Reading materials

【Introduction to Goshikinuma Hiking】Explanation of time required, clothing, and courses｜Safe walking methods for beginners and seniors

A local guide explains the time required for the Goshikinuma Nature Trail (approximately 3.6 km in total length, about 1.5 hours one way), seasonal clothing, and walking methods suitable for beginners. We will also introduce tips for enjoying the blue pond even if you lack physical strength, such as utilizing a 'private tour' where you walk one way and get picked up by car.

【Aizu Senior Travel】Model course for couples in their 60s and 70s｜Tips for leisurely sightseeing

A local guide proposes a 2-night, 3-day model course for couples in their 60s and 70s to enjoy Aizu and Urabandai without strain. Tips for minimizing walking distance, routes with fewer stairs, and comparisons of transportation options will be provided. We will also introduce private tours that can be enjoyed door-to-door without driving.

【2026 Edition】Urabandai Autumn Foliage Guide｜5 Best Viewing Spots and How to Avoid Crowds

The best time to see the autumn foliage in Urabandai is from early October to early November. A local guide explains 5 best viewing spots, including Goshikinuma, Nakatsugawa Valley, and Bandai Azuma Lake Line, as well as how to avoid parking congestion. Private autumn foliage tours that allow you to visit the best points without driving will also be introduced.

【How to Get to Ouchi-juku】Thorough comparison of taxi, train, and car｜Methods to tour without driving

We thoroughly compare access to Ouchi-juku by train + taxi, car, and bus. A local guide explains the time required and estimated costs from Yunokami Onsen Station, as well as precautions for winter roads. We will also introduce the option of a private tour that visits Tō no Hetsurī and Yunokami Onsen without driving.

Taxi situation at Inawashiro Station | Local guide explains taxi stands, fares, sightseeing use, and alternatives to taxis

For those wishing to take a taxi from Inawashiro Station (JR Ban'etsu West Line) to Urabandai or Goshikinuma. A local guide will candidly explain the location of taxi stands, estimated fares, how to handle situations when you can't catch one on the day, and another option of 'guided transport with a tour guide'.

【Urabandai Nature Exploration】The real reason the blue pond is blue ── The Goshikinuma Lake Group and the secret of its colors

One of the Goshikinuma Lake Group, the blue pond in Urabandai. Tourist guides only say, 'It's a blue pond.' What is the scientific reason for its blueness?

[Aizu Sightseeing & Seasonal Exploration] A forest standing in the lake that appears only for one month in spring ── The submerged forest of Shirakawa Lake

Shirakawa Lake in Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture. For about two months from late March to mid-May, when the lake fills with snowmelt, a phantom scenery appears where the white willows growing on the lakebed seem to stand in the water. A local guide with 50 years of experience narrates this spring-only landscape created by the snowmelt from the Iide Mountain Range and the Shirakawa Dam completed in 1981.

[Urabandai Seasonal Exploration] The paradise of the most Nikko kiku in Japan ── In June, one million blooms in the sky of Ukon-numa Wetland

Urabandai's Ukon-numa Wetland. Designated as a national natural monument in 1957, this high moor is said to have the highest density of Nikko kiku per area, surpassing Oze. The best viewing time is from mid-June to early July. A local guide with 50 years of experience shares the story of this sky paradise that can only be seen here.

[Aizu Historical Exploration] If you wish for three years in a row, your wish will come true once in a lifetime ── Nishiaizu's Oyamatsumi Shrine and the 450-year-old cedar tree avenue

Oyamatsumi Shrine in Nozawa, Nishiaizu Town is an ancient shrine that is said to grant a wish once in a lifetime if you visit for three consecutive years. The path from the worship hall to the main shrine is 4 km long, lined with 450-year-old cedar trees. The Oyamafestival takes place for one month in June. A local guide with 50 years of experience narrates the story of the mountain god of Aizu.

[Aizu Seasonal Exploration] The story of 100,000 blooms that bloom in the rainy season ── How to enjoy the Ayame Festival at Isasumi Shrine

At the outer garden 'Ayame-en' of Isasumi Shrine, the guardian shrine of Aizu, the 'Ayame Festival' is held every year from mid to late June. About 200 varieties and 100,000 irises, hanashobu, and kakitsubata bloom splendidly, attracting over 300,000 visitors annually. A local guide with 50 years of experience shares the scenery that can only be encountered in Aizu during the rainy season.

