Enjoy Lake Inawashiro: Introducing 10 recommended sightseeing spots around Lake Inawashiro

Lake Inawashiro, a tourist attraction in Fukushima Prefecture, is the fourth largest lake in Japan. It belongs to Bandai-Asahi National Park and has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 scenic spots. The lake is a representative tourist destination of Fukushima Prefecture, showcasing beautiful seasonal flowers and autumn foliage, allowing visitors to appreciate its grandeur throughout the year. There are various leisure activities, including marine sports and campgrounds, and a bit further from the lake, you can find ski resorts and hot springs that cater to a wide range of tourists of all ages.

You can reach Inawashiro in about two hours by any mode of transportation, making it a great option for a day trip. Here, we will introduce sightseeing spots around Lake Inawashiro that offer leisure activities, gourmet dining, and hot springs.

1. Enjoy the Scenery of Inawashiro from a Sightseeing Cruise

Located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture, Lake Inawashiro is a large lake that spans across Koriyama City, Aizuwakamatsu City, and Inawashiro Town in Yama County. The surface of the lake reflects the majestic Mt. Bandai, which is a symbol of Fukushima Prefecture, along with the blue sky and surrounding nature, all accompanied by a refreshing breeze. On clear days, the magnificent Mt. Bandai is vividly mirrored on the surface of Lake Inawashiro, earning it the nickname "Heaven Mirror Lake."

You can enjoy the beauty of Lake Inawashiro from the water aboard the "Bandai Tourist Boat." The charming sightseeing cruise ship "Kame Maru" accommodates 150 passengers and features a two-story design reminiscent of a parent turtle and its child, which brings a smile to visitors with its cuteness. Inside, the layout resembles a dining area.

The elegantly designed "Hakuchou Maru" accommodates 155 passengers and evokes images of swans that migrate to Lake Inawashiro. Many visitors choose seats by the windows to enjoy views of Inawashiro's natural surroundings or take photos. Both boats are popular among tourists visiting Lake Inawashiro. The sightseeing route departs from Nagahama and takes about 35 minutes to tour the uninhabited island of Okina Island in the northwest part of the lake. While there are specific holidays during the winter season, they operate nearly every day.

The "Lake Center Tour," which progresses towards the center of Lake Inawashiro, takes approximately 90 minutes. Reservations are required, but it allows you to fully enjoy the charms of Lake Inawashiro. They also accept requests for private charters and boat parties, making it ideal for families or groups looking for an enjoyable Inawashiro experience. Wedding ceremonies aboard the boats are also popular, where couples can take wedding photos with Kame Maru or Hakuchou Maru.

2. Let's Go See the Powerful Waterfall! Popular Spot: Tachizawa Fudotaki

Tachizawa Fudotaki is a famous tourist spot in Inawashiro, selected as one of the "New Eight Views of Inawashiro" and one of the "Top 30 Waters of Fukushima." Located about 40 minutes by car or bus from Inawashiro Station, you can reach the stunning waterfall by walking along a natural trail for about 10 minutes after getting off.

The waterfall, which drops 10 meters and spans 16 meters in width, creates a magnificent sight and the sound of the cascading water captivates visitors. The central waterfall, known as the Male Waterfall, has a powerful presence as it flows over a large, black rock like a curtain, allowing you to observe the water striking the rocks below. The walking path extends right up to the waterfall, letting you get close to its impressive power while you soak in the negative ions.

Next to the Male Waterfall flows the more delicate and graceful Female
Waterfall, creating a striking contrast between the two. This area attracts many photographers each year. Surrounded by lush trees, the site has a mystical atmosphere, and the changing seasons provide a rich natural display. Beautiful maples are planted around Tachizawa Fudotaki, and during autumn, many tourists come to see the brilliant red leaves that frame the majestic waterfall.

At the base of the waterfall, Fudo Myoo is enshrined, and the festival held on the 19th day of the fourth lunar month attracts worshippers from both inside and outside Fukushima Prefecture. The serene appearance of the shrine and the torii gate blends harmoniously with the surrounding scenery, making it a popular tourist destination.

