Bandai Atami Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, positioned along the scenic Gohyaku River valley in the northwest part of the city. The onsen was founded approximately 800 years ago during the Kamakura era, and its name combines elements from Mount Bandai and Atami Onsen in Izu, reflecting the heritage of Ito Sukenaga, a local lord whose hometown was Izu.
According to local legend, a beautiful princess named Hagihime from Kyoto suffered from a fatal disease and received a divine revelation from Fudo Myo-o deity to travel to Tohoku and bathe in a special spring at the 500th river. After bathing in the waters of Bandai Atami, she emerged healed, and the onsen has since been believed to have restorative properties and beauty-enhancing effects. This legend has earned the resort its reputation as both a healing and beautifying hot spring, and every year on August 9th and 10th, the Hagi-hime Festival celebrates this local legend, transforming the entire hot spring town into a vibrant celebration.
The waters of Bandai Atami Onsen are particularly distinctive for their beautifying properties. The spring water has a pH level of 9.1, similar to soap, which helps remove impurities from the skin. The alkaline spring water contains low levels of dissolved substances and is clear and mild on the skin, said to soften dead skin cells and be highly effective against age spots and freckles. The unique silky texture isn't due to the water itself but the reaction between the spring water and the skin's old keratin, and to maximize benefits, visitors are recommended not to rinse off the spring water after soaking.
The resort offers diverse bathing experiences including traditional ryokan accommodations and day-use facilities. Many properties feature open-air baths with views of the surrounding river valley and forested mountains. At Ekimae Ashiyu near the station, visitors can enjoy a free foot bath fed directly by the natural source, and free Wi-Fi is available at designated locations including Ekimae Ashiyu and Keyaki no Mori Ashiyu. The town hosts numerous inns ranging from intimate 10-room establishments to larger hotels with over 160 rooms, many offering private open-air baths and rooms with in-room hot spring facilities.
Bandai Atami Onsen's central location in Fukushima Prefecture makes it an ideal base for exploring regional attractions including Lake Inawashiro, Mount Adatara Ropeway, Goshikinuma Ponds, and the historic post town of Ouchi-juku. The resort is easily accessible from major cities. From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station, which takes approximately 1 hour 28 minutes. Bandai-Atami Station is served by the Banetsu West Line and is located 15.4 kilometers from Koriyama. The local train journey takes approximately 20 minutes, and most inns are either within walking distance of the station or accessible by a short 3-5 minute taxi ride.
