Mt. Bandai, a famous peak in Fukushima, also known as Aizu Fuji

An active volcano also known as Aizu Fuji

Mt. Bandai is one of the active volcanoes in Fukushima Prefecture, and its base is approximately 10km wide.

It is characterized by its beautiful appearance, and is also called Aizu Fuji. At an altitude of 1,816 meters, it has waxed and waned over the years due to volcanic activity, and has at times experienced repeated large-scale collapses. Although it is difficult during volcanic activity, the volcano is normally very rich in blessings and is famous as one of Fukushima Prefecture's leading tourist destinations.

Photo by M Murakami – R1015467(2012) / Size-adapted.

Mt. Bandai's north and south sides are completely opposite, making the varied topography attractive. The scenery called Aizu Fuji becomes more noticeable when viewed from the south. The mountain is characterized by a pyramidal shape, with its graceful base spreading out towards the foot of the volcano. The scenery harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding countryside and buckwheat fields, making it a great photographic subject regardless of the season. On the north side, the central part has collapsed severely, creating a caldera topography. Volcanic activity on Mt. Bandai began at least tens of thousands of years ago. An ancient eruption created the framework of Mt. Bandai, creating a general mountain range.

The most recent major eruption in 1888 is well-known, and the eruption style is known worldwide in the field of volcanology. When a large explosion occurred and the mountain began to collapse, an avalanche of debris reached the base of the mountain. This avalanche of debris caused many casualties, but the river was dammed and the Urabandai lakescape was created. The area around the lake, which was created by a large eruption during the Meiji period, is now known as one of the most beautiful autumn foliage spots in the country.

In contrast to the rugged caldera topography, the complex colors of the lake combine to make Urabandai's charm synergistically wonderful. There are many leisure spots scattered around Mt. Bandai, and the area welcomes many tourists from inside and outside of Fukushima Prefecture. Many people visit ski resorts during the winter season, but the hot spring resorts around Mt. Bandai are equally popular. During the summer mountain season, many climbers visit Mt. Bandai and can be seen admiring the beautiful alpine plants.

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