Between Mount Bandai and Mount Azuma-Kofuji there are several beautiful scenic roads. One of them is the Bandai-Azuma Skyline, which climbs up to Mount Azuma and goes towards Fukushima city. Famous for this road are the volcanic scenery and the far reaching sights over Fukushima. Completely different sights can be had when driving the Lake Line. Forest, valleys and water are the key elements here.
The road itself is a mix of long straights and sections which have a lot of curves. With a length of 20 kilometers it takes around 20 minutes to drive the full Lake Line. One end is at the route 115 also known as Tsuchiyu By-pass and the other end is at the village called Kitashiobara. In the middle there is a stopping area with restaurant called Nakatsugawa Valley Rest House. You can go for a small hike here to see the Nakatsugawa Valley.
Every season the scenery and atmosphere are different, so it is worth coming at any time of the year. Just take care that in the winter there might be a seasonal closure of the road. And during the peak of each season, it can also be very crowded with waiting times for the parking at Nakatsugawa Valley Rest House. A final point of attention is the bridge at Nakatsugawa Valley can be crowded with pedestrians, so take care driving there. The Lake Line is approximately 45 minutes driving from both Fukushima city and Aizuwakamatsu city.
Google Maps location link:
Bandai-Azuma Lake Line
JDM4all Youtube video: