#Urabandai

[kindafondawanda]

Kawase Hasui ~ Morning at Aomuna Pond, Urabandai

[parthatokyo]

Urabandai in Fukushima prefecture is beautiful in Autumn

[el-pollo-gigantes]

Urabandai, early spring scenery by shinichiro* 裏磐梯 桧原湖 https://flic.kr/p/24kHjZQ

[thehikingviking]

Bandai-san, Fukushima Prefecture

Bandai-san last erupted on July 15th, 1888. Dark ash rose 3-4 times higher than the summit, forming a giant mushroom cloud. Lava spewed from Ko-Bandai-san, the north peak and flowed down to Hibara village killing 500 people and 57 stock animals. 11,032 households were damaged or destroyed. Rivers were dammed and three large lakes were formed; Onogawa, Hibara and Akimoto. Disaster would later lead to good fortune. The area of devastation slowly became a tourist destination for future generations. This area, now called called Urabandai, became a National Park. The area is famous for sight seeing, especially when the shadow of Bandai-san can be seen reflecting on the lakes. While the views of Bandai-san from the north are rugged and comprised of various ridges and old lava flows, the views from the south fixate on a magnificent looking cylindrical cone. Bandai-san, which is based on the on-reading of 磐梯山 Kanji was originally named Iwa Hashi-yama, the kun-reading of the same Kanji. It is believed that the word Iwa Hashi, which roughly translates to boulder chair, derives from the clastic piles of volcanic rock debris that form a wall near the summit. Famous songs, haiku's and books have been written about Bandai-san, however it caught my attention because it resides in Kyuya Fukada's book Nihon Hyaku-meizan, which documents the "One Hundred Mountains of Japan," and for that reason I wanted to climb it.

A little over 134 years later, I landed in Narita and was greeted by my wife outside the gate. She had been in Japan over the past three weeks with our son Leif. We drove two hours to her childhood home in Utsunomiya. I met Leif outside of at a restaurant and he seemed somewhat unsure if it was really me. I picked him up and a wave of emotion went through me. We had been separated for far too long. Asaka and I were initially supposed to spend a romantic 3 night hiking trip up north together, but we both recognized that we would be happier if Leif joined. The extra effort of carrying him up each mountain would be worth it.

The next morning, Asaka, Leif and I drove two hours north to Inawashiro. Asaka plannedall the logistics so I left my weary, jetlagged brain on relax mode. She told me the hike would take two hours, so we were in no rush that morning. We arrived at the ski resort and purchased our lift tickets, saving us 1,500 feet of gain. I was a little worried the resort wouldn’t let Leif ride the chair lift, however this never ended up being a concern for any of the chair lifts we rode on the various mountains across out trip.

I rode solo with Leif on the second lift, since he clearly expressed that he wanted to sit on the chair rather than in my lap.

After a somewhat time consuming ride, we finally made it to the top of the second and final ski lift. Down below was Lake Inawashiro.

We had a quick lunch right there on the trail as we enjoyed the views. We then strapped Leif into the back of the carrier and we started up the steep trail.

When packing for international flights, one often has limited space and has to make choices on what or what not to bring. I decided against bringing trekking poles, as they take up a lot of space, however now I was regretting it. Leif was now a toddler, and weighed much more than when he was an infant, so I could have used the poles for extra balance. The heat and humidity also became apparent. It took only a few minutes for me to become completely drenched in sweat.

I studied the track as I struggled up the trail. I noticed the hike was broken up into 3 general sections; steep, gradual and steep. I was making slower progress than I expected, and I quickly realized that Asaka’s suggestion that the hike would take only 2 hours was dead wrong. We had to climb 2,300 vertical feet between the top of the ski lift to the summit. We would be lucky to make it to the top in two hours, especially considering that I had a kid on my back. Then there was Asaka, who was also carrying her own baby. She was more than 7 months pregnant, and in no condition to be straining her body. To make matter worse, Asaka informed me that the final lift down was scheduled for 2:10pm. I was not exactly happy with this update, but resolved to go through with it.

We passed underneath the bonus peak Akahani-san and after 0.9 miles we finished the first steep part of the hike. I had averaged just under 2 miles per hour after climbing about 800 vertical feet with the 30+ pound child on my back. This may seem slow, but I was a week removed from the Sierra Challenge, and in possibly the best hiking shape of my life. Asaka was a little bit quicker than me.

We then transitioned into the gradual section of the hike which was a great relief. We were able to pick up the pace here. There was water everywhere and the surrounding vegetation was a deep green. I felt like I was in a Jurassic Park movie. The trail passed alongside Numanohira Meadow, the location of an ancient crater that formed during an eruption that dates back to the year 806.

