Koriyama Station
Koriyama is a station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line and nearest major station to the popular Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai, more simply referred to just as ‘Bandai Ski Resort’. On this page you will find the following information:
— Train Lines / Services to Koriyama Station
— Getting to Hoshino Alts Bandai Resort
— Rail Passes Covering Travel to Koriyama
— Purchasing & Activating a JR Pass
— Koriyama Tourist Information
Located in the city of Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture, the station is around 227KM from Tokyo – a journey that takes only 75 to 95 minutes thanks to the Tohoku Shinkansen. Smaller, local lines also operate to and from the station, with bus services heading to regional destinations including the popular ski resort of Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai – see below for details.
It is important to note that this page is intended for international visitors who will primarily be interested in using the shinkansen and does not include complete information about all services and facilities at the station.
TRAIN LINES / SERVICES TO KORIYAMA STATION
Koriyama Station is serviced by multiple lines of which the Tohoku Shinkansen will be of most interest to international visitors:
TOHOKU SHINKANSEN
Running from Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station, the Tohoku Shinkansen is the longest line of Japan’s legendary ‘Bullet Train’ network. Stops include:
Tokyo / Ueno / Omiya / Oyama / Utsunomiya / Nasu-Shiobara / Shin-Shirakawa / Koriyama / Fukushima / Shiroishi-Zao / Sendai / Furukawa / Kurikoma-Kogen / Ichinoseki / Mizusawa-Esashi / Kitakami / Shin-Hanamaki / Morioka / Iwate-Numakunai / Ninohe / Hachinohe / Shichinohe-Towada / Shin-Aomori
Multiple services run along the line, of which the Yamabiko, Nasuno and Tsubasa services stop at Koriyama – making it easy to get to. The earliest services bound for Koriyama depart just after 06:00 with the latest service around 21:45. Shinkansen services operate from Platform 11 to 13 at the station. Travelling from Tokyo to Koriyama takes between 75 to 95 minutes (depending on which service you choose) and costs: non-reserved JPY7810 / reserved JPY8340 / Green Car JPY12,000 / Gran ClassJPY15,150*. For more detailed information about using the Tohoku Shinkansen including explanation of the services, fares and timetables, please use the link above.
OTHER TRAIN LINES
A handful of local lines run to and from the station including the:
Banetsu West Line bound for Inawashiro and Aizu-Wakamatsu including a stop at Bandaimachi – the nearest station to Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai.
Tohoku Main Line bound for Shikarawa, Kuroiso, Nihonmatsu and Fukushima.
Suigun Line bound for Iwaki, Ishikawa and Mito.
Ban’etsu East Line bound for Miharu and Iwaki.
As noted above, Bandaimachi Station is the nearest station to Hoshino Resorts Ski Resort however unless you have a strong reason to head there, it will be more convenient to use bus services running from Koriyama Station to the resort.
*Prices are valid as of March 2022 but subject to change.
GETTING TO HOSHINO ALTS BANDAI RESORT
Koriyama is the nearest major station to Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai and given its function as a shinkansen station, heading to the Bandai via the Koriyama is the easiest way to reach the resort. Through winter – typically from the last week of December through to the end of March (dates vary by season) – two buses run from the station to the resort departing Koriyama Station at 08:15 and 15:20 and arriving at Bandai at 09:35 and 16:40 respectively. For travellers returning from the resort, two services operate to the station daily departing Bandai at 13:20 and 17:25 and arriving at the station at 14:40 and 18:45 respectively.
Buses depart from the stop marked ‘To Alts Bandai Ski Resort’ located between Bus Stop No.6 and No.7, outside the station’s West Exit. Fares costs: Adults JPY1000 / Children: JPY500 one-way. Advanced bookings are required and can be made online via the Aizu Bus Company website (Japanese language only).
RAIL PASSES COVERING TRAVEL TO KORIYAMA
There is no escaping the fact that travel using the shinkansen and other rapid services is expensive. Given the speed and distances covered by these trains, travellers should think of them much like taking a flight, with tickets accordingly priced. International visitors to Japan have the option of purchasing one of several passes which allow for unlimited use of the Tohoku Shinkansen along with other services including the:
JAPAN RAIL (JR) PASS
Covering all 9 shinkansen lines in Japan and many other train services, the JR Pass is a great option for visitors planning to use the shinkansen more than a handful of times and/or travel large distances. Travelers have the option of 7, 14 and 21-day passes covering either Ordinary or Ordinary and Green Cars. The JR Pass allows for use of any service on the Tohoku Shinkansen line at no additional cost but noting that should holders wish to have a reserved seat, they are still required to book a seat at the ticket office (at no additional cost).
PURCHASING & ACTIVATING A JR PASS
Passes can be purchased via the official website or via a JR-affiliated sales office. Once you completed payment, you will receive an exchange order. This is a proof of payment and looks almost like a flight ticket with your personal details, type of Pass, and validity (three months from the date of issue). It is important to note that the exchange order is not your actual pass and will need to be exchanged for your pass once in Japan. Whatever you do, do not lose the exchange order and prioritise exchanging it for your pass when you arrive.
The pass listed above is valid for travel to and from this station. Before using a pass, it must first be exchanged/activated. It is important to note that JR passes cannot be exchanged/activated at Koriyama Station. Exchanging/activating the pass can however be done at numerous offices located at airports – including Narita Airport and Haneda Airport in Tokyo – and major train stations throughout Japan. If you have the time, we recommend activating your pass while at the airport. Otherwise, passes can also be activated at these stations on the Tohoku Shinkansen line: Tokyo Station / Fukushima Station / Sendai Station / Morioka Station / Shin-Aomori Station.
To exchange/activate your pass you will need your exchange order and passport. Make sure you allow adequate time to exchange and activate your pass if you are intending to use it on the same day or do so a day or two before you plan to start using it (you can always nominate a later activation date). Once you have your activated pass you are free to ride however you can’t insert your pass into the ticket gates. Simply walk through the side booth (permanently attended by station staff) and show your pass. You will be waved through and you can make your way to the platform.
KORIYAMA TOURIST INFORMATION
Open daily from 09:00 to 17:30, Koriyama Tourist information is located on the second-floor of the station and has English-speaking staff on-hand to assist with any transport, sightseeing and accommodation enquiries. Other languages such as Chinese and Korean are not provided at this time. Free WiFi is available inside.
TOHOKU SKI RESORTS
Though they might not be as well-known as the resorts of Nagano, Niigata and Hokkaido, the ski resorts of Tohoku offer some excellent skiing and snowboarding and a different atmosphere to the more developed and international resorts of Japan. Our ‘Tohoku Ski Resorts’ page has everything you need to know including all the stats, facts, highlights and accommodation for Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai, Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Appi Kogen Ski Resort.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO JAPAN
Koriyama Station and the Tohoku Shinkansen are just two parts of Japan’s fantastic rail network. Unfathomable in its size and efficiency, moving around the country by train is easy and comfortable opening-up all regions of Japan for exploration. Our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page has everything you need to know about visiting Japan – from tips on the best time to travel, times to avoid, entering and exiting the country, money matters, staying connected, accommodation, staying safe and healthy and plenty more to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.
