spring

Aizu has no shortage of tourist attractions, such as the nature-rich Bandai-Asahi National Park, Tsurugajo Castle, Aizuwakamatsu with its old townscape, the 1,300-year-old Higashiyama Onsen hot springs, and Lake Inawashiro, a beautiful lake where you can swim if you’d like. Areas in Aizu designated as heavy snowfall areas typically record temperature below freezing during the winter. The ski resorts around Mt. Bandai each have their own special characteristics and are popular with everyone from families and advanced skiers alike.

Inawashiro Ski Resort

Major ski resorts in the Aizu area
- Listel Ski Fantasia
- Grandeco Snow Resort
- Snow Paradise Inawashiro Ski Resort
- Hoshino Resort Nekoma
- Inawashiro Resort
- Family Snow Park Bandai x 2
- Aizu Kogen Nango Ski Area
- Urabandai Ski Resort
- Aizu Kogen Daikura Ski Resort
- Aizu Kogen Takahata Ski Resort
- Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai
- Sannokura Ski Resort
- Aizu Kogen Takatsue Ski Resort
- Tadami Ski Resort
- Fairyland Kaneyama Ski Resort
- Grandee Hatoriko Ski Resort
- Blue Resort Minowa
- Numajiri Ski Resort
- Ski Resort Ten-Ei
- Oze Hinoemata Onsen Ski Resort

Spring in Ouchi-juku

Major Tourist Spots in the Aizu Area
- Mt. Bandai
- Lake Inawashiro
- Aizuwakamatsu
- Tsurugajo Castle
- Aizu Bukeyashiki Samurai Residence
- Higashiyama Onsen
- Ashinomaki Onsen
- Mt. Iimori
- Goshikinuma
- Ouchi-juku

The fastest and most convenient route is the Shinkansen + JR + bus

Tohoku Shinkansen

It takes about 90 minutes from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station, the gateway to Aizu. It then takes about 45 minutes from Koriyama Station on the JR local line. Once you get off the train at Inawashiro Station, which connects to accommodations and ski resorts in the Aizu area, you will be greeted by a spectacular view of Mount Bandai. Some free shuttle buses for the slopes and ski accommodations also stop here.

Hoshino Resort Nekoma Ski Resort

Main ski resorts that are easily accessible from Inawashiro Station
- Listel Ski Fantasia
- Grandeco Snow Resort
- Snow Paradise Inawashiro
- Hoshino Resort Nekoma Ski Resort

Main accommodations that are easily accessible from Inawashiro Station
- Urabandai Grandeco Tokyu Hotel
- Hotel Listel Inawashiro
- Urabandai Lake Resort

Bring everything you need with ease from Tokyo Station

Snowboarder

Those who have traveled with ski or snowboard equipment know that it is not easy. If you plan to travel with your own equipment, the direct bus from Tokyo Station to Urabandai Kogen Station via Hotel Listel Inawashiro makes life much easier. With the exception of the year-end and New Year holidays, there are buses running every day from mid-December to late March. There are two stops along the way where you can take a break as well as buy snacks and drinks.

Tokyo Station

Advanced booking is required for the direct bus service. There is also a direct bus service to the Hotel Listel Inawashiro from Tokyo Station and Saitama Shin-Toshin (Saitama New Urban Center) specifically for guests of the hotel.

Accommodations accessible by direct bus
- Urabandai Grandeco Tokyu Hotel (transfer along the way)
- Hotel Listel Inawashiro (direct)
- Urabandai Lake Resort (direct)

Head straight to skiing from Haneda and Narita airports

Haneda Airport

When you head to the Aizu area from Haneda Airport, you don't need to go all the way to Tokyo Station. A direct bus departs from Haneda Airport, stops at Tokyo Station, and heads to Urabandai-Kogen Station via Hotel Listel Inawashiro. If you leave Haneda Airport in the morning, you will arrive at Urabandai-Kogen Station in the afternoon. The bus goes from the Inawashiro area to the Bandai and Urabandai areas and around various ski resorts, so it's a good idea to check in advance which bus stop is closest to your target ski resort.

Narita Airport

From Narita Airport, the direct bus to Koriyama Station is a comfortable and convenient way to reach the Aizu region. Depending on the year, there may be a direct bus to the Inawashiro area, so if you're interested, please check it out.