The gradual section ended after another 0.9 miles. I now had one final 0.9 mile push ahead of me, however it would be even steeper than the first section, entailing about 1,200 ft of vertical gain. I could do nothing other than put my head down and push.

The ridge reached a saddle between Bandai-san and a very prominent bonus peak to the east. I followed the ridgeline as it climbed to the southwest.

To the north were Lake Hibara and Nishi-Azuma-yama.

Even though we were both carrying babies, Asaka and I were the fastest up and down the mountain that day. Meanwhile, I was constantly bombarded with endless compliments from the other hikers; sugoi, kawaii, great father, etc. At first this was nice, but by hour 3 it was starting to get old. Meanwhile, Asaka hardly got any compliments, and I think only one other person on the mountain noticed she was pregnant.

There was a hut as we neared the top, and large crowds were gathered here, either preparing for the final push or recovering from their earlier climb. This was typical Japanese Hyaku-meizan hiking. It’s hard to find a true wilderness experience while chasing the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.

I now started to make headway in front of Asaka. I just wanted to get Leif to the top before he could start complaining, so I pushed hard. 

In the end I paced myself with a young child and her father. We passed almost everyone except for a couple people, who were freshly reenergized after buying an ice cream and a soda pop from the hut down below.

While the brush was cleared along the trail, this was done with short people in mind. I ended up having to bend over a lot so that Leif wouldn’t smash into the branches overhead.

I beat Asaka to the summit by about 10 minutes. I was drenched in sweat. The summit was covered with dragonflies and people, giving it a Colorado 14er feel.

I took Leif out of the carrier and tried to drink some water, but Leif started crying. I couldn’t calm Leif down and I began to feel embarrassed as I looked like some stupid gaijin who couldn’t control his own kid. Finally Asaka joined us and we were able to calm him down.

To the east were Minowa-yama, Tetsu-san and Adatara-yama.

To the south was Lake Inawashiro.

To the west was the Aga River Valley.

To the north was Lake Hibara.

Asaka tried telling me that one of the lakes down below was connected to the Sea of Japan. What?? She’s lucky she’s pretty.

We had a little more than an hour to make it back down to the chair lift. We hurried as fast as we could, having to stop every few minutes for a traffic jam. It doesn’t seem like downhill has the right of way over here. Also people don’t move over. When given the opportunity, Asaka would shoot by every slow ojisan and obasan along the trail. There should be a rule where if a 7 month pregnant lady passes you, you should be banned from the mountain for at least a year. We stopped at a spring seeping directly out of the mountain. I was low on water and decided to fill up my water bottles straight from the source without treatment. The water was very fresh! Even with this extra boost, I doubted we were going to make it, and I did not want to hike down the ski run which was now a big grass hill. I was mostly worried about Asaka's condition, and I didn't want to push her too hard. Somehow, we made it back down to the chair lift at 2:06pm, giving us 4 minutes to spare. 

We had an enjoyable ride back down to the car.

We even found some entertainment for Leif.

We were surprised to spot a troop of monkeys on our drive out. 

I would have liked to climb the two bonus peaks, but it was just too hot and we didn’t have enough time. Perhaps I could have done these if the trip was planned a little better, but that’s what happens when you delegate. We then drove an hour north to the onsen where we planned to sleep. It was an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place to spend the night.

[h-shirota]

裏磐梯 五色沼 (福島県) Urabandai Goshikinuma (Fukushima Prefecture) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClBAFfbJtyp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[city-cost]

Just came back from a “workation” in the Urabandai region of Fukushima Prefecture.  Always felt that I might struggle with finding the right balance between work and vacation during a “workation,” and it turned out to be the case.  Most of the time I just wanted to ogle the fall colors -- like those found around the ponds of Goshikinuma.

More from the Urabandai experience: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/City-Cost/GOWXn-living

[hi-technique]

Green Air by tez-guitar on Flickr

[freedomtotalk]

<strong>In the woods - 2 <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bernardlanguillier/">by Bernard Languillier</a></strong>

[photoconcerto]

ペンション　ヴァン・ブラン　～お食事編　2021秋 B&B Vin Blanc, French dinner and Continental breakfast included, Autumn 2021

2泊の夕食・朝食のメニューは以下の通りでした。ボリューム十分で、美味しかったでした。

夕食はフランス料理で、オードブル、スープ、魚料理、肉料理、パン、デザートです。メインの魚と肉は、初日がサーモンとビーフ、二日目は帆立とポークでした。今回はせっかくですので会津名産　馬刺しのカルパッチョを追加でお願いしました。普段、馬刺しはほとんど食べる機会がありません。赤唐辛子にニンニクを加えたペーストをつけて食べましたが、美味しく頂けました。基本コースでも十分な分量がありますので、初日は食べ過ぎ状態でした。