3. Enjoy a Leisurely Time at Lake Inawashiro: Camping, Boating, and Swimming

The shores of Lake Inawashiro feature about nine beautiful beaches, making it a great spot for marine sports, including swimming in the lake during the summer. It’s quite rare to find a lake where you can swim in Japan. Each year, not only tourists but also many locals come to enjoy this area. For those who love marine activities and the outdoors, camping is highly recommended.

Around Lake Inawashiro, you can find a variety of campsites, from well-equipped sites suitable for beginners and families with small children to spots where you can stop for a quick overnight stay while touring. After enjoying swimming and boating, why not camp under the stunning starry sky of Inawashiro? Not only is it a fantastic spot for day trips, but you can also enjoy the outdoors at Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture. Camping in Inawashiro’s natural setting is a great way to unwind and recharge.

◆Tenjinhama Auto Campsite

At Tenjinbama Auto Camping Ground, you’ll find facilities such as lodges and coin showers, making it a comfortable place for first-time campers. The tent sites are surrounded by trees along the shores of Lake Inawashiro, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the outdoor atmosphere.

◆RV Resort Lake Inawashiro Mobility

On the Aizuwakamatsu City side, RV Resort Inawashiro Lake Mobilage is a large campground that offers sites for both tent camping and RVs. It features coin showers, flushing toilets, and even a private outdoor hot spring, making it a wonderful place for families to relax and enjoy.

◆Sakigawahama Campsite

There are also free campsites around Lake Inawashiro. Sakikawahama Campground in Aizuwakamatsu City allows you to camp right by the swimming area. With a fantastic location nestled between the lake and the trees, it offers a peaceful atmosphere for visitors.

4. The Art of Winter: What is "Spray Ice" at Lake Inawashiro

During the depths of winter, Lake Inawashiro showcases a natural ice sculpture known as "spray ice." This rare phenomenon in Japan attracts many tourists to the lake each winter. The best time to see it is from January to February, when the lake water is blown by strong west winds, causing it to freeze upon contact with the trees along the shore.

The shapes of the spray ice vary with the temperature and weather, making it a true piece of natural art. The contrast with the snow-capped Mt. Bandai is breathtaking, making it a popular spot for tourists and photography enthusiasts alike. Spray ice can be observed on the eastern shore of Lake Inawashiro, about one kilometer from the Tenjinbama parking lot, where signs guide visitors for easy navigation.

A stream flows along the snow-covered paths surrounded by trees, allowing you to enjoy snow hiking, an experience you don’t often get. In addition, swans, designated as a natural monument, visit Lake Inawashiro during winter. The graceful swans gathering on the lake attract both tourists and locals, making the lakeshore a lively place filled with people and swans.

When visiting Lake Inawashiro during this season, be sure to dress warmly. Wear warm socks and non-slip shoes, and don’t forget gloves and a neck warmer.

5. Enjoy Winter Sports All Day Long at Lake Inawashiro

Mt. Bandai, a symbol of Fukushima Prefecture, rises about 1,816 meters high. Its majestic presence is clearly visible from Lake Inawashiro, where it’s affectionately known as “Aizu Fuji” and is listed among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. While Inawashiro is a year-round tourist destination, winter is especially known for its winter sports. Let’s explore some excellent ski resorts where you can fully enjoy winter sports.

◆Inawashiro Ski Resort

Inawashiro Ski Resort, located in the Bandai Kogen area, is one of the oldest ski resorts in Fukushima Prefecture, beloved by both tourists and locals alike. With 16 courses, it boasts vast slopes and a sense of openness that’s hard to find at other ski areas. Beginners can feel secure here, while experienced skiers and snowboarders can enjoy wooded trails and expansive giant slalom courses. It’s a multi-functional ski resort suitable for all levels.

◆ Listelsky Fantasia

Listel Ski Fantasia, part of the Hotel Listel Inawashiro, offers seven diverse courses suitable for families and advanced skiers alike. From gentle slopes ideal for beginners to challenging mogul runs for experts, there’s something for everyone. The exhilaration of skiing down from Mt. Bandai toward Lake Inawashiro is truly captivating. There’s also a snow play area for young children, making it a fun family destination.

