I got my revenge! Unlike the previous outing to Tsubakurodake (燕岳) that I had to cancel, this time I could go out in the mountains to enjoy excellent powder snow during two days. The destination was Urabandaï (裏磐梯) in the Ōü mountain range (奥羽山脈), in the Fukushima prefecture (福島県). Located about three hours north of Tōkyō, the region of Urabandaï is a splendid succession of mountains and lacs which belong to the Bandaï-asahi (磐梯朝日国立公園) national park.

This region is mountainous but has a lot of plateau, lacs and lots of areas with not too steep slopes perfect for snowshoeing. From half-day to two days tours, possibilities are infinite. The relief allows you to invent your own itineraries depending on your level and tastes. It is a perfect place to practice snowshoeing the way I enjoy it : wandering freely to meet winter’s nature.

Staying at a lodge in Urabandaï, we dis two nice outings before going back to Tōkyō. The first day we went to the “Yellow Fall“, a yellow fall at the end of the Urabandaï cirque. Ski resorts lifts ease the access to the plateau where numerous routes are possible. The one which leads to the Yellow Fall is a classic loop, short, easy with few altitude difference. We chose not to do the loop but cross the entire plateau from the frozen water fall to the famous Goshikinuma (五色沼) lacs (which trails which goes from lakes to lakes is a nice snowshoeing tour on it’s own.

The second day we used the lift of the Nekoma ski resort (猫魔スキー場) and from the top of the ski resort walked up to Nekomagatake (猫魔ヶ岳) summit, then down to Oguninuma (雄国沼) lac before heading to a parking on the road 459 near Hibarako (桧原湖) lac. It was a great day out. Unfortunately, because of snow fall and low clouds, we had only a 200m visibility. We couldn’t admire panoramas from the top of Nekomagatake and around Oguninuma lake. But snowshoeing in such conditions is great. I really enjoyed it. I often feel like a child, filled with wonder by looking at snow fall. It is a magical and calming atmosphere. Due to a higher altitude than the plateau, the snow conditions and quantities were even better than the previous day adding to our pleasure.

Video gag :

Maps

Maps covering Urabandaï area are:
1/25000地形図、 磐梯山、福島15号-３、NJ-54-22-15-3 (Bandaïsan, Fukushima 15-3, NJ-54-22-15-3)
1/25000地形図、桧原湖 、福島1４号-４、NJ-54-22-14-4 (Hibarako, Fukushima 14-4, NJ-54-22-14-4)
1/25000地形図、中ノ沢 、福島15号-１、NJ-54-22-15-1 (Nakanosawa, Fukushima 15-1, NJ-54-22-15-1)
1/25000地形図、 吾妻山、福島1４号-２、NJ-54-22-14-2 (Azumayama, Fukushima 14-2, NJ-54-22-14-2)

GPX file GPS:
Urabandaï ski resort- Yellow fall – Goshikinuma (about 5 to 6h) : yellowfall-goshikinuma.gpx
Nekoma ski resort – Nekomagatake – Oguninuma – road 459 parking (about 6 to 7h) : nekomagatake-oguninuma-hibarako.gpx . This GPX trace is incomplete ; the part between Nekoishi and Oguninuma is missing. As we changed our itinerary, I erased on purpose our trace between these two points which was not direct.
Read the disclaimer before using the GPX files.

Facts about Urabandai

You will find all the information (mountain lodges, access, security…) regarding the Urabandaï area in this article.