Numazawa Ko (Lake) Recreation Forest：Forestry Agency

JAPANESE

Lake Numazawa surrounded by autumn hues
Panoramic view of Lake Numazawa from near the summit of Mt. Maeyama
Lake Numazawa Festival
Bright golden autumn leaves
Dense verdure along a walking trail
Families having fun on the lakeside
Lake Numazawa
FLake Numazawa, where sockeye salmon dwell

Numazawa Ko (Lake) Recreation Forest

114.75ha

Elevation Lowest: 480 m / Average: 500–700 m / Highest: 835 m

Lake of legend nestled in a forest

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Area: Kanto

Activities: Flower-viewing(species: Azaki Daikon) : Tarabu Highland(Outside the forest) Autumn leaf viewing (Includes surrounding area) Birdwatching (Includes surrounding area) Picnics (lawn area/park) (Outside the forest) Paddling / fishing / boating (pond / lake / river) (Includes surrounding area) Bicycle rental (Outside the forest) Ski resort (no. of trails: 5) (Outside the forest)

Overview

Geographical/topographical features: Lake Numazawa is a caldera lake formed by a volcanic eruption approximately 5,600 years ago. The lake surface is at an elevation of 475 m and the lake is 2 km in diameter, 7 km in circumference and has a maximum depth of 96 m, making it the deepest lake in Fukushima Prefecture. Its water is also said to be the clearest in the prefecture, giving the lake a mystical air and reflecting the seasonal colors of the trees on the lake surface.
Historical/cultural features: According to legend, more than 800 years ago, a giant snake called "Numagozen" lived in Lake Numazawa which sometimes terrorized and harmed local villagers.
Sawara Juro Yoshitsura―the first feudal lord of the medieval Aizu domain who had been given the entire Aizu area by the shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo―heard about this, gathered his retainers and killed the beast.
This legend is re-enacted at the Lake Numazawa Festival held on the first Saturday and Sunday of August every year. On the first day, a giant snake appears, accompanied by fireworks, and on the second day, the giant snake is killed. The festival attracts many tourists.
Climate, flora and fauna: Lake Numazawa is one of the few habitats for Himemasu (sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)) in Japan. Also, the lake is surrounded by a forest of Buna (Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume)) and Mizunara (Japanese oak mizu-nara (Quercus crispula Blume).
This offers an excellent habitat for a variety of wild birds, including Tsutsudori (oriental cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus)), Kogara (Parus montanus), Sanshokui (Pericrocotus divaricatus), Oruri (blue-and-white flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana)) and Kibitaki (narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina)), making the lake ideal for birdwatching.
Attractions: The lakeshore has various facilities to help visitors make the most out of the surrounding natural beauty, such as a park, an auto-camping site, hiking courses and cycling roads.
The Lake Numazawa Festival offers a wide variety of activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and interests. For example, visitors can catch sockeye salmon by hand, try Canadian canoeing, participate in raft racing, see a dynamic fireworks show where a giant snake appears in front of Niagara Falls-style fireworks and take part in setting candle-lit lanterns afloat on the lake, creating a magical scene.
The Lake Numazawa shore is also home of one of Japan’s few fairy-themed art museums. The museum displays fairy paintings, picture books, dolls and bronze statues expressing the four seasons, centering on the collection of Imura Kimie, a scholar of English literature and a leading expert on fairies. The 6 m-high stained glass work in the museum was created by Amano Yoshitaka, a world-renowned character designer and illustrator.
Other: Tarabu Highland southwest of Lake Numazawa is home to wild Azaki Daikon, Kaneyama Town's specialty daikon radish. This daikon blooms in a sudden burst of pale purple flowers from mid-May to mid-June, highlighting early summer in the mountain village. Azaki Daikon is characterized by its strong spiciness and is highly valued as a condiment for soba noodles.

Latest Information

Regular events: Lake Numazawa Festival (August)

Usage Guide

Entrance fee: Free
Operating hours and seasons: Accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Accommodation options: Numazawa Lakeside Camping Ground, Hayato Onsen (hot spring) (2 accommodation facilities)

Facility: Toilets and drinking fountains (Outside the forest) Walking trail (Includes surrounding area) Bike trail (Outside the forest) Parking lot (Outside the forest) Observation platform Vending machine (Outside the forest) Shop (Outside the forest) Restaurant (Outside the forest) Campsite and/or cabins (Outside the forest) Resource center/Museum : Fairy Museum (Outside the forest) (Payment required) Accommodation facilities (Hotels/Japanese inns) : Hayato Onsen, Tamanashi Onsen (Outside the forest) Hot Spring : Hayato Onsen, Tamanashi Onsen (Outside the forest)