[Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture] Urabandai is attractive for its beautiful scenery created by a powerful volcano and large and small lakes and marshes.

Bandai Volcano (Inawashiro-machi, Bandai-machi, Kitashiobara-mura, Fukushima Prefecture) is Mt. Bandai (Oibandai, 1,816 m above sea level), Kushigamine. It is one of Japan's most representative active volcanoes, consisting of three peaks: Gamine (1,636 m) and Mt. Akahani (1,430 m).

Eruptions during the Meiji period created Omote-bandai and Urabandai.

Mt. Bandai originally had a beautiful shape similar to Mt. Fuji, but at around 7:45 a.m. on July 15, 1888, it exploded with a loud bang, and within a short time. It erupted nearly 20 times, destroying most of Mt. Kobandai. When you look at Mt. Bandai from the north, you can see that the collapsed part has been gouged out, clearly demonstrating the terrifying power of Earth's activities.

On the other hand, if you look at it from the south side, where Lake Inawashiro is located on the opposite side, you won't be able to see the collapsed part, so it is a Conide-shaped mountain with beautiful ridgelines. This gentle view is called Omotebandai, and the rough view on the other side is called Urabandai.

Mt. Bandai is a relatively quiet volcano, contrary to its appearance.

Mt. Bandai is often thought to be an active volcano because it has caused large-scale landslides, but it has only erupted in earnest twice in recorded history, in 806 and 1888. The eruption was of medium scale (according to data from the Japan Meteorological Agency). In the case of 1888, the mountain collapsed due to multiple steam explosions in a short period of time, but it did not scatter large amounts of volcanic blocks and volcanic ash over a wide area, as was the case with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Asama. However, volcanic earthquakes have occurred several times since 1888. Recently, the number of volcanic earthquakes has increased considerably since November 2022, and the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued information that requires extreme caution.

Looking at Mt. Bandai from the perspective of Earth's history, it is believed that a large eruption accompanied by the collapse of the mountain body occurred 30,000 to 50,000 years ago, and Lake Inawashiro was created at that time. As a result of recent research, the theory that this eruption caused the collapse of the summit, which was higher than Mt. Fuji, and that the debris flow dammed the river at the foot of the mountain, forming Lake Inawashiro, has become popular. After that, a new volcano was born in the caldera (crater floor) that formed at the summit, and it grew to become Mt. Bandai (Obandai), also known as Aizu Fuji.

The collapse of mountains during the Meiji era created many large and small lakes such as Lake Hibara and Goshikinuma.

During the 1888 eruption, the collapsed soil dammed the river and created many lakes and marshes in Urabandai. It is said that there are over 300 of them, ranging from large lakes such as Lake Hibara and Lake Onogawa to small areas dotted with small ponds such as Goshikinuma. was born.

``Donnuma'' where traces of mountain collapse remain vividly visible

Akanuma is where you can see the remains of the mountain collapse in 1888 up close. This is a crater lake filled with water in the crater, located at an altitude of 1,120m. ``Copper Swamp'' is full of clear, strongly acidic water containing metal ions such as iron, aluminum, and manganese, but it looks like the iron-containing mud that has accumulated at the bottom, which has turned red, is visible through it. It was named "Numa".

Around the swamp, steam rises from the reddish-brown rocks, and rough cliffs with visible signs of collapse loom closer. The scenery makes you realize that Mt. Bandai is an active volcano.

It is a climbing route that takes about 1 hour one way to get to ``Donnuma''. Proper equipment is required.

“Lake Hibara” is the largest lake in Urabandai and a tourist base

"Lake Hibara" is a lake whose river was dammed by an eruption in 1888. It is the largest lake in Urabandai, with an altitude of approximately 822m, a circumference of the shore of approximately 31km, and a maximum water depth of approximately 31m, as well as the largest volcanic dammed lake in Japan. Located in the center of Urabandai, it has good transportation links and is a base for sightseeing in Urabandai.

Hibara originally flourished as a post town on the old Yonezawa Highway from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. However, an eruption in 1888 caused the town to sink to the bottom of the lake. Traces of this can be seen on the approach to Oyamazumi Shrine and the torii gate, which emerges from the lakebed during times of drought.

Lake Onogawa is famous for smelt and bass fishing.

