Lake Inawashiro, the fourth largest lake in Japan [Fukushima Prefecture]

Lake Inawashiro is located in the central part of Fukushima Prefecture, south of Mount Bandai, which is often likened to Mount Fuji in Aizu, and is known as the fourth largest lake in Japan

It is believed that the area was formed as a basin by a fault around 23 million years ago, and that this lake then took tens of millions of years to take shape

The eruption of Mount Bandai caused 52 surrounding villages to collapse and sink to the bottom of the lake, leaving only Okina-jima Island in the northwestern part of the lake. A legend about the formation of this Okina-jima Island is passed down in the Aizu region

Before the war, it was used for agricultural water, but now it has become a thriving tourist destination, with many tourists enjoying sightseeing boat tours and camping and barbecues along the lakeshore

Sightseeing boat tours to Okina-jima Island operate daily, with a 35-minute journey from Nagahama via Okina-jima Island. You can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Mount Bandai and its majestic reflection on the lake while cruising through nature. For tourists with children, there are also humorous sightseeing boats such as the swan-shaped "Hakucho-maru" and the turtle-shaped "Kame-maru" to explore the lake

We also accept reservations for Akasaki and Lake Center tours (90-minute cruise) and private chartered cruises between Nagahama and Funatsu, which can be used for parties, weddings on board, and more

Lake Inawashiro is a relatively clear lake with a maximum depth of 94m and a transparency of 12 to 13m. The headwaters of the Nagase River, which flows into the lake, are volcanic acidic water, making it a nutrient-poor lake. This prevents the growth of aquatic plants and algae, resulting in high transparency

Nevertheless, water moss (Polytrichum commune) inhabits the area near the northern shore of Lake Inawashiro at a depth of 3 meters, and the "Lake Inawashiro Water Moss Community" has been designated a natural monument by the government

It is also famous as a wintering ground for swans, and is designated and managed by the national and prefectural governments as a protected area to safeguard the swan ecosystem. Visitors can be seen with cameras in hand, taking videos and photos of the natural scenery as they come to see the swans gathered on the surface of Lake Inawashiro

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