◆Grand Sunpia Inawashiro Ski Resort

At Grand Sunpia Inawashiro Ski Resort, you can enjoy skiing across nine courses. Experience thrilling runs that dive from the mountain to the lake, gentle slopes for a relaxed skiing experience, and long courses stretching up to 2,500 meters while taking in breathtaking views overlooking Lake Inawashiro. With an on-site ski school and childcare facilities, it’s perfect for those wanting to ski all day long.

6. Events Galore: Enjoy Festivals Around Lake Inawashiro All Year Round

Lake Inawashiro spans across Koriyama City, Aizuwakamatsu City, and Inawashiro Town in Yama County. The surrounding area hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, attracting not only tourists but also many locals from Fukushima Prefecture. If you’re visiting Lake Inawashiro, be sure to check out these exciting events! From the Snow Viewing Cherry Blossom Festival to the Wooden Boat Pulling Festival, there are many delightful celebrations in the region.

◆Bandai Festival

Beginning in 1948, the Bandai Festival is one of the most historic events in the Inawashiro Lake area. Started as a memorial for those who perished in the Bandai volcanic eruption, this festival has evolved into a fire festival celebrated to this day. It features traditional events such as the Aizu Bandai Mountain Dance, along with stage shows and bingo games, ensuring enjoyment for everyone from young children to the elderly.

◆Lake Festival

The Lake Festival attracts visitors from both within and outside Fukushima Prefecture, featuring a fireworks display. Held annually in late July, this festival takes place around the southern part of Lake Inawashiro and Takanuma in Koriyama City, offering entertaining events such as tub boat experiences, yamame fishing contests, and underwater tug-of-war competitions. The festival culminates in a stunning fireworks display lighting up the night sky over Lake Inawashiro.

7. A Journey to Heal Body and Soul: Exploring the Hot Springs of Inawashiro

For a relaxing getaway away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, hot springs are highly recommended. The area around Lake Inawashiro is home to many hot springs, ranging from lakeside ryokans (traditional inns) to day-use facilities. The Inawashiro and Mt. Bandai area boasts 16 types of hot springs, with the natural flow rate of Numajiri Motoyu being reputed as the highest in Japan.

The hot springs around Lake Inawashiro offer both excellent mineral quality and stunning scenery, complemented by delicious seafood and mountain delicacies. With numerous ryokans and day-use facilities concentrated in a relatively small area, it’s easy to hop from one hot spring to another. Hopefully, you’ll find your favorite spot in Inawashiro.

◆Lakeside Iwamitsu

When it comes to breathtaking lakeside accommodations, "Lakeside Banko" located on Tsuboagehama beach is a must-visit. This ryokan features natural hot spring water sourced from 1,200 meters underground, and the open-air bath on the third floor offers a stunning view of Lake Inawashiro. The beauty of the sunset is breathtaking. They also offer a great plan where children up to elementary school age can stay for free with an adult, available every day of the year.

◆Tamuraya Ryokan

Located a bit away from Lake Inawashiro, Numajiri Onsen boasts a history of 230 years. Established in 1886, "Tamuraya Ryokan" is a traditional inn featuring large communal baths, a hinoki (cypress) bath, and an open-air bath. It’s popular among both tourists and locals and offers day-use bathing options.

◆Lakeside Hotel Minatoya

Lakeside Hotel Minatoya, located at Nagahama where sightseeing boats depart for Lake Inawashiro, is another great accommodation option that allows you to enjoy the beautiful views of the lake. With Nagahama Beach and tourist boats nearby, it’s perfect for those wanting to explore Lake Inawashiro.

8. Learn About the Life of a Great Man from Inawashiro: The Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum

Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, a world-renowned bacteriologist, hailed from Inawashiro Town and is famously featured on the 1,000-yen bill. The "Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum," which opened in 1939, is located about a 5-minute drive from JR Inawashiro Station. The museum showcases Noguchi's personal effects and documents, and visitors can also tour his childhood home.

The museum includes an exhibition room with his belongings, a Kannon Hall, and a monument at his birthplace, preserving the original structure of his childhood home built in 1823. Visitors can see the hearth where Dr. Noguchi suffered burns and a declaration he carved into a post during his journey to Tokyo.