Reference: https://www.aizubus.com/highway/urabandai/urabandai_line_up
https://www.fukushima-koutu.co.jp/highway/02_13.html

*This information is correct as of October 20, 2020. The highway bus service between Fukushima/Koriyama and Narita Airport is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please refer to the official website for details and the latest information.

Take advantage of free shuttle buses from hotels to ski resorts!

Grandeco Snow Resort Slope

The best way to enjoy skiing in the Aizu area is to use the free shuttle buses. There are about three round trips a day depending on the route, so you can use the bus of your choice depending on your stay.

Bus routes from Hotel Listel Inawashiro (departure times)
- Grandeco Snow Resort (transfer required): (Outbound) 8:00 / (Return) 16:00
- Hoshino Resort Nekoma Snow Park & Resort: (Outbound) 8:00 / Return 16:10
- Snow Paradise Inawashiro: (Outbound) 8:50, 13:50 / (Return) 13:00, 14:20, 16:10
- Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai: (Outbound) 8:30 / (Return) 16:00
*In case of insufficient snowfall, the bus for Alts Bandai may be changed to Blue Resort MINOWA.

Bus Route from Urabandai Grandeco Tokyu Hotel
- Hoshino Resort Nekoma: (Outbound) 9:10*, 10:20, 13:05, 15:10 departure / (Return) 9:00, 10:10*, 13:15, 14:05*

Bus route from Urabandai Lake Resort
- Grandeco Snow Resort: (Outbound) 8:30*, 9:15, 10:25*, 13:30, 14:20* departure / (Return) 9:15*, 10:25, 13:10*, 15:15, 16:30*
*From December 19, 2020 to March 28, 2021. Other services from 26 December, 2020 to 28 March, 2021.

Reference: https://www.grandeco.com/english/access.html

Take a relaxing winter ride by train or bus to Aizu this winter!

Aizu Takatsue

The Aizu area is close to Tokyo and is well serviced by free shuttle buses and other public transportation, making it easy to get to ski resorts without needing a car. All of the ski resorts offer ski and snowboard rental services and lessons, so even if you're a beginner and don't have any equipment, don't worry! This winter, enjoy snow life in the convenient and welcoming Aizu area!

[Note] Pricing information and schedule are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website before your trip.

Related ski resorts

Hoshino Resorts NEKOMA MOUNTAIN Fukushima Prefecture

Dec. 1st to May 6th
Courses33
Lifts14
Longest run distance2,500 m
Maximum gradient37 °
Courses33
Lifts14
Longest run2,500 m
Maximum37 °

Lift ticket

USD 36.3510% OFF
USD 32.38〜 (JPY 4,900〜)
Book Now

Lessons

USD 196.9510% OFF
USD 177.12〜 (JPY 26,800〜)
Book Now

(CLOSED)Inawashiro resort ski Fukushima Prefecture

Jan. 30th to Mar. 22nd
Courses9
Lifts4
Longest run distance2,500 m
Maximum gradient40 °
Courses9
Lifts4
Longest run2,500 m
Maximum40 °

Adult 2 people1 night

2024-04-17
USD 85.32〜 (JPY 12,909〜)
Book

Grandeco Snow Resort Fukushima Prefecture

Nov. 23rd to Apr. 21st
Courses13
Lifts4
Longest run distance4,500 m
Maximum gradient33 °
Courses13
Lifts4
Longest run4,500 m
Maximum33 °

Adult 2 people1 night

2024-04-17
USD 74.50〜 (JPY 11,272〜)
Book

Lift ticket

USD 35.039% OFF
USD 31.72〜 (JPY 4,800〜)
Book Now

Urabandai Ski Resort Fukushima Prefecture

Dec. 30th to Mar. 21st
Courses3
Lifts3
Longest run distance1,400 m
Maximum gradient35 °
Courses3
Lifts3
Longest run1,400 m
Maximum35 °

Adult 2 people1 night

2024-04-17
USD 87.71〜 (JPY 13,272〜)
Book

Listel Ski Fantasia Fukushima Prefecture

Dec. 23rd to Mar. 31st
Courses6
Lifts3
Longest run distance2,000 m
Maximum gradient37 °
Courses6
Lifts3
Longest run2,000 m
Maximum37 °

Adult 2 people1 night

2024-04-17
USD 126.17〜 (JPY 19,090〜)
Book