[Urabandai Nature Exploration] A hill floating in the pond ── The memory of the 1888 eruption told by Nakase-numa and 'Nagareyama'

Urabandai's Nakase-numa. There is a unique landscape where a small hill appears to float in the pond. This is the sediment left by the rockfall from the 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai, known as 'Nagareyama.' A local guide with 50 years of experience shares how the scenery changes when viewed from a geological perspective at this Bandai Geopark certified spot.

[Aizu Historical Exploration] The mountain that 13-year-old boys bravely challenged ── The story of Hōyō-ji and the Shugendō of Iide Mountain

Hōyō-ji in Aizumisato Town. Established in the 4th year of Yōrō (720 AD), this is one of the oldest temples in Aizu, which once served as the 'Betto-ji' overseeing the sacred peak of Iide Mountain, where 13-year-old boys bravely challenged themselves in Shugendō. A local guide with 50 years of experience narrates the traces of ink inscriptions remaining on the temple's pillars.

[Aizu Historical Exploration] Tokui Bosatsu ── Why did he abandon the capital and come to Aizu? The story of the oldest temple in Tōhoku, Eijitsu-ji, opened at the foot of Mount Bandai

In the early Heian period, a monk from the capital in Nara traveled all the way to the Tōhoku region of Aizu. Tokui Bosatsu. He opened Eijitsu-ji, the oldest temple in Tōhoku, at the foot of Mount Bandai. Why did he choose Aizu? A local guide with 50 years of experience shares the story of the national historic site remaining in Bandai Town.

[Urabandai Historical Exploration] A village submerged at the bottom of the lake. The memory of Hibara Village erased by the eruption of Mount Bandai on July 15, 1888

Lake Hibara in Urabandai. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in Japan. However, did you know that there was once a prosperous village at the bottom of this lake? A local guide with 50 years of experience shares the story of the eruption of Mount Bandai on the morning of July 15, 1888.

Urabandai Autumn Leaves 2026 | Best Viewing Spots, Hidden Gems, and Private Tours for Families

A thorough explanation of the best viewing times, hidden spots, and recommended courses for the 2026 autumn leaves in Urabandai. We introduce breathtaking spots like Goshikinuma and Lake Hibara that can be enjoyed with children, along with ways to enjoy private tours.

Fukushima Family Travel Complete Guide | Recommended Spots and Tips for Enjoying Private Tours with Children

This is a must-read guide for planning a family trip to Fukushima. We carefully select and introduce recommended spots in Urabandai, Aizuwakamatsu, and Inawashiro that can be enjoyed with children. Let's utilize private guided tours to create a trip that satisfies the whole family without the stress of travel.

Aizuwakamatsu Family Travel Model Course | A 1-Night, 2-Day Plan to Enjoy History and Nature with Children

We introduce a model course for sightseeing in Aizuwakamatsu with the family. This 1-night, 2-day plan combines historical spots that can be enjoyed with children, such as Tsuruga Castle, Sazaedo, and Nanokamachi Street, with the nature of Urabandai.

Urabandai Complete Guide for Family Sightseeing | 10 Nature Experience Spots to Enjoy with Children

This is a complete guide for enjoying family sightseeing in Urabandai. We introduce 10 nature spots that can be enjoyed with the family, such as Goshikinuma and Lake Hibara. Experience a safe and secure trip with a private guided tour.

【Aizu Historical Exploration】The Temple of the Monk Who Defeated the Yokai 'Nine-Tailed Fox'? Walking Through the Deep Grounds of Gigenji in Kitakata and Atsushio Onsen

【Aizu Historical Exploration】Why Did the Men of Kitakata Build 'Storehouses'? The Business Philosophy Living in a Town of 4,000 Storehouses

【Aizu Cultural Exploration】What Are the Codes Hidden in the Curved Roofs and Columns? Understanding the Differences Between Aizu and Kyoto/Nara Through 'Architectural Structures'

【Aizu Historical Exploration】What Is the 'Tragic Love of the Late Edo Period' Hidden in the White Western-style Mansion? The Imperial Family's Beloved Villa in Inawashiro, 'Tenkyo-kaku'

【Aizu Historical Exploration】Going to Welcome 'That Person' Who Returns During Obon. The Unique Custom of 'Fuyukizawa Pilgrimage' at Hachiyouji Temple

【Aizu Historical Exploration】The Comedic Drama of a Sculptor Chased by Deadlines? A Slightly Amusing Mystery of the Buddha Statues at Kamiumi Yakushido

【Aizu・Architectural Exploration】Is it just decoration? The terrifying mechanisms of battle hidden in the beautiful "Tenshu".

