This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Have you heard of Lake Inawashiro? Lake Inawashiro is located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture and is the fourth largest lake in Japan!
You'll want to go and see what it's like. So, this time we'll introduce you to the charms and recommendations of Lake Inawashiro!
What is Lake Inawashiro?
Lake Inawashiro is a fault lake spanning Aizuwakamatsu City, Koriyama City, and Inawashiro Town, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture, with an area of approximately 103 square kilometers. It is the fourth largest lake in Japan and the largest in Fukushima Prefecture. It is also one of the highest lakes in the country, with its surface at an elevation of 514 meters. It is famous as one of the symbols of Fukushima Prefecture
The lake is also known as Tenkyoko (Heavenly Mirror Lake) because of its clear water, and the "Lake Inawashiro's Sphagnum Moss Community" and "Lake Inawashiro's Swans and Their Migratory Grounds" have been designated as national natural monuments
What is the legend of Lake Inawashiro?
Long ago, Kobo Daishi Kukai stopped off in Fukushima on his pilgrimage around Japan. He tried to get some water from a woman weaving a loom, but was refused, so he had no choice but to go to another village
He asked a poor woman named Okina, who was washing rice, if he could have the water used to rinse the rice, and the woman gladly let him drink it
The next day, Mt. Bandai suddenly erupted, causing 52 surrounding villages to collapse and sink to the bottom of what is now Lake Inawashiro, but the house of the old man who gave Kukai a drink of water remained standing and became an island
The "Okinajima Legend," that this is the actual Okinajima Island that exists in present-day Lake Inawashiro, is mainly passed down in the Aizu region.
In winter, Lake Inawashiro is completely covered in silver, transforming into a picturesque landscape. Every winter, about 4,000 swans from Siberia visit Lake Inawashiro, creating a spectacle that has been designated a national natural monument.
The swans visit from October to April of the following year. If you're lucky, you might be able to see them flying in a line!
Not only can you see the swans, but you can also feed them, so every year many wild bird fans from all over the country flock here. I have actually visited Lake Inawashiro in the winter and fed the swans, and they seemed to be used to it, as they came over to us on their own! It's so cute, isn't it?
Lake Inawashiro in winter is highly recommended, not only for its beautiful scenery, but also for the chance to see swans, which are rarely seen on a regular basis
Lake Inawashiro is fun even in the summer!
Enjoy wakeboarding
Lake Inawashiro has many fun events even in the summer, such as wakeboarding, which allows you to enjoy the entire lake
Wakeboarding is a sport where you are pulled by a motorboat and glide across the water like skiing (it's water skiing). You can enjoy wakeboarding at Lake Inawashiro, and it's easy even for beginners, so we recommend it. It's great that you can do both sightseeing and sport at the same time
Enjoy camping
There are also many campsites in the surrounding area
A campsite where you can stay in a cottage or lodge
Lake Inawashiro Mobility
Tenjinhama Auto Campsite
Koishigahama Auto Campground
Free and low-cost campsites
Sakigawahama Campsite
Seaburiyama Campsite
Funatsuhama Campsite
Akiyamahama Campsite
Kanisawahama Campsite
With over eight campsites available, you can enjoy leisure activities with friends and family in a variety of ways, from relaxing family camping in a cottage to wild solo camping at an affordable campsite
Lake Inawashiro has almost no waves, so even small children can swim comfortably. If you want to go to the beach but it's far away and you don't want to get sunburned, then you should definitely try swimming in Lake Inawashiro
Enjoy Lake Inawashiro sightseeing boats all year round
There are also sightseeing boats on Lake Inawashiro
Inawashiro Sightseeing Boat Co., Ltd. operates two sightseeing boats, named "Hakucho-maru" and "Kame-maru." As their names suggest, they are shaped like a swan and a turtle, and seem to be popular with children
Regular operations are handled by the Hakucho Maru, while the Kame Maru seems to be used mainly for event operations such as Christmas cruises
From swan watching and marine sports to camping and sightseeing boat tours, Lake Inawashiro can be enjoyed all year round, in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. When you come to Fukushima Prefecture, why not visit Lake Inawashiro?
