Mercure Urabandai Resort & Spa メルキュール裏磐梯リゾート＆スパ 里磐梯美居溫泉度假酒店

Mercure Urabandai Resort & Spa is a highland resort hotel located in the Urabandai area of Kitashiobara Village, Fukushima Prefecture, just an eight-minute walk from the iconic Goshikinuma ponds within Bandai-Asahi National Park. Surrounded by Mount Bandai and numerous lakes and marshes, the hotel sits in a prime location for year-round outdoor activities such as trekking, skiing, and canoeing. It reopened under the Mercure brand in April 2024, refreshing the interiors and services of a former resort property to match current Mercure standards.

The building is a large resort-style structure nestled in the forest, and the lobby lounge offers expansive views of the highlands through its large windows. The hotel has 227 guest rooms, all of which are a spacious 36 square meters or more. Room types include twins, doubles, Japanese-Western combination rooms, and family rooms, making the hotel suitable for couples, families, multi-generational trips, and groups. Many rooms overlook Mount Bandai, surrounding forests, or the changing seasonal landscape of the highlands, creating an atmosphere of openness unique to mountain resorts.

Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, humidifier, in-room safe, and bidet-equipped toilets. Many rooms also feature bathtubs. Some rooms accommodate up to five guests, making the hotel practical for families and group travel. With several ski resorts nearby, the property is also promoted as a convenient base for winter sports, attracting many ski travelers during the colder months.

The hotel’s standout feature is its hot spring facilities, fed by its own chloride-sulfate spring source known as Goshiki Onsen. The first floor houses a spacious indoor bath that can accommodate around 50 people, along with an open-air rock bath featuring natural stone and wood elements. The outdoor bath has a rustic, wild-at-heart feel, allowing guests to soak while taking in the forest and sky of Urabandai. The clear hot spring water is said to be effective for neuralgia, joint pain, digestive issues, and fatigue recovery. A sauna and cold bath are also available—ideal for unwinding after trekking or skiing.

Dining centers around buffet-style meals for both breakfast and dinner. The selection includes Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, with regional specialties such as Fukushima’s “imoni,” Aizu local cuisine, and dishes featuring locally sourced vegetables and meats. The variety allows guests to sample many items in small portions. Breakfast includes classic Japanese and Western dishes along with local ingredients, while dinner features live-cooking stations and a well-stocked dessert section.

A major highlight of the hotel is its “all-inclusive” offering. Many plans include not only breakfast and dinner but also drinks and snacks at the lounge, access to the hot spring facilities, and selected on-site activities. At the lounge, guests can enjoy sparkling wine, beer, and soft drinks during the afternoon “Evening Social (Ragu),” and savor whiskey, brandy, sake, and other drinks during the nightly “Night Cap (Chotto).” The resort also features an “onsen lounge,” providing a comfortable space to relax after bathing. (Offerings and hours may vary by season and plan.)

Additional facilities include a restaurant, lounge, souvenir shop, banquet and meeting halls, and a coin laundry—making the property suitable for extended stays or group trips. The surrounding area is rich in natural attractions, with Goshikinuma (Bishamon-numa) and the Morohashi Museum of Modern Art within walking distance. The hotel offers information on activities such as hiking, canoeing, and winter skiing or snowboarding, making it easy to enjoy the region according to the season.

For access, the standard route is to take the Aizu Bus from Inawashiro Station on the JR Ban-Etsu West Line toward the Bandai Kogen area and get off at the “Mercure Urabandai Resort & Spa” stop—about a 25-minute ride. By car, the hotel is about 20 minutes from the Inawashiro Bandai-Kogen Interchange on the Ban-Etsu Expressway via Routes 115 and 459. The grounds feature a large flat parking lot with space for around 190 vehicles, including large buses and EV charging spots. During snowy months, road conditions can vary, so winter tires and extra travel time are recommended.

Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 11:00, allowing for a relaxed resort stay. A typical visit might include unwinding at the lounge after arrival, enjoying a soak in the hot spring, exploring nearby nature, savoring the buffet dinner, and ending the day with a nightcap—all without leaving the property. Unlike urban hotels, this resort is best suited for those who want to slow down in nature and enjoy a scenic highland retreat accessible by car or bus.