Photo By: PIXTA/ akihiro.T
Region
Tohoku
Island
Honshu
Largest City
Fukushima
Population
2,126,998

Inawashiro Snow Paradise

Enjoy gliding down the mountainside surrounded by incredible Fukushima scenery.

By Rachel Crane

Inawashiro Snow Paradise is part of the Snow Paradise ski resort chain, which offers ski and snowboard destinations throughout the Tohoku region. Here, you can enjoy gliding down the mountainside surrounded by typically incredible Fukushima scenery. What makes Inawashiro Snow Paradise really special, though, is the cutting-edge photographic technology that will automatically capture all of your finest moments on the slopes.

Inawashiro Snow Paradise

Inawashiro Snow Paradise

Photo by: PIXTA/ k-mat Immerse yourself in stunning winter scenery.

As part of the Bandai-Asahi National Park, the views at Inawashiro Snow Paradise are predictably stunning. Several of the resort’s eighteen courses overlook the active volcano Mount Bandai, ranked as one of the top one hundred sights in Japan. Beside the mountain is Lake Inawashiro, known as the Heavenly Mirror Lake, for its clear reflection of the peaks above.

While you can appreciate the sites from the slopes, the resort also has several lookout points for enjoying the scenery. The Clear Domes, available for all-day reservation, allow up to six people to admire three-hundred-and-sixty-degree views in a private bubble. Visitors should also make a stop at the Bell of Happiness, which directly overlooks Lake Inawashiro. The bell, a popular Instagram spot, is said to bring joy to anyone who rings it.

On Saturday nights, the landscape is lit up by fantastic fireworks displays. You can enjoy the show from Seikadai Memorial Monument, which commemorates the 2020 Olympic torch relay passing through the park.

Ski Slopes

Inawashiro Snow Paradise

Photo by: PIXTA/Mayumi.K.Photography Time to hit the slopes.

Inawashiro Snow Paradise is a ski resort for everyone. Half of the visitors are beginners, but the resort also offers thrilling courses for experienced winter sports enthusiasts. The wide and gentle central slope in the Base area is the perfect course for first-timers and families. There is also a family-friendly Kids Park and a moving walkway offering easy access to the slopes even for little skiers.

At the other end of the scale, the Minero area is home to one of the most challenging ski courses in Tohoku. After snowfall, skiers can channel their competitive side and enjoy fresh powder on the National Athletic Meet Course. Meanwhile, the Snow Park utilizes a mixture of natural terrain and special equipment to allow snowboarders to show off their best moves.

Cutting-Edge Action Photography

One feature that makes Inawashiro Snow Paradise stand out is the range of motion-sensor photography equipment lining the slopes. Collectively known as Memories 2.0, these services are unique to the resort, making it a one-of-a-kind place to record winter sports memories.

The Memorial Photo Lens automatically takes multi-angle photos at choice spots along the routes. The AI-powered Motion Recorder Side by Side can film scenes of two skiers simultaneously. Finally, the Kicker Recorder automatically captures jumps, kicks and tricks.

Things To Know

Hours and fees

Inawashiro Snow Paradise is open from December to March, but this is subject to change depending on snow conditions. February and March are the best months to visit for sunny weather. Equipment rental and skiing lessons are available. 

Basic skiing hours are 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., though exact timings may vary depending on the date and location. Early morning Sun Salutation skiing is available on Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Late-night skiing is available on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. along with a fireworks show between 6.00 pm and 6.30 pm. 

Equipment rental and skiing lessons are available. Ski and snowboard rental sets for one day begin at ¥4,500 for adults and ¥3,600 for children, with discounts available if booking online.

How To Get There

Address

By train

From Tokyo, take the Tohoku shinkansen to Koriyama station. Change to the Ban-Etsu-Sai line and go to Inawashiro station. A free shuttle bus takes approximately 150 minutes from the station to the resort.

Where To Stay

Bandai Inawashiro Hayama Onsen Villa Inawashiro
  • 7105 Hayama, Yama-gun Inawashiro-machi, Fukushima, 969-3102 Japan
  • ¥10,450 - ¥31,900
  • 0.2 km
Forest Resort Inawashiro Shikinosato
  • 1 Mine, Yama-gun Inawashiro-machi, Fukushima, 969-3102 Japan
  • ¥12,650 - ¥13,090
  • 0.5 km
Shakunagedaira Rental & Cottage All Resort Service
  • 35-1 Izumodan, Yama-gun Inawashiro-machi, Fukushima, 969-3111 Japan
  • ¥19,800 - ¥33,880
  • 4.44/5 (111 reviews)
  • 2.3 km
Inawashiro Lake Side Hotel Minatoya
  • 870 Okinazawa, Yama-gun Inawashiro-machi, Fukushima, 969-3285 Japan
  • ¥9,900 - ¥10,450
  • 2.67/5 (169 reviews)
  • 7.1 km
Urabandai Lake Resort Goshiki no Mori
  • 1171-1 Hibara (Akimoto, Arasunasawayama, Urabandai, Obudaira, Obudairahara, Onogawa, Onogawahara, Kengamine, Kotakamori, Goshikinuma, Jinkurosawayama, Jinkuroyama, Soharayama, Terasawayama, Hebitairaharayama, Yudairayama, Yanabesawayama), Yama-gun Kitashiobara-mura, Fukushima, 969-2701 Japan
  • ¥17,800 - ¥27,800
  • 4.32/5 (1,506 reviews)
  • 8.8 km

Topics: , ,