A Miracle Only Seen in May: Enjoy the Contrast of Lingering Snow and Fresh Greenery on a 'Jododaira Sky Access' Tour, Hands-Free

Bandai-Azuma Skyline, late April. The Bandai-Azuma Skyline, a scenic road approximately 29km long with a maximum elevation of 1,622m (average elevation 1,350m), is recognized as a mountain road of Japanese-unrivaled scale and is listed among Japan's Top 100 Roads. The Fukushima City Tourism and Convention Association (hereinafter "the Association") has commenced operations of the "Jododaira Sky Access" round-trip transfer tour from April 24 (Friday), coinciding with the full-scale arrival of the 2026 tourist season. This tour allows visitors to fully enjoy the attractions of the "Bandai-Azuma Skyline," a magnificent mountain tourist road that Fukushima Prefecture proudly boasts. "Jododaira Sky Access" is a new secondary transportation service that starts from the highly convenient "Fukushima Station," approximately 1.5 hours from Tokyo by Tohoku Shinkansen. It travels along the Bandai-Azuma Skyline to "Jododaira," a scenic spot within the Bandai-Asahi National Park where the ruggedness of volcanoes and the tranquility of wetlands coexist, offering round-trip transfers. Furthermore, as it's possible to choose pick-up and drop-off at Takayu Onsen, which the tour passes through, you can also enjoy a stay in the hot spring area before or after visiting Jododaira. Famous hot spring village: Takayu Onsenkyo Ryokan Tamagoyu: Free-flowing sulfur hot spring water directly from the source. Three daily tours tailored to climbing and sightseeing needs. The tour offers two types and a total of three daily departures: a "5.5-hour stay" ideal for climbing, and a "2-hour stay" for efficient sightseeing. *Tours without reservations will not operate. Details and Application. Attractions of the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. The Bandai-Azuma Skyline, opened in 1959 as "Japan's first mountain road," has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Roads, recognized for its historical value and excellent scenery that respects harmony with nature. This magnificent winding road, approximately 29km long, extending from Takayu Onsen in Fukushima City to Tsuchiyu Onsen, is known as a famous spot for drives and touring. Bandai-Azuma Skyline & Jododaira Complete Guide Link to Fukushima City Tourism Note. Bandai-Azuma Skyline Fudosawa Bridge. Route of spectacular views. Access from Fukushima Station first takes you through the charming Takayu Onsenkyo before entering the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. You can experience the rugged mountain slopes of Azuma-kofuji and the spectacular view of the Fukushima Basin spreading below. Driving the Bandai-Azuma Skyline in summer is exhilarating, with the powerful "Azuma-kofuji" in view. Autumn foliage season attracts the most tourists of the year. There is a parking lot near Fudosawa Bridge, where you can walk across the bridge and enjoy the scenery of the Fukushima Basin. Although it is typically closed for winter from early November to late April, this season it reopened on April 21, 2026. The "snow corridor" in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and especially the fiery autumn foliage are breathtaking, captivating tourists with their magnificent seasonal natural beauty. Cotton grass growing wild in Jododaira. You can enjoy alpine plants while walking on wooden paths in the wetland. Mount Azuma-kofuji. Climb stairs for about 10 minutes from Jododaira parking lot to reach the crater wall. The Azuma Mountain Range, stretching east to west with peaks over 2,000m, spans from western Fukushima City to Yamagata Prefecture. The area around "Jododaira," the mid-point of the "Bandai-Azuma Skyline," offers numerous walking and hiking courses where you can enjoy dynamic volcanic landscapes and vast, rich nature, including Mount Issaikyo, Mount Azuma-kofuji, and Goshikinuma. Particularly, Goshikinuma, also known as "Witch's Eye," viewed from the summit of Mount Issaikyo, attracts many climbers. View of the Jododaira Visitor Center area from Azuma-kofuji. Mount Issaikyo, with volcanic gas spewing, is visible on the right. Goshikinuma in autumn, also known as "Witch's Eye," viewed from the summit of Mount Issaikyo. ■ Project Overview 1. Travel Period: April 24 (Friday), 2026, to November 10 (Tuesday), 2026 (subject to the opening dates of Bandai-Azuma Skyline). 2. Departure Point: Fukushima Station West Exit bus stop or Takayu Onsen Attaka Yu Mae. 3. Tour Price: ■ Mountaineering Course: Adults: 13,000 yen / Elementary school students: 7,500 yen / Children (0-6 years old): Free. ■ Tours 1 & 2: Adults: 12,000 yen / Elementary school students: 6,000 yen / Children (0-6 years old): Free. 4. Application Deadline: Until 3:00 PM the day before departure. *However, reception will close once the capacity is reached before the deadline. 5. Minimum Participants: 1 person. 6. Operating Schedule: ■ Mountaineering Course: Fukushima Station West Exit (departs 08:30) === Takayu Onsen Attaka Yu Mae (departs 09:00) === (arrives 09:30) Jododaira [Free activity 5.5 hours] (departs 15:00) === (arrives 15:30) Takayu Onsen Attaka Yu Mae === (arrives 16:00) Fukushima Station West Exit. ■ Tour 1: Fukushima Station West Exit (departs 09:30) === Takayu Onsen Attaka Yu Mae (departs 10:00) === (arrives 10:30) Jododaira [Free activity 2 hours] (departs 12:30) === (arrives 13:00) Takayu Onsen Attaka Yu Mae === (arrives 13:30) Fukushima Station West Exit. ■ Tour 2: Fukushima Station West Exit (departs 11:00) === Takayu Onsen Attaka Yu Mae (departs 11:30) === (arrives 12:00) Jododaira [Free activity 2 hours] (departs 14:00).