Azuma Kofuji　　吾妻小富士

Oct.27th. 2025

Michi no eki Fukushima　　道の駅ふくしま

Michi no eki Fukushima is a good spot to overnight. Although it is very large and popular, the facilities are very good and can cope with the traffic. Also, rubbish bins are provided.

Bandai Azuma Skyline　　磐梯吾妻スカイライン

Today rain is forecast for the afternoon as we set off for Azuma Kofuji via the Bandai Azuma Skyline. We have been here before but on that occasion this end of the skyline was closed so this is our first drive up this satisfying, winding section.

There are various parking spots on the way up, to stop and take pictures or just enjoy the view of autumn leaves. These are frequently full so it is not that easy. This year the kouyo seems very patchy. Some places the leaves are still green in others well over, yet there are still splendid displays here and there.

Azuma Kofuji　　吾妻小富士

On reaching Azuma Kofuji, we park in the 500 yen car park. On the drive up the weather was blustery but fine and sunny. Once parked, however, we are enveloped in lashing rain. We wait this out and start to climb once the squall has passed.

This is an easy ascent, just a set of broad stairs, steep, but quite short. It is though very windy  indeed. On a previous trip we had thoughtfully purchased plastic rain coats from a convenience store but these were ripped to shreds within seconds of reaching the summit. Today it is again very windy but D. is able to stand up which was problematic last time. There are also far more people.

At the top is a dry caldera, volcanic dust and rocks. It is possible to walk around the rim of the caldera but a notice advises that you walk around clockwise to lessen the risk of being blown into the crater. We saw none attempt such a circumlocution.

Leaving Azuma Kofuji, we head towards Urabandai. This is a drive enjoying the kouyo and intermittent rain. On the road, we meet a large troop of monkeys with numerous young.

The michi no eki we stop at was renting out Kuma suzu or Bear Bells if you wanted to walk around the area. We had never seen that before. An indication, perhaps, of just how serious the bear problem has become this season. Or just opportunistic enterprise.

It was in this area, a few years ago, that I stepped in a very fresh bear turd.

Michi no eki Nasukogen 　　道の駅那須高原友愛の森

Down from the mountains and along Lake Inawashiro and on to Shirakawa. From there we make for our michi no eki Nasukogen. On our way, following a stream of cars, along a twisty road with double yellow no overtaking lines and with night closing in we are suddenly passed by a white Honda Freed traveling at great speed followed by a police car siren blazing. We had to turn off the road so never learnt the outcome but it was the first time to witness a car chase.

Michi no eki Nasukogen, we discovered, was a little odd. The large parking area is broken up by bushes and trees and there was a line of Tesla charging points. The facilities were reasonable.