Aizu Ski Region Deal
Aizu is a region in northern Honshu in the Tohoku region which is still relatively undiscovered by international visitors. You will find 22 ski areas within two sub-regions: Aizu (the more popular); and Minami Aizu (ie south Aizu). None of the Aizu ski resorts are particularly large, some are medium in size, and others quite small. So whilst these are not typically considered as destination ski resorts, they are ideal to hit-up for a day or two. With little competition for fresh powder, you will find plenty of fresh tracks unlike the larger commercial ski resorts.
Other highlights include:
- Alts Bandai also runs a Cat tour opening up some uncrowded powder runs.
- Alts Bandai is also connected with Nekoma via a 15 minute walking track at the top of the mountain or a 50 minute shuttle bus. Nekoma is more elevated and faces north meaning conditions can be better. Guided back country tours are also available here with an English speaking guide.
The Deal
This inexpensive package provides some quality 4 star accommodation (Monday night to Friday night inclusive) & daily buffet breakfast at the ski-in/ski-out Hoshino Resort Bandai Onsen Hotel and an Aizu area lift pass for 5 days covering all 22 ski resorts in the area. In an effort to promote tourism in the area, the government provided subsidies, which is why the package is such good value. Weekend nights may also be available however they will be at a higher cost so please
enquire to get a quote to include any of those nights.
Getting There
This package could be taken on its own or you could combine it with another leg of your snow adventure in Japan.
The hotel for your stay is ski-in ski-out at the
Alts Bandai Ski Resort. The best way to get to Alts Bandai is to take the high-speed bullet train from Tokyo, which is a fun way to see Japan. You can look at fares and timetables for the trains on
Hyperdia. From Tokyo you can catch the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station (about 1:20 to 1:45 hours), and then a resort shuttle bus for the 49km (approximately 80 minutes) to Alts Bandai (2 schedules in each direction).
Or you can catch a train to the Bandai-machi station, then a free bus from the east exit, which takes about 20 minutes. There are a few buses each day. Another alternative is to take a train then bus from Aizu Wakamatsu Station.
Getting Around Aizu
The Bandai Onsen Hotel is based right at the Alts Bandai ski resort so access to this resort is just a couple of minutes walk or slide to the lifts.
You may choose to spend your whole time just ski/boarding at
Alts Bandai or sample other resorts. To access the other ski resorts, you will need a car so we would highly recommend
renting a car (select "Koriyama Fukushima Japan" for all rental options for the station) from Koriyama shinkansen station to provide maximum flexibility. Driving a car in Japan is relatively easy because you don't have to deal with tyre chains or the like, and navigating is easy because you just put in the telephone number of where you want to go into the GPS. Just be aware that not all vehicles are automatically supplied with snow tyres (which you will need) and none come with roof racks (which you can try and request but often are not an option).
Here are road some distances & ways to get to some of the key Aizu ski areas....
| Resort |
Distance |
Time |
Getting there from your hotel |
| Alts Bandai |
0km |
<5 mins |
Walk to lifts |
| Nekoma |
35km |
15 mins |
Walking trail |
| Inawashiro |
20km |
30 mins |
No shuttle. Car required |
| Grandeco |
32km |
40 mins |
No shuttle. Car required |
| Minowa |
32km |
45 mins |
No shuttle. Car required |
About Bandaisan Onsen Hotel
Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel is a deluxe hotel that’s located ski-in ski-out at Alts Bandai Ski Resort. Mt Bandai Hot Springs Hotel features stylish & modern Japanese décor, western style twin, triple & quad accommodation, a delightful buffet restaurant, bar lounge, retail shop, ski storage, and a lovely onsen. The Alts Bandai hotel also features a sizeable indoor swimming pool.
Where is Bandaisan Onsen Hotel?
The Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel sits at the base of the
Alts Bandai Ski Resort which sits on the flanks of the imposing Mt Bandai (Bandaisan). Alts Bandai is located in the
Aizu ski region of the Fukushima Prefecture of Tohoku (ie northern Honshu).
The Alts Bandai ski resort is close to the little town of Inawashiro and the Inawashiro train station.
Nekoma Ski Resort also sits on Mt Bandai and shuttles connect the two ski resorts.
The hotel is conveniently ski-in ski-out and inter-connected with the day lodges at the base of the ski area.
Hotel Rooms
Some of the deluxe room types include:
- Modern Twin Room: 2 oversized western single beds. Rooms face either Mt Bandai or Lake Inawashiro.
- Modern Triple Room: 3 oversized western single beds.
- Goro-Goro Room: maisonette room with living area downstairs & 3 beds upstairs
- Waku Waku Bunk Bed Room: maisonette room with living area downstairs and 2 bunk beds for up to 4 guests upstairs
All rooms have a private bathroom, fridge, TV, safe, electric pot and hair dryer.
Facilities & Services
The Bandaisan Onsen Hotel has extensive amenities:
- Onsen
- Massage services
- Hot tub
- Sauna
- Indoor swimming pool
- Free wifi
24 hour reception
- English speaking staff
- Lift ticket sales
- Ski lockers
- Gift shop
- Free parking
Dining
Accommodation packages include the option of half board (breakfast & dinner).
The Kisse Kisse restaurant serves a buffet breakfast with a huge range of both Western & Asian cuisine.
For dinner the buffet is also extensive and includes fresh cooked wagu steaks, soba noodles, and tempura.
The hotel also has a library café bar that serves up various beverages including a range of sake from the Aizu region.