ワインはいろいろ置かれているようです。詳しく見ていませんが、赤はボルドー、ロゼは南フランス、白はドイツが多いような感じでした。

朝食は、いわゆる洋食のコンチネンタルです。サラダ、卵料理、ソーセージかベーコン、パンです。ジャムは手作りのフランス風ジャムが各種出てきますが、その中で緑色のルバーブのコンフィチュールの味が印象的でした。お土産用にも買ったのですが、自宅でも好評でした。

夜も朝も基本はパンのようですので、ご飯が必要な方は事前に連絡しておく必要があるようです。

1泊目

夕食　フランス料理 ワイン　３色のグラスワインセット（ボルドー・赤、ランドック・ロゼ、ドイツ・白） オードブル　帆立のテリーヌと牛生ハム オプション料理　会津名産　馬刺しのカルパッチョ スープ　高原の収穫スープ 魚料理　秋鮭の会津味噌ソース 肉料理　黒毛和牛のルバーブソース パン デザート　りんごのクラムケーキとビスタチオ・アイス

朝食　洋食（コンチネンタル） ミルク、コーヒー サラダ、スクランブルエッグ、ソーセージ、フルーツ 自家製の焼立てパン、手作りのフランス風ジャム、バター

2泊目

夕食　フランス料理 ワイン　グラスの赤ワイン（ボルドー） オードブル　スモーク２種　合鴨とサーモン スープ　香り枝豆のスープ 魚料理　帆立のコキーユ 肉料理　エゴマ豚のいちじくソース パン デザート　ニューヨーク・チーズケーキとビターチョコアイス

朝食　洋食（コンチネンタル） ミルク、コーヒー サラダ、スクランブルエッグ、ベーコン、フルーツ 自家製の焼立てパン、手作りのフランス風ジャム（ルバーブのコンフィチュールなど）、バター

B&B Vin Blanc  Urabandai  Japan, October 2021,  iPhone SE We can look at the enlarged images clicking the original ones.

[jojo0429]

2020.12.20 HOTELLI AALTO ⑤ ・ 翌日は朝食を食べたあと、朝風呂へ。 ・ チェックアウトまでのんびり過ごして、ホテルを満喫しました♪ ・ 朝、従業員の方達が車の雪下ろし&雪掻きをしてくれていて、雪掻きの大変さを知っているだけに、申し訳なかったです(;_;) ・ ・ 帰りに、地域共通クーポンで牛タンを食べて帰宅。 残ったクーポンは、2人で山分け♬ ・ Go to Travelのおかげで、かなりお得に泊まる事ができました。 (しかも宮城出張と重なったので、距離も近く��ってラッキー⭐︎) ・ でも、Go toがなくてもまた泊まりたいくらい、とーっても素敵なホテルでした…♡ 今度は違う季節に来てみたいな。 ・ ・ #ホテリアアルト #hotelliaalto #ホテル #北欧インテリア #観光 #旅行 #福島旅行 #裏磐梯 #福島 #designershotel #hotel #urabandai #fukushima #instagood #instadaily #instagramjapan #travel #travelstagram #travelphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CLrNE4OM7nU/?igshid=1cog0do177yf1

[rhibrie]

pure white resort by peaceful-jp-scenery (busy) Via Flickr: Urabandai, Nekoma ski resort 猫魔スキー場 It was beautiful frost covered trees. スキー場での一コマです。樹氷が綺麗でした。 Kitashiobaramura, Fukushima pref, Japan

[yasudai]

#裏磐梯 #urabandai #fukushima https://www.instagram.com/p/B2V79EDgMku/?igshid=19nwtziuh5qga

[kotaka-kun]

5.30.17

Urabandai, Fukushima, Japan

[el-pollo-gigantes]

Urabandai: Lake Akimoto Golden Reflection by shinichiro* 裏磐梯 秋元湖 https://flic.kr/p/2mjCgrb

[gr28mm]

裏磐梯フォレスト・スプリングス 2019

[japonesices]

<strong>Bits of cold Japan - 2 <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bernardlanguillier/">by Bernard Languillier</a></strong> <br /><i>Via Flickr:</i> <br />Images captured in the breathtakingly beautiful Urabandai area in Northern Japan.

A mild winter so far gave us the chance to witness these early December sceneries one month late.

All images captured with the new Nikon 70-200 f2.8 E FL on the D810. This lens is simply amazingly good. Otus quality in a zoom lens. A first in my book.