【Historical Exploration】A super black march costing 400 million yen a day? The shocking reality of "Sankin-kotai" that is completely different from period dramas.

【Aizu・Architectural Exploration】The mystery of the wall-less vast space and the "Seven Wonders." The "Nagadoko" of the newly colored Kumano Shrine in golden hues.

【Aizu・Historical Exploration】A local tourism initiative devised by a great lord? The economic policy hidden in the Aizu Thirty-Three Kannon.

【Aizu・Cultural Exploration】Why does Kannon change its appearance? Basic knowledge of "Buddha statue appreciation" that makes temple visits 100 times more interesting.

【Aizu・Historical Exploration】A great death without long suffering? A pilgrimage drive to the "Aizu Korori Three Kannon" connected to modern "end-of-life activities."

【Aizu・Architectural Exploration】Did Da Vinci's blueprint come to Aizu? The mystery of the bizarre architecture "Sazae-do" that makes you lose your sense of balance.

【Aizu・Historical Exploration】A giant turtle that walks out every night? The mystery of the tomb of a great lord who broke the shogunate's taboos at "Tsuchin Shrine."

【Aizu・Historical Exploration】A network that calms the anger of the earth. The mystery of the "Twelve Yakushi" spread throughout Aizu.

Starting from the "Aizu Five Yakushi" that calmed the great eruption of Mount Bandai, a grand prayer network of "Aizu Twelve Yakushi" spread across Aizu. We unravel the historical mystery that saved people from disasters and diseases.

【Aizu・Historical Exploration】The mystery of the spiritual cave that only sees light on the morning of the winter solstice. A place of prayer built on a harsh mountaintop, "Kitayama Yakushi."

Quietly standing on the mountaintop of Kitashiobara Village is "Kitayama Yakushi." We unravel the history of the harsh nature of Urabandai and the prayers of its people, including the custom of visiting the two children, the inner shrine that only sees light on the winter solstice, and the torii sunk at the bottom of the lake.

【Aizu・Art Exploration】Why are "National Treasures" concentrated in a small village temple? The mystery of the "barrier" hidden in Katsutaka-ji.

At Katsutaka-ji in Yukawa Village, 12 Heian period Buddha statues, including the National Treasure "Yakushi Nyorai Sitting Statue," are gathered. We unravel the legend of the barrier of the Aizu Five Yakushi and the mystery of Buddhist art connected to Aizu lacquer.

【Aizu・Historical Exploration】The mystery of the genius monk who fought Saicho. Why was "Keijitsu-ji," the "Hieizan of Tohoku," built in Bandai?

The national historic site "Eijiji Ruins" in Bandai Town. Why did the genius monk Tokui, who engaged in the largest Buddhist debate in Japan with Saicho, build the "Hiei Mountain of Tohoku" in the land of Aizu, far from the capital? We unravel the romance of that history.

[Aizu & Folk Exploration] The old woman of hell becomes the "God of Safe Childbirth"? The prayers of women living in Inawashiro for "Onbasama"

"Onbasama (Yubai-do)" quietly stands by the shores of Lake Inawashiro in Sekiwaki. Why did the deity of the Sanzu River, Datsuba, become the God of Safe Childbirth? We delve into the deep folk beliefs and history of women's prayers that thrive in Aizu.

[Aizu & History Exploration] Why do Buddhas sit in "Seiza"? The hidden drama of the "Aizu Great Buddha" at Ganjouji in Kitakata

The "Aizu Great Buddha" at Ganjouji in Kitakata City. We deeply explore the historical drama of Buddhist culture that thrives in Aizu, including the rare seated Bodhisattva in Tohoku and the memories of villagers hidden behind the broken halo.

