Mount Bandai — Local services in Inawashiro

磐梯山 • Mt. Bandai 1,816 m • 5,958 ft

We began our hike at the Inawashiro trailhead. At least when we went, there were hardly any people! The Inawashiro entrance seems to be really popular in the winter, since it’s where the ski slopes are as well.

If you want, you can hike up the path along the ski slopes to get to the quarter mark, but I recommend taking the ski lift. The cost is ¥1600, but it’s worth it. You don’t want to tire yourself out hiking the steep ski slopes before the hike even begins.

At the end of the second ski lift is when the hike up the mountain really begins. The first part is relatively steep, but the middle of the hike, when you go around the rim of the collapsed volcano, is very enjoyable and easy. However, the last 30 - 45 minutes of the hike are pretty difficult, but not impossible!

The summit is quite large, and there’s room for a lot of people, though when we went, clouds were blocking the view. Oh well! There’s always next time!

Be VERY careful on the way down! At least for the Inawashiro trail, there’s so many loose rocks and slippery boulders that made the hike down pretty challenging, and even dangerous! I fell on my butt several times. But, it was pretty funny. Anyways—be careful!

Overall, it was an enjoyable hike! I’d go again and try the Happodai trail, which is more popular. Maybe it’s easier and a little better maintained. On a scale of a baby (so easy a baby could climb the mountain) to Tom Cruise (only Tom Cruise could climb the mountain) I’d say a well trained high school athlete would need to stop and rest several times throughout the hike.

*Side note—the ski lift closes at 2:10 PM!! Plan your visit carefully if you take the Inawashiro trail. Me and my buddies came down at 4:00 and had to slide down the ski slopes (without snow) and though it was pretty fun, our pants were stained brown by the end of it! It looked like we pooped ourselves.

Good luck, and happy...

I had a chance to hike Bandai san on 20/08/2020. I would like to share my experience here hoping to help those who like to hike. There are a couple of trials. I used the one starts at Happodai 八方台 This is the easiest and shortest trial. I went there by car. I saw a taxi ad posted there. I will you can get there by taxi as well. There is a free parking area, toilets and a resting area while waiting for a taxi at the trailhead. No drinkable water. I started at 8:15 and got the peak at 10:10 The path is not much challenging. I would say 2 out of 5. There are some rocky areas but not to steep. There are many view points. The weather was clear and I was blessed with spectacular scenery. There us a small restaurant, resting area near to summit. There is delicious natural fresh water here. You can fill out your bottle. After this point it says 500 m left. It is a bit more challenging yet amazing view. There is an entrance just next to the water fountain. Once you reach the peak you will be blessed with 360 degree view. We could see far places and big mountains (Adatara, Issaikyo, iide etc). There are many lakes around and it was looking awesome from the top. We didn’t want to leave. After a long break here we returned back from the same path. There is a flower garden sign on the way. We just went to check. There was not much flower. I believe it would be great in May. We came back to the parking area at 12:10. So about 4 hours hike including resting time. It was a great one and would be happy to challenge myself with the other trials next time. Like this comment if you think it will be helpful...

磐梯山の登山ガイド

磐梯山（ばんだいさん）は、福島県に位置し、標高1,816メートルの山です。火山として知られ、「会津富士」とも呼ばれる美しい姿が特徴です。磐梯山は四季を通じて登山者に人気があり、山頂からは猪苗代湖や裏磐梯の五色沼、さらには遠くの山々を望むことができる絶景が広がります。特に、夏の高山植物や秋の紅葉が見事で、登山初心者から経験者まで幅広く楽しめる山です。

また、1888年の噴火によって現在の独特の地形が形成され、歴史的にも興味深い山として知られています。

磐梯山の登山ルート

磐梯山には、初心者でも登りやすいルートから、難易度の高いルートまで、複数の登山コースがあります。一般的には、猪苗代口（いなわしろぐち）ルート、裏磐梯ルート、八方台ルートが多くの登山者に利用されています。

1. 猪苗代口（表磐梯）ルート

猪苗代口ルートは、磐梯山で最もポピュラーなルートで、初めての登山者やファミリーに人気があります。猪苗代スキー場の駐車場からスタートし、ゆるやかな登りが続く比較的歩きやすい道です。途中、樹林帯を進みながら山の自然を楽しむことができ、後半に進むにつれて岩場が現れます。

標準的なコースタイムは、登りで約3時間、下りで2時間程度です。山頂付近では視界が開け、猪苗代湖や周囲の山々を一望できる大パノラマが広がります。夏場は涼しい風が吹き、快適に登山を楽しめるため、特に初心者におすすめです。

2. 裏磐梯（五色沼）ルート

裏磐梯ルートは、裏磐梯エリアの五色沼からスタートするルートです。このルートは自然豊かで、五色沼をはじめとする湖沼群の景観を楽しみながら登ることができます。登山道はやや急勾配な箇所もありますが、登山者にとっては非常に魅力的なルートです。

裏磐梯ルートは、比較的距離が長いため、体力に自信のある中級者向けのコースです。登りで約4〜5時間、下りで3〜4時間程度かかることが多く、猪苗代口ルートに比べてチャレンジングです。しかし、その分、裏磐梯の大自然を堪能でき、登山の達成感もひとしおです。

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