Explore/Japan/JP 07/Bandai-san Gold Line — Mount Bandai Volcanic Highland Loop
JPInawashiro, JapanEasyPaved

Bandai-san Gold Line — Mount Bandai Volcanic HighlandLoop.

Distance
50 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
700 m
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Curated by Rider · Updated Aug 2026
Overview

Bandai-san Gold Line — Mount Bandai Volcanic Highland Loop.

The Bandai-san Gold Line carves 17.6 km of smooth curves up the flank of Mount Bandai, linking Lake Inawashiro with the lake-dotted Urabandai highland. Volcanic panoramas, beech forest and the cobalt Goshikinuma ponds make it one of Tohoku's finest half-day rides.

Quick facts

SurfacePaved
Distance50 km
Days1
Total climb700 m
DifficultyEasy
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Day-by-day

The route.

ROUTE
7 stops
Start
InawashiroStart · Fuel up in Inawashiro before the climb; last full services until Urabandai.
Scenic
Lake Inawashiro ShoreScenic Point · Mirror-flat Heaven's Mirror Lake with Mt Bandai reflected on calm mornings.
Scenic
Gold Line Inawashiro GateScenic Point · Start of the 17.6 km Gold Line; tight, well-paved curves climb through beech forest.
Pass
Koganedaira ViewpointMountain Pass · Highest lookout on the road; the rugged 1888 caldera face of Mt Bandai fills the view.
Scenic
Sankodai ViewpointScenic Point · Panorama over Lake Inawashiro far below; a favourite autumn-foliage stop.
Scenic
Goshikinuma Five Coloured PondsScenic Point · Cobalt-to-emerald volcanic ponds; short walk if you want to stretch your legs.
End
Lake Hibara / UrabandaiEnd · Largest of the dammed lakes; lodging and cafes in Urabandai mark the end.

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