[Filial Piety Travel] Touring Aizu and Urabandai in an Alphard. A private tour experience that assures parents with weak legs and hips

A report on a completely private tour aimed at those who want to gift travel to their parents but are worried about their legs and hips. With zero travel stress in a chartered Alphard, we introduce a day spent touring Aizu and Urabandai at the pace of the parents.

[Aizuwakamatsu] A photography journey with a group of four camera girls - A private guide creates the "best shot" and "local flavors"

We guide a group of four women who have a hobby in photography to Aizu's shooting spots. We introduce the private tour experience that enjoyed encounters unique to the area while visiting Ouchi-juku, Nanokamachi, and the Sazae-do.

[Tour Report] Girls' trip from Sendai! A sparkling and healing tour of Inawashiro's "Adult Holiday"

On February 26, 2026, we held a private tour with three women visiting from Sendai, exploring Inawashiro Town in Fukushima Prefecture. We report on a blissful moment themed around "sparkling and healing."

[Fukushima & Aizu] A custom-made journey woven into the heart. Three stories of "Tabinoito" touring in an Alphard

In February 2026, we report on a completely private tour "Tabinoito" in a luxury Alphard. We introduce a special journey in Aizu woven by three families.

[Limited to One Group per Day] Exclusively experiencing the "Miracle Blue" of Urabandai and Aonuma. A completely custom-made winter trip exploring Kitakata's sauce cutlet rice and famous hot springs

From the early morning Aonuma to Kitakata gourmet and Aizu's famous hot springs. We guide you through a completely custom-made special day that does not exist in existing tours.

Celebrate your important anniversary with the special snowy scenery of Urabandai. A performance and surprise made possible by a completely private tour.

Propose or celebrate your wedding anniversary in the snowy landscape of Urabandai. We introduce a special plan unique to completely private tours.

【Selected by Local Guides】Five exquisite lunch spots and day-use hot springs in Urabandai that you want to visit after the tour.

After a walk in the snowy fields, enjoy blissful moments with local flavors and hot springs. We introduce the recommended soba shops and hidden hot spring facilities in Urabandai by local guides.

【Reset Yourself】Enjoy winter in Urabandai all to yourself. Reasons why 'Private Guide' is chosen for adult solo travelers.

Indulgence without compromise. Experience the tranquility of Urabandai all to yourself with a completely private tour for solo travelers. The charm of one-on-one guiding that balances safety and freedom.

【User Guide】About application methods, payment, and cancellation policy.

We will explain in detail the flow of booking Tabinoito's private tours, payment methods, cancellation policies, and other important commitments.

【Reliable Response】What if the weather turns bad? Decision-making and safety standards for Urabandai private tours.

Rest assured even in rain or snow. We explain the criteria for holding Urabandai tours, the timing for cancellation decisions, and alternative plans tailored to the weather, prioritizing customer safety.

【Thorough Comparison】Snowshoe experiences in Urabandai. Which is right for you, group tours or private guides?

Group tours costing a few thousand yen versus private guides costing tens of thousands of yen. We thoroughly explain the decisive differences behind the price gap from a professional perspective. What are the differences in time management, quality of information, and flexibility?

【Beginners Welcome】Custom-made to fit your physical strength. Achieve a 'non-tiring' snow mountain walk with a Urabandai custom tour.

Even those who are not confident in their physical strength can rest easy. Enjoy the snowy world without strain with a completely private guide that matches your pace 100%. Full support for transportation and equipment.

【Early Morning Only】To the untouched silver world of Urabandai. A private tour of tranquility that leaves 'the first footprints' in the fresh snow.

At 7:30 AM, experience perfect silence in a world of minus 10 degrees. Exclusive private tours showcasing special phenomena like diamond dust and frost flowers that cannot be seen during the day.

[Latest 2026] No car? No problem! The charm of a completely private tour that dominates winter in Urabandai and a guide to preparation that won't fail.

The charm of a completely private tour to enjoy winter in Urabandai safely, along with a guide for clothing and items that won't fail. With pick-up service, no driving required, enjoy the quiet snowfields and winter scenery of Goshikinuma at "your own pace."