Goshikinuma 五色沼

The colorful ponds and lakes in Fukushima known as Goshikinuma were born when Mt. Bandai erupted over a century ago. Influenced by the volcanic elements and minerals, each body of water has its own distinctive color, and these hues are enhanced and altered by the changing seasons.

Goshikinuma is accessible by both train and bus.

From Tokyo, take the shinkansen 90 minutes north to Koriyama Station. Transfer to the rapid train heading to Inawashiro Station via the Banetsu West Line. A 30-minute bus ride will take you to the entrance of Goshikinuma.

The lakes in Urabandai form part of Bandai-Asahi National Park. When Mt. Bandai erupted, the nearby Nagase River deposited the debris and various minerals into a group of roughly 30 marshes and lakes. The different minerals and pH levels give the waters a number of striking colors. The weather and time of day provide even greater variation to these shades.

A four-kilometer nature trail links eight colorful lakes, making it easy to tour them all in just a few hours. A popular activity is to rent a rowboat at Bishamon-numa, the largest lake in the area. Keep an eye out for the brilliantly hued carp swimming in its waters. The area is full of wildflowers and ancient, moss-covered trees.