[Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture] The smallest lake in Japan? Lake Hakuryu is in danger of disappearing! The legend of Lake Hakuryu and its appearance that you want to know now

Lake Hakuryu, located in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, has been associated with a princess legend for a long time.

I'm also curious about the legend, but I heard that Lake Hakuryu, a small lake, may disappear within this century.

There seems to be some calls from nearby residents and some fishing enthusiasts to launch a project to ensure its survival.

Let's take a closer look at the princess legend of such a small lake, Lake Hakuryu, from its past to the present day.

A small lake nestled in the countryside...

If you look at it from nearby Mt. Takatsumuji (Mount Shitenichi), you can see a small lake in the middle of the countryside.

Lake Hakuryu is about the same size as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo, with a circumference of 3.5 km and an area of ​​1.08 square meters.There is only that. The depth is currently said to be about 1 meter.

Although it is a regular lake, it is said that in the past it was also called Akayunuma.

The area where Lake Hakuryu, located in the northeastern part of the Okitama Basin, is located is a peat bog of approximately 1,000 hectares, called Oyachi, and has been loved by many people for its unique landscape of rice fields and lakes. .

Lake Hakuryu lies in the middle of a muddy valley all around.

If you are driving on National Route 13 from Yamagata City towards Fukushima City, you can see it on the lower left as you descend Toriagezaka, and it looks more like a reservoir than a small lake.

Originally, the area around Lake Hakuryu wasPeat wetland called Oyachiwas. If you stepped into the mud, you would sink up to your waist in mud, making it extremely difficult to grow rice in the soil, which was difficult for agriculture.

It is said that repeated large-scale land improvements have resulted in the rural landscape that can be seen today. It is the result of the efforts of our predecessors.

Nanyo Sky Park overlooking Lake Hakuryu in front of you

Jubuichiyama is known as Nanyo Sky Park, one of Japan's leading hang gliding bases, and has even hosted the Paragliding World Championships.。

Also designated as a Prefectural Southern Prefectural Natural ParkThe view from Mt. Shitenichi is a place where you can enjoy spectacular views in all seasons, from the freshly flooded countryside to the lush greenery of Lake Hakuryu, to the snowy landscape from autumn to winter.

It seems to be popular as a night view spot.

You can also experience paragliding, so it might be nice to see Lake Hakuryu from the sky.
An instructor is also provided, so even beginners can enjoy it.

INFORMATION

• Address: 2841 Akayu, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Business hours: 9:00-18:00
• Closed: Thursday
• Price: [Experience fee] Paragliding experience tandem (2-seater) flight: 13,200 yen (includes accident insurance premium)
  *There is a ``Wheelchair plan (26,400 yen)'' for those with reduced mobility.
• Barrier-free information: Paragliders can fly in wheelchairs.
  It can also be used by elderly people. (Weight restrictions apply) ■Nursing room: Yes
  ■First aid room: Yes
  ■Transportation service (reservation required): Yes
  ■Assistance dog admission: Possible
  ■Written communication available: Yes
• Access: 15 minutes by car from JR Akayu Station
• Parking lot: Approximately 100 spaces
  (Note) *Reservation required
  *Flights may not be possible due to weather or wind conditions.
  *Limited to those weighing between 40kg and 80kg.
• Contact: Soaring System Paragliding School (1970-4 Kunizuka, Nanyo City)
• Phone number: 0238-40-2149 Fax number: 0238-27-9427

GOOGLE MAP

Origin of the name of Lake Hakuryu: “Lake Hakuryu Legend”

``One day, Okitama was so dry that there was no rain at all, and fierce battles began to break out everywhere due to lack of water.
The villagers prayed for rain almost every night, but it never seemed like it would rain. A traveling monk came there, felt sorry for the situation, and chanted sutras toward the sky for three days and nights, until suddenly the sky suddenly became cloudy and rain started to fall. It is said that a white dragon rose up from the lake into the sky with a scroll in its mouth as a gust of wind suddenly started to pick up. There is also a legend that a village girl who married a dragon god became a dragon and ascended to the sky. It is said that the name Hakuryu Lake came from such a legend.

Source: Yonezawa Plain Land Improvement District homepage ( https://www.yonezawa-heiya.or.jp/ )

Among the many legends of Lake Hakuryu, there seems to be a tragic love story as well.

There is also a legend that says, ``A girl who fell in love with a young monk at Toshoji Temple in Akayu, became pessimistic that her dream would not come true, so she threw herself into the lake, and her soul became a white dragon and ascended to heaven.'' Masu.

In any case, a white dragon appears in the legend of the lake, so it is said that the name ``White Dragon Lake'' was derived from that.

INFORMATION

• Address: Akayu, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Access: 10 minutes by car from Akayu Station
• Parking lot: 10 regular cars (Unpaved and may be submerged in water during rainy days.)
• Contact: Nanyo City Tourism and Products Division
• Phone number: 0238-40-3211
• <Notes>
  • Type of fish: carp, crucian carp
  • Period: Yearly
  • Fishing fee (yen): None

GOOGLE MAP

Crisis at Lake Hakuryu! Will it disappear in this century?

Due to changes in the surrounding environment and eutrophication of water quality, large numbers of water chestnuts grow thickly in the summer, and due to sedimentation of mud, the water depth becomes shallower and the lake surface becomes smaller every year.

During the Meiji period, the area was twice as large as it is now, and the water depth was nearly 3 meters.However, due to changes in water quality year after year, aquatic plants grew and rotted, which continued to accumulate on the lake bed, resulting in a thick layer of sludge and the size of the lake.

It is feared that if things continue as they are, the lake will disappear by the end of this century, so measures have been taken to remove aquatic plants and prevent the inflow of wastewater containing chemical fertilizers from rice fields.

In order to implement the "Lake Hakuryu Restoration Project," Nanyo City is also conducting "crowdfunding" using the "hometown tax" system.

Link: [Furusato Choice] - "I want to save my hometown Yamagata's Lake Hakuryu from the danger of extinction!" ”

summary

Lake Hakuryu, the smallest lake in Japan, has many legends passed down from generation to generation, and is loved not only by the citizens of Nanyo but also by nearby municipalities.

Mysterious tales of the White Dragon legend and tales of tragic love. There are still many legends left in Tohoku.

We want to protect the nature that surrounds us so that we can cherish and pass on the ancient traditions to future generations!