The Goshikinuma lake group and the Urabandai plateau in Fukushima: the walking trail, the colours, and what to reconfirm before you go.

Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 30 October 2026).

Why visit

• Goshikinuma is a group of small lakes and ponds on the Urabandai plateau, coloured by volcanic minerals.
• A single walking trail links the main ponds, so the visit needs no car between stops.
• It pairs with Lake Inawashiro and the Bandai area on a Tohoku road trip.

Top places and highlights

The Goshikinuma trail

A marked walk between the ponds, with boardwalk sections. It is not a loop, so plan a return or a drop-off.

Bishamon-numa

The most photographed of the ponds, with the clearest colour on a still, bright day.

Urabandai plateau

Open highland with viewpoints, ski areas and hot springs, useful as a base rather than a single stop.

Food and drink

• Food is limited around the trail; the plateau has scattered restaurants and roadside stops.
• Opening is seasonal. Reconfirm before you count on a meal there.

Getting there and around

• By car from Koriyama or Aizu-Wakamatsu, or by bus towards Urabandai from the station area.
• Bus frequency is low. Check the current timetable rather than assuming.

Where to stay

• Urabandai has hot spring hotels and pensions on the plateau.
• Inawashiro and Aizu-Wakamatsu are larger bases further out.

Best time to visit

• Autumn colour is the busiest season, and winter brings snow and closed paths.
• Summer is green and cool at this altitude; spring arrives later than in the lowlands.

Practical tips

• Walk the trail in one direction and arrange the return in advance.
• Bring insect protection in summer and shoes for wet boardwalk.
• Treat times and fees as things to reconfirm locally.

Suggested day-trip outline

1. Start at the Goshikinuma trailhead in the morning.
2. Walk the ponds and stop at Bishamon-numa.
3. Continue to a plateau viewpoint and a hot spring before returning.

Before you go

Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.

Explore More of Japan

Published guides that pair with this one:

• Lake Towada Travel Guide: Oirase Stream, Autumn Colour and the Calm Side of Aomori
• Oirase Gorge Travel Guide: Stream Walks toward Lake Towada
• Shirakami-Sanchi Travel Guide: Japan’s Primeval Beech Forest
• Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle Travel Guide: Tsuruga Castle and the Castle Town
• Sendai Travel Guide: Gyutan, Jozenji-dori and the Gateway to Tohoku

Browse every Tohoku guide on this site for the rest of the region.

Sources

• Urabandai Tourism (official) (checked 2026-10-30)
• Kitashiobara Village (official) (checked 2026-10-30)
• JNTO (checked 2026-10-30)