10 Lakes and Marshes in Hokkaido and Tohoku You Must See!

1. Numa no Hira [Hokkaido] 

Hokkaido's Mt. Asahi, the tallest volcano in the area, is home to various ponds and lakes in the high-elevation marshlands. Numa no Hira is a pond made from a crater that's filled with water,. The sight of Mt. Asahi reflected in the still surface of Numa no Hira on a sunny day is an enchanting one

HP: www.sounkyo.net/english/

HP: www.sounkyo.net/chinese-t/ (中文)

HP: www.sounkyo.net/category/detail.php?id=52 (Japanese Only)

Address: Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)

2. Lake Mashu [Hokkaido]

Lake Mashu is famous for being the second clearest lake in the world, following Lake Baikal in Russia. It's a mysterious lake because despite there being no water flowing into it the water levels never change. The area around the lake is often foggy, so being able to see the blue color of the lake called "Mashu Blue" is rare, leaving it a relatively unexplored region.

HP: www.masyuko.or.jp/pc/sightseeing/masyuko.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Mashu, Teshikaga-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)

3. Lake Shikotsu [Hokkaido]

Lake Shikotsu is the northernmost lake in Japan but it never freezes. Of course, the lake is beautiful, but on the southern side of the lake there's a small mountain called Kimunmorappu, and there you can see Hokkaido fauna like sika deer and Sakhalin foxes. It's a spot where you can fully enjoy nature. 

HP: shikotsukovc.sakura.ne.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Shikotsuko Onsen, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido (Google Map)

4. Aoiike [Hokkaido]

Aoiike is a popular Hokkaido sightseeing spot, and it's a glittering cobalt blue lake. The contrast between the blue lake and the white trees growing in the middle is stunning and somehow spiritual. A photo of Aoiike is used as a wallpaper for Apple's MacBooks, so after that it became a popular sightseeing location in recent years. 

HP: www.biei-hokkaido.jp/en/

HP: www.biei-hokkaido.jp/tw/ (中文)

HP: www.biei-hokkaido.jp/search/sightseeing/viewspot/000035.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)

5. Lake Akan [Hokkaido]

Lake Akan, in the northern area of Hokkaido, was designated a Rasmar site in 2005, and it is home to marimo, the moss balls that have been designated as natural treasures, as well as salmon and trout. In the winter, the lake freezes, and it becomes an area where you can enjoy ice fishing for pond smelt and other winter sports. 

HP: www.lake-akan.com/en/

HP: www.lake-akan.com/tw/ (中文)

HP: www.lake-akan.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Akan-ko, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido (Google Map)

6. Lake Ogawara [Aomori]

Lake Ogawara, in northern Aomori, is Aomori's biggest lake. Because various kinds of flora and fauna exist in the enviornment of the lake, the locals call it a "treasure lake." Because this area is where the most whitebait are fished in Japan, there is a tradition of eating the fish alive right after they've been fished. Please try it. 

HP: www.town.tohoku.lg.jp/kankou/course/kankou_course03.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 191 Aza Ogawarako, Oaza Oura, Tohoku-machi, Kamikita-gun, Aomori (Google Map)

7. Lake Tazawa [Akita]

Lake Tazawa has a maximum depth of 423.3m, and it's Japan's deepest lake. Depending on the depth of the lake and the light hitting the surface, the lake has a range of colors, from jade green to deep indigo blue. Because of that, it's been called Japan's Lake Baikal. There are pleasure boats and paddle boats available, so you can enjoy sightseeing there to your heart's content. 

HP: www.tazawako.org/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Tazawako, Senboku-shi, Akita (Google Map)

8. Goshikinuma [Fukushima]

Goshikinuma is a mysterious collection of lakes where you can see lakes of different colors, including red, blue, and green. Depending on the season, time of day, and weather, the lakes change color as well. There are various trekking courses available to see all the lakes, and you can see them all in around an hour. 

HP: www.urabandai-inf.com/urabandai/goshiki.html

HP: www.urabandai-inf.com/urabandai/goshiki.html (中文)

HP: www.urabandai-inf.com/urabandai/goshiki.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Oaza Hibara, Kitashiobara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima(Google Map)

9. Lake Inawashiro [Fukushima]

The beautiful clear surface looks so much like a mirror that this lake is also called "the mirror lake of heaven." From the lake you can see all the way to Mt. Bandai, and it is reflected in the surface of the lake. In the winter, flocks of swans migrate from Siberia so it's one of Japan's leading migration areas. 

HP: www.bandaisan.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Inawashiro-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima (Google Map)

10. Ryugakubo [Niigata]

Ryugakubo is a surprising output of 30 tons of water per minute, so since every day the lake is completely refreshed it never gets dirty. Since the quality is so high it can be drunk, and it's said to be delicious. It's a lake that's said to have dragons living in it, so it's also a sacred place revered by locals.

HP: www.town.tsunan.niigata.jp/site/kanko/ryugakubo.html

HP: www.town.tsunan.niigata.jp/site/kanko/ryugakubo.html (中文)

HP: www.town.tsunan.niigata.jp/site/kanko/ryugakubo.html (Japanese Only)

Address:Yachi, Tsunan-cho, Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata (Google Map)