[Fukushima Prefecture] Goshikinuma, a group of lakes and marshes in Urabandai where you can see a variety of colors

NEFT Editorial Department
2016.10.05
Last updated: 2024.07.18

table of contents

1 Lakes and marshes with different water colors
2 A trekking course called the Nature Exploration Route
- 2.1 Goshikinuma <Information>

Goshikinuma is officially called the Goshikinuma Lakes Group. It is located in Kitashiobara Village, Fukushima Prefecture. Located within Bandai-Asahi National Park, this area on the north side of Lake Inawashiro on the south side of Mt. Bandai is called Urabandai.

Lakes and marshes with different water colors

During the eruption of Mt. Bandai in 1899, a part of Mt. Bandai called Kobandai collapsed, causing an avalanche of debris, which collapsed on the Urabandai side and buried the Nakatsu River, Nagase River, Hinohara River, and Ono River. Goshikinuma was born. Three villages were affected, and 477 people were killed and missing.

The survivors of this land, which had become a desolate wilderness, encouraged the planting of about 100,000 trees, including Japanese red pine, sumac, and cedar, as a requiem for the souls of the dead, and the land later became a verdant plateau. In 2013, it became Bandai-Asahi National Park.

To access Goshikinuma, it is about a 25 minute drive from the Inawashiro Bandai Kogen Interchange on the Ban'etsu Expressway, then transfer at Koriyama Station on the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen and 35 minutes to Inawashiro Station on the Ban'etsu West Line, and 30 minutes by bus from there.

A trekking course called the Nature Exploration Route

Goshikinuma has a 3.6 kilometer trekking course called the Nature Trail. There is not much difference in height, so even elderly people with weak legs can walk. The color of the water in Goshikinuma varies depending on the lake, giving it a variety of hues. Bishamon Marsh is located near the entrance of the course. The color of the water is blue-green, and when combined with the rugged crater walls that are characteristic of Mt. Bandai from this side, it creates a spectacular view that captivates the eye.

As you proceed along the course, you will see Akanuma. The water in Akanuma appears red because of the reddish fine particles caused by iron oxide precipitates.

In addition, there is Midoro-numa, where the water color varies depending on the location due to the depth of the swamp, Ruri-numa, which changes color depending on the place you look at and shows a mysterious hue, Aonuma, which has bluish-white water, and Benten, the second largest of the Goshikinuma. There is a swamp called Yanaginuma near the Urabandai Bussankan.
The walking path during the fresh green season is captivating with the colors of the young leaves.

Reforestation efforts during the Meiji era have borne fruit, creating a wonderful forest. In addition, the autumn leaves combine with the red of lacquer and maple to create a wonderful landscape. There are many accommodation facilities such as hotels and pensions near the entrance of the walking route, making it a first-class highland resort.