Overview

Mercure Urabandai Resort and Spa sits on the edge of Bandai-Asahi National Park in Fukushima, about an eight-minute walk from the famous Goshikinuma ponds. These vivid blue-green lakes formed by past volcanic eruptions are one of the most striking natural sights in the Bandai Highlands, and they sit practically on your doorstep. Mount Bandai rises behind the hotel, and the surrounding forests change dramatically with every season.

This is a year-round resort. In summer you hike, fish, and paddle on nearby lakes. In winter you are within easy reach of multiple ski resorts. Right next door, the Morohashi Museum of Modern Art holds one of the world’s largest collections of Salvador Dalí works, with over 300 paintings. The city of Fukushima is about an hour’s drive away for those who want to explore the region’s history and culture. The nearest station, Inawashirobandai, is about 25 minutes by car.

The hotel operates an all-inclusive plan that covers your room, dinner, breakfast, access to the hot spring baths, lounge drinks, snacks, and on-site activities. Note that some drinks and activities carry additional charges, and lunch is not included.

Accommodation

The hotel has 227 rooms across seven room types and two suite categories, all with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, a private bathroom, and views of the surrounding nature.

Classic Room with 1 single bed (17m²): The most compact option, suited for solo travellers.

Classic Comfort Twin Room, 2 single beds and 2 sofa beds, non-smoking (36m²): A standard Western-style room with flexible sleeping arrangements for up to 6 people.

Classic Room with 2 single beds and 2 sofa beds (36m²): Similar layout, up to 6 people.

Classic Room with 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed, dog-friendly (36m²): One of the few rooms at this resort that welcomes dogs, with an in-room toilet, large fabric crate, and food dishes provided for your pet.

Classic Room, Japanese style, 5 futon beds (36m²): Tatami flooring and futon bedding for up to 8 people.

Classic Room, Japanese style, 2 single beds and 3 futon beds (36m²): A mix of Western beds and tatami futon sleeping, for up to 8 people.

Classic Room, Japanese style, 10 futon beds (72m²): The largest tatami-style room, at double the standard size, also for up to 8 people.

Classic Junior Suite with 2 single beds and 3 futon beds (72m²): A spacious mixed-style suite for up to 8 people.

Classic Deluxe Suite with 4 single beds, mountain view (144m²): The largest room in the hotel at 144m², with direct mountain views and space for up to 8 people.

Dining

The hotel’s main restaurant, Locavore, serves breakfast and dinner as buffets, using local ingredients and seasonal produce from the Fukushima region. Dinner includes a wide spread of Japanese and Western dishes with a regional focus, including signature preparations such as oshizushi made with fresh local seafood and vegetables, and a warming Aizu miso broth built on Kitakata ramen stock and simmered with mushrooms such as enoki and nameko.

The all-inclusive plan covers both meals. Lunch is not available at the hotel.

The Lounge runs two daily free-flow sessions for all staying guests. The Social Evening runs from 15:00 to 18:00, with beer, wine, sparkling wine, soft drinks, herbal water, and local snacks. The Night Cap runs from 21:00 to 23:00 with whisky, brandy, Japanese spirits, and other drinks in a quieter setting.

After using the onsen, you can also relax in the Onsen Lounge with Japanese tea.

Onsen and Wellness

The onsen is called Goshiki Onsen and takes its name from the nearby ponds. The baths draw natural hot spring water from local sources and include both indoor and outdoor open-air baths, a sauna, and a dedicated Onsen Lounge for relaxing after your soak. Bathing is complimentary for all staying guests and is included in the accommodation fee.

The outdoor bath has a large garden area around it, making it particularly striking in winter when you can soak surrounded by snow, and during autumn when the foliage turns. Amenities in the bathing area include body soap, shampoo, conditioner, baby soap, toddler bath chairs, and assistance chairs in the indoor baths, with a crib, water cooler, bathroom scales, cotton swabs, hair dryers, and fans in the changing rooms.

Guests with Tattoos

As a general rule, guests with tattoos are not permitted to use the public baths. However, entry is permitted if the tattoo can be fully concealed using two 8cm x 10cm cover stickers, which are sold at the front desk. Contact the hotel before your visit if you have questions about your specific situation.

Facilities

• Locavore restaurant (breakfast and dinner buffets)
• The Lounge (free-flow Social Evening 15:00 to 18:00, Night Cap 21:00 to 23:00)
• Onsen Lounge
• Indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, sauna
• 13 meeting and banquet rooms, including a room seating up to 800 people and a largest room of 490m²
• On-site parking (free)
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• On-site shopping
• Laundry facilities
• Wheelchair-accessible facilities
• Water servers on each room floor

Activities

The Goshikinuma ponds are an eight-minute walk from the hotel and offer one of the most photogenic walking courses in the Tohoku region, passing a series of lakes each with a different colour caused by varying mineral content. The walk is accessible in most seasons and particularly stunning in autumn and winter.

The hotel sits within easy reach of multiple ski resorts for winter snow sports, including Grandeco Snow Resort and Cat Mama Mountain, both known for light powder snow and views of Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro. Snowshoeing tours are also available in the area.

In summer and spring, you can go trekking in the national park, fishing and canoeing on the lakes around Urabandai, or join a guided SUP (stand-up paddleboard) tour on the water.

The Morohashi Museum of Modern Art, immediately next to the hotel, holds over 300 Salvador Dalí works alongside other pieces from its permanent collection.

The historic Aizu region is also accessible as a day trip, offering well-preserved samurai culture, sake breweries, and traditional architecture.

The hotel also offers its own “Local Discovery” activities programme, with experiences inspired by the nature, culture, and people of the surrounding area. Specific activities vary by season.

Additional Features

• Rooms for solo travelers, couples, and large groups
• Dog-friendly rooms available
• Free-flow drinks available in the evening
• Sauna and hot spring baths on-site
• Easy access to lakes and ski resorts
• Located next to a major art museum
• Just 25 minutes from the nearest train station by car
• Buffet dining with seasonal ingredients
• Wheelchair-accessible facilities