When in Fukushima, Don’t Miss “Inawashiro / Bandai” Area Where Clear Water of Beautiful Lakes Awaits

Fukushima Prefecture is a pretty popular weekend getaway destination for adults since it is easily accessible even from Tokyo. In case you love spending time outdoors, you should definitely visit the area around “Mt. Bandai” (磐梯山) surrounded by beautiful lakes. Why don’t you be healed by the clear and beautiful scenery and refreshing air filled with negative ions? Let’s take a look at some scenic sightseeing spots in the prefecture that you can enjoy throughout the seasons!

“Lake Inawashiro,” a photogenic lake colored by swans from late autumn to early spring

“Lake Inawashiro” (猪苗代湖), the fourth largest freshwater lake in Japan with an area of 103.32Km2 and a depth of 93.5m, is known for its clarity of the lake water with the transparency of 12 to 15 which is one of the clearest lakes in Japan. The groundwater and the inflowing rivers being acidic positively influence the clarity of the lake water. Mizusugi moss (ミズスギゴケ) that grows in clusters on the bottom of the water at a depth of 3m is a designated natural monument of Japan. You can observe the unique ecosystems of the moss that have become spheres or ellipses because of the interaction of water currents. On the other hand, more than 2,000 swans from Siberia spending the period from November to April in the lake attracts many photographers across the nation. You can find campsites and trails around the lake, so let’s get relaxed in the great nature and enjoy the beautiful colors of the lake surface changing every second the sun rising and setting.

Address	Inawashiro Town, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel: About 20-minute drive away Koriyama Washington Hotel: About 50-minute drive away
URL	https://fukushima.travel/destination/lake-inawashiro/5

The mysterious pond group “Goshikinuma” fascinating visitors by its natural ‘blue’ that differs from pond to pond

Around Mt. Bandai, there’s a group of ponds and lakes formed by a part of the mountain collapsed damming a river due to a steam explosion in 1888. Among the ponds and lakes, “Goshikinuma” (五色沼) that has been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide in 2016 is a significant tourist hotspot. To be precise, it should be called “Group of Goshikinuma Ponds and Lakes” (五色沼湖沼群) and refers to a series of Bishamonnuma (毘沙門沼, Guardian God of Buddhism Pond), Akanuma (赤沼, Red Pond), Midoronuma (みどろ沼, Deep Mud Pond), Tatsunuma (竜沼, Dragon Pond), Bentennuma (弁天沼, Goddess of Arts and Wisdom Pond), Rurinuma (るり沼, Lapis Lazuli Pond), Aonuma (青沼, Blue Pond) and etc. Since the color of each pond is different from one another such as emerald green, cobalt blue and pastel blue, it is also called ‘Ponds of Mystery.’ In particular, ‘Aonuma’ where you can observe the vivid colors as in a painting is truly a must-see. For those who want to feel the ponds with your all senses, rowboat experience is available at the largest pond, ‘Bishamonnuma.’ As the color of each pond changes upon on the seasons, the weather, and the time of day, you’ll come to want to visit again once you’ve experienced the beauty of the ponds.

Address	Hibara Kengamine, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel: About 45-minute drive away Koriyama Washington Hotel: About 70-minute drive away
URL	https://www.urabandai-inf.com/en/?page_id=141

A spectacular view of the dawn and the mirror-like water surface in harmony at “Lake Akimoto”

Among the lakes called ‘Ura-Bandai Sanko’ (裏磐梯三湖, Three Lakes behind Mt. Bandai, Ura means ‘behind’ or ‘hidden’), “Lake Akimoto” (秋元湖), the second-largest following Lake Hibara (桧原湖), has been attracting many photographers with the magnificent morning glow. Above all, the contrast between the lake surface reflecting the gradation of the sky and the fantastic silhouette of islands like an ink painting is breathtakingly beautiful. The observatory located at the west entrance of the lake is the best place for you to take beautiful photos. By the way, you can appreciate the brightly colored autumn leaves in fall while you can also experience smelt fishing and snowmobiles on ice in winter. The Ura-Bandai area is an important bird habitat certified by the Wild Bird Society of Japan, so it should be also ideal for bird watching. When you are tired from walking around, why not renting a bike and cycling around the lake?

Address	Hibara Terasawayama, Kitashiobara Village, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel: About 45-minute drive away Koriyama Washington Hotel: About 70-minute drive away
URL	https://www.urabandai-inf.com/en/?page_id=24972