Best Places to Stay in Bandai
Operated by the Hoshino Resorts group, Bandai is a small to medium-sized resort designed to cater to a high-end market, especially those based in Tokyo, with an all-inclusive ‘resort’ experience including accommodation. On this page you will find the following information:
— Aizu & Tohoku Ski Resorts: The Stats & Facts
— Japan Ski Resorts: Everything You Need to Know
Located in Fukushima Prefecture, Alts Bandai is the largest of the ski resorts making-up the Aizu grouping of ski resorts – an increasingly popular group of resorts including Inawashiro Snow Paradise. Though the Aizu resorts don’t receive the legendary dumps of powder that many resorts in Japan are blessed with, they are increasingly regarded as the next go-to Japanese ski destinations, Designed to give visitors a full resort experience including high-end accommodation and all-inclusive ski packages, Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai is the best option in the Aizu group, one best-suited to beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking for ski fields within relatively easy reach of Tokyo.
WHERE TO STAY IN BANDAI?
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai is a small to medium-sized resort – around 120 hectares – offering 22 ski runs serviced by 1 gondola and 7 chairlifts. Located between 580 to 1280 metres above sea level, the resort offers a decent – by Japanese standards – 700 metres of vertical. Operated by the Hoshino Resorts group, Bandai is designed to provide visitors with an all-inclusive ‘resort’ experience, with the option of packaging all aspects of their ski trip including accommodation. For that reason, the large Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel is the most convenient accommodation option at the resort. The hotel offers a variety of Western-style rooms, multiple restaurants, hot springs, indoor swimming pool and a full range of in-house services all located at the base of the ski runs. As such the hotel offers ski in/out convenience and the ability to include everything you need such as ski passes, rental and lessons with your accommodation booking – as said, the full resort experience.
Away from the hotel, there’s a small grouping of guesthouses and lodges in a separate village area however these do not have direct access to the ski resort. Most are family-run and prices are likely to be notably cheaper than Bandaisan Onsen Hotel. There is little in the way of outside dining options or nightlife in this area, so if you do choose book a guesthouse in the village, make sure to include meals with your accommodation and to check how to get yourself to and from the resort. In reality, this option works best for those with their own transport. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Bandai Ski Resort’ hotel page.
AIZU & TOHOKU SKI RESORTS: THE STATS & FACTS
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 international resorts of Japan such as Hakuba and Niseko. Our ‘Best Aizu & Tohoku Ski Resorts’ page has everything you need to know including all the stats and facts about Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai, Appi Kogen Ski Resort and Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
HOW TO GET TO BANDAI
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai and Inawashiro Snow Paradise are the nearest of the major Tohoku resorts to Tokyo. Accessible using the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station followed by a bus onto the resort, Bandai can be reached in around 3 hours from the capital. Our ‘How to Get to Bandai, Inawashiro, Zao Onsen, Geto Kogen & Appi Kogen’ page has detailed information about how to get there and the other resorts of Tohoku.
JAPAN SKI RESORTS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Did you know that the resorts of Tohoku are just some of the hundreds spread throughout Japan? Needless to say, when you choose Japan for your winter getaway you are spoiled for choice! Our ‘Japan Ski Resorts’ page has everything you need to know to start planning your ski and snowboard adventure including: LATEST NEWS & DEALS, THE BEST RESORTS IN NAGANO & JAPAN, FAQs and of course OUR SKI PACKAGES, ACCOMMODATION, TRANSPORT & TOURS.
