Lake Hibara, Fukushima's outdoor leisure mecca

Lake Hibara is a stunning lake with a beautiful cobalt blue surface, located in the heart of the Bandai Plateau in Fukushima Prefecture.
It belongs to the Bandai-Asahi National Park, and with a shoreline of approximately 32 km and a maximum depth of 31 m, it is the largest lake in the Ura-Bandai lake group.
The surrounding area has many walking trails and campgrounds where nature remains intact, and it is bustling with tourists throughout the year, from bass fishing in the summer to autumn leaf viewing in the fall, and smelt fishing on the thickly frozen lake and winter sports in the winter.

Lake Hibara, formed by the eruption of Mount Bandai

The snow that falls on the Bandai Plateau is fine powder snow, and the winter scenery when it falls on the lake is breathtaking.
There are many restaurants, including shops selling Fukushima's local specialties, as well as ramen shops, cafes, udon restaurants, curry restaurants, and more. Events are also held frequently, such as the "Lake Hibara Family Cycling Tournament" organized by the Kitashiobara Village Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the "Professional Bass Fishing Tournament" organized by the Japan Bass Club.

On the north side of the lake is the Oyamazumi Shrine and its torii gate, which commemorate a village that sank due to the eruption of Mount Bandai in July 1888.
From April to November, Bandai Sightseeing Boats offer lake cruises, allowing visitors to see the torii gate from the water. However, the lake's water level is constantly changing, and when the water level is low, the torii gate and tombstones may appear above the water's surface.
However, depending on the time of day, there may be a wait of up to an hour to board a boat. Swan boat rentals are also available, but it's a good idea to check the schedule in advance.

Also from April to November, the retro bus "Mori no Kumasan" (Forest Bear) operates, offering leisurely tours around Lake Hibara from the Urabandai Local Products Center. This
is a very eco-friendly vehicle that runs on recycled fuel collected from homes and guesthouses.

The lake is about 30 minutes by car from Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC on the Ban'etsu Expressway, and there are also many public transportation options available, with the lake taking about 40 minutes by train or bus from JR Inawashiro Station

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