Lake Inawashiro

Located in the central part of Fukushima Prefecture, Lake Inawashiro is a vast lake that spans the cities of Aizuwakamatsu and Koriyama, as well as the town of Inawashiro. With an area of about 103 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 93.5 meters, it ranks as the fourth largest lake in Japan. Excluding brackish lakes where seawater mixes in, it is the third largest freshwater lake in the country. Its immense scale can even make it seem like the sea.

The lake is highly transparent, with historical records showing visibility of more than 12 meters. Even today, it is known as one of Japan’s clearest lakes, and its beauty has earned it the nickname “Tenkyoko,” or “Mirror of the Sky,” for the crystal-clear surface that reflects the heavens.

Water Quality and Ecosystem
Lake Inawashiro is a slightly acidic, nutrient-poor lake, due to the fact that the Nagase River flowing into it contains volcanic acidic water. As a result, aquatic plants and algae do not grow abundantly, and fishing is limited to species such as dace and crucian carp. On the other hand, this unique environment supports a valuable ecosystem, including the nationally designated natural monument of the Mizusugikoke moss colony, and it is also known as a flyway for swans.

Scenery and Seasonal Appeal
Lake Inawashiro is designated as part of Bandai-Asahi National Park and, together with Mount Bandai, forms one of the representative landscapes of Aizu. The sight of Mount Bandai reflected on the lake’s surface in every season is especially beautiful and captivates many visitors.

Spring: From the lakeshore, visitors can enjoy views of cherry blossoms and Mount Bandai at the same time. Funozaki Park and the cherry tree-lined path along the Kannonji River are especially famous.
Summer: Swimming in the lake, camping, and water sports such as yachting and windsurfing are popular. The lake is loved for the comfortable water quality unique to freshwater.
Autumn: The colorful foliage is beautifully reflected on the lake’s surface, and nearby places such as Hetsu Shrine draw many visitors as famous spots for autumn leaves.
Winter: Thousands of swans fly in from Siberia, creating a dreamlike scene. Another winter highlight is “shibuki-ice,” formed when waves splash onto trees and freeze, a rare natural phenomenon in Japan.

Tourist Spots and Activities
A number of observation points and tourist facilities have been developed along the lakeshore. In particular, the view of the lake from the “Showa no Mori” observation deck is spectacular. Sightseeing boats operate on the lake throughout the year, allowing visitors to enjoy a cruise with Mount Bandai in the background.

In the northwestern part of the lake lies its only island, Okina Island. A legend associated with the famous monk Kobo Daishi, or Kukai, is said to be the origin of its name, preserving a historical anecdote to this day.

Surrounding Area
Around Lake Inawashiro, there are scattered ranches and hot spring resorts, as well as many areas where visitors can enjoy driving and café hopping. Ski resorts including Inawashiro Ski Resort are also nearby, making the area a popular base for winter sports.

Lake Inawashiro is a freshwater lake of remarkable size and clarity, and its beauty has earned it the name “Tenkyoko,” the Mirror of the Sky. The seasonal scenery created together with Mount Bandai captivates every visitor, and the lake offers different attractions throughout the year, including swimming, marine sports, camping, autumn leaf viewing, swan watching, and shibuki-ice viewing. With its combination of natural beauty and rich tourism resources, this lake is truly one of Fukushima Prefecture’s most iconic sightseeing destinations.