"Lake Onogawa" is approximately 797m above sea level and approximately 10km in circumference. The source is Onogawa Fudo Falls, a large waterfall with a height of about 25 meters and a width of about 15 meters. Water overflowing from Lake Hibara also flows into Lake Onogawa.

Onogawa Fudo Falls is a beautiful waterfall that cascades into deep greenery, and especially in the middle of winter, the sight of it cascading into a snowy landscape is spectacular. Lake Onogawa is a lake rich in nutrients and is visited by many anglers as a mecca for smelt and bass fishing.

Lake Akimoto, a quiet lake with untouched nature

Lake Akimoto is the second largest lake in Urabandai, located to the east of Lake Onogawa and approximately 736m above sea level and 20km in circumference. It was created when the Nagase River flowing from Lake Onogawa was dammed during an 1888 eruption.

"Lake Akimoto" is located quite far from the tourist center Lake Hibara, so there are not many tourists, but "ice fishing for smelt" from late January to February when the lake surface is frozen is popular among fishing enthusiasts. It is very popular.

Lake Sohara is a small lake with a circumference of 3.5km that is perfect for a walk.

"Lake Sohara" is a small lake with a circumference of about 3.5 km located about 150 m east of Lake Hibara. It is the fourth largest Urabandai and is located at an altitude of approximately 830m, slightly higher than Lake Hibara. The water is a little brown and cloudy because the leaves of the surrounding broad-leaved trees have fallen and decomposed. It is full of plankton and aquatic plants, attracting many wild birds, and is surrounded by walking trails.

Goshikinuma is a beautiful swamp with a mystical swamp displaying a variety of colors and expressions.

The 1888 eruption of Mt. Bandai created several large dammed lakes, such as Lake Hibara and Lake Akimoto, but also created hundreds of small pond-like swamps in this area. There are about 30 such swamps on the west bank of Lake Hibara. Each of the waters in these ponds has a slightly different color and is called the ``Goshikinuma Lakes Group''.

The water in the Goshikinuma Lakes Group is connected to the groundwater in Dozenuma, which contains a lot of hydrogen sulfide (sulfate ions), and when the groundwater appears on the surface, they mix, causing subtle changes in water quality and color. Each one looks different.

The Goshikinuma Lakes and Marshes are located in a relatively flat area with an altitude of 780m to 815m, and are connected by walking trails. The ``Goshikinuma Nature Trail'' is approximately 4km long and is safe for families to walk during the green season (in the winter, it snows, so equipment such as snowshoes is required).

The Goshikinuma Nature Trail has two entrances, one on the Lake Hibara side and the other on the Bishamonnuma side, each with an information center, bus stop, and parking lot.

Among the Goshikinuma Lakes and Marshes, the most famous are Aonuma, Ruri-numa, and Bishamon-numa.

Aonuma

Rurinuma

Bishamon Marsh

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Goshikinuma Nature Trail
• Total length: approx. 4km
• Time required: One-way 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner

Urabandai Plateau entrance (Lake Hibara side)

• Information center: Urabandai Product Center
• Phone number: 0241-32-3751

Goshiki-numa entrance (Bishamon-numa side)

• Information Center: Urabandai Visitor Center
• Phone number: 0241-32-2850

“Oguninuma/Oguninuma Wetland” has a natural monument plant community

Oguninuma is a crater lake of Mt. Nekomagadake (1,404m), which rises to the west of Mt. Bandai, and is said to have been created by volcanic activity about 500,000 years ago.

``Oguninuma'' is over 1000m above sea level, and the surrounding area is a wetland called ``Oguninuma Marsh.'' In early summer, a large colony of daylilies blooms, and has been designated as a national natural monument as the ``Oguninuma Wetland Plant Community.''

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Oguninuma/Oguninuma Wetland
• Phone number: 0241-32-2349 (Urabandai Tourism Association) / 0241-24-5200 (Kitakata Tourism and Products Exchange Association)

Mt. Bandai is located within Bandai-Asahi National Park and has been certified as a global park “Mt. Bandai Geopark.”

INFORMATION

Mt. Bandai Geopark

• URL: Mt. Bandai Geopark

Urabandai Tourism Association

• URL: Urabandai Tourism Association

Bandai Asahi National Park

• URL: Bandai Asahi National Park

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