The exhibition room displays his report cards from his time in Fukushima, along with experimental notes and books written in English from his time in America. There’s also a section called "The Doctor's Laboratory," where Dr. Noguchi virtually greets visitors and answers questions. Other areas feature videos and quizzes to teach about bacteriology, presenting foundational knowledge of bacteria in an accessible way—great for kids' education!

A popular event called "Become Dr. Noguchi!" allows visitors to dress in a lab coat and moustache to mimic the famous scientist. It’s a fun and educational spot where you can spend a day learning, making it a must-visit during your trip to Fukushima.

9. Inawashiro's Soba: The Largest Production in Honshu! Enjoy Local Aizu Cuisine

Inawashiro Town, nestled between Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro, is a highland area blessed with rich nature, delicious water, and a climate with significant temperature variations. This favorable environment has supported soba cultivation since ancient times, dating back to the Heian period. With the largest planting area in Fukushima Prefecture, Inawashiro's soba boasts one of the highest production volumes in the country, making it an essential part of any visit to Fukushima.

Another must-try local dish in Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, is "sauce katsudon." This traditional regional cuisine has a long history, being cherished by the people of Fukushima since the Taisho era. A hearty dish featuring freshly cooked rice topped with shredded cabbage and a crispy tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) soaked in homemade sauce, it’s beloved by both locals and tourists, often causing long lines outside restaurants that serve it.

Inawashiro's pride, soba, and Aizu's local dish, sauce katsudon, are available at many soba shops around Lake Inawashiro. Let’s take a look at some of the best spots to enjoy these dishes.

◆La Neige

A popular spot among tourists, "La Neige" offers handmade 100% buckwheat soba along with sauce katsudon as a set meal. This European-style café sees most visitors drawn in for the soba and sauce katsudon.

◆ Tabishokubo Sanjo

Located along the Echigo Highway, "Tabishokubou Sanjyo" is known for its soba and sauce katsudon, as well as its popular tempura. The combination of thin, handmade soba and crispy tempura has garnered praise from tourists both from inside and outside Fukushima. The hearty sauce katsudon is also a top choice among visitors.

◆ Sanshiro

For those looking for a soba shop right by Lake Inawashiro, "Sanshiro" is the place to go. Although it doesn't serve sauce katsudon, its strong soba flavor makes it a recommendation for soba lovers. It’s a hidden gem that operates only for lunch and closes once the soba runs out.

10. Inawashiro: A Paradise for Sweets! From Western to Japanese Confections

Inawashiro Town is a little-known kingdom of sweets. While it boasts many famous soba restaurants, it also features numerous lakeside cafes and popular sweet shops for tourists.

◆ Senbeiya

One of the signature sweets of Inawashiro is the fried manju from "Senbeya." These are regular manju filled with red bean paste, deep-fried to create a crispy exterior dusted with sugar, while the inside remains moist. They are a favorite among both locals and tourists, often leading to long lines during the tourist season. If you want to try them, it's advisable to reserve them in advance.

◆Original Shimizuya

Also popular is the tempura manju, a traditional dish that can be considered a regional specialty of Aizu. This custom originated from deep-frying leftover manju offered to the gods, and it has become a representative souvenir of Fukushima. "Ganso Shimizuya" is a longstanding soba shop that has been serving customers since the Meiji era, with over 100 years of history in tempura manju. Be sure to try it during your visit.

◆TARO CAFE

You can also enjoy delicious cakes and drinks while overlooking Lake Inawashiro at "TARO CAFE." Located by the lakeshore, this trendy café features a reflexology salon and is popular for its original blend coffees, lattes, and sweets. In summer, the open terrace offers a spectacular view of Lake Inawashiro, attracting both tourists and locals alike.

◎Summary

Lake Inawashiro offers a wealth of leisure and sightseeing opportunities, as well as breathtaking views and historical attractions. With high-quality hot springs and delicious food, it attracts many visitors year after year. Whether you're interested in marine activities and camping for a full day of adventure or prefer a tranquil hot spring tour to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you can enjoy Inawashiro in a way that suits your preferences.