Goshikinuma Lake
Goshikinuma Lake
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
614 reviews
Excellent
285
Very good
266
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55
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7
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1
saikou
Tokyo125 contributions
Oct 2020
This and the sights along the Azuma Bandai Skyline are why we went. Neither disappointed.
The colors of the many ponds are wonderful. The fall colors of the trees complemented perfectly. The water is incredibly clear.
The colors of the many ponds are wonderful. The fall colors of the trees complemented perfectly. The water is incredibly clear.
Written October 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mabei0123
Tsukuba, Japan16,707 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Goshiki-numa Walk or "Five Colored Pond Walk," is the most popular walking trail in Urabandai, literally "behind Bandai", also known as the Bandai Kogen(Highlands). It's a group of very picturesque lakes and ponds on a highland plain in Bandai-Asahi National Park, Fukushima Prefecture, about 3 km north of the foot of Mt. Bandai. They have existed only since 1887, when Mt. Bandai erupted. The eruption rearranged the landscape, creating the Bandai Kogen plateau damming local rivers and imparted mineral deposits to the Five Colored Ponds giving each of them their own delicate color, ranging from reddish green to cobalt blue. The colors of each lake mysteriously fluctuate throughout the year with the weather, making Goshiki-numa a popular tourist destination. A @4 km walking path from Lake Bishamon, the largest of the five lakes, to Lake Hibara affords people a view of all Five Ponds.
I've visited these Ponds numerous times, since many of my ancestors had lived in the Aizu area of the Fukushima Prefecture. My grandfather created his second house on Lake Hibara near these ponds. It always is a beautiful hike for an hour!!
I've visited these Ponds numerous times, since many of my ancestors had lived in the Aizu area of the Fukushima Prefecture. My grandfather created his second house on Lake Hibara near these ponds. It always is a beautiful hike for an hour!!
Written January 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asterix135
Toronto, Canada208 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This is a very nice hike with views of a number of lakes that have been turned unreal colours of blue and green by volcanic sediment.
The hike itself is pretty easy. It's not a paved path or anything, but it's not difficult.
The lakes are really impressive to see, and the hike is well worth the trip.
The main thing to pay attention to here is logistics, as the hike begins and ends at different locations. There's a bus that runs between the two once every 1-2 hours, at 250 yen/person, or, when we went, an enterprising taxi driver waiting at the end who'd take you back immediately for about 1350 yen.
The best lakes are closest to the Urubandai Visitor's Centre, so if you can arrange it to end up there, your hike will get better as you go - plus it'll be downhill overall.
The hike itself is pretty easy. It's not a paved path or anything, but it's not difficult.
The lakes are really impressive to see, and the hike is well worth the trip.
The main thing to pay attention to here is logistics, as the hike begins and ends at different locations. There's a bus that runs between the two once every 1-2 hours, at 250 yen/person, or, when we went, an enterprising taxi driver waiting at the end who'd take you back immediately for about 1350 yen.
The best lakes are closest to the Urubandai Visitor's Centre, so if you can arrange it to end up there, your hike will get better as you go - plus it'll be downhill overall.
Written July 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James A
London, UK124 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
A nice walk for about and hour and a half past lakes of varying from rich turquoise to murky green and a little of red. There is also the option to try row boats on the first lake. We started at Koriyama and took a train to inawashiro which needed a bus to get to the start of the trail and the visitors centre.
There is a blue sign outside the train station with goshikinuma written in kanji outside. I would recommend learning the kanji for the places as the timetables weren’t in English and we didn’t have anyone to ask.
The walk was lovely and relaxing with a map (100¥) at the visitors centre. The path was a little bit busy at times but nothing to complain about. The waiting between buses and trains did add time. For example, we reached the end of the walk and the next bus was due in an hour and fifteen minutes while there was forty minutes wait between the bus and the next train. No ones fault but bring a book or get some data for your phone otherwise it could be a long time.
There is a blue sign outside the train station with goshikinuma written in kanji outside. I would recommend learning the kanji for the places as the timetables weren’t in English and we didn’t have anyone to ask.
The walk was lovely and relaxing with a map (100¥) at the visitors centre. The path was a little bit busy at times but nothing to complain about. The waiting between buses and trains did add time. For example, we reached the end of the walk and the next bus was due in an hour and fifteen minutes while there was forty minutes wait between the bus and the next train. No ones fault but bring a book or get some data for your phone otherwise it could be a long time.
Written August 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J0nBauer
Hamamatsu, Japan19 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
My wife and I liked the hike so much we walked the 3.7 km trail three times in our five day stay in the area. It can be a bit crowded from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, so if you can try to walk it earlier or later.
Written August 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynkster
Australia253 contributions
Dec 2019
Absolutely beautiful (and freezing) in winter. The thick snows however, do make it hard to locate the path at first, if you're coming from the Bishamon Pond end of the path. Hire boots at the visitor's centre - you pay a 1000 yen deposit and get it back (and your shoes) when you return them. Very few people brave the cold to trek the path, so if you're keen, now's a great time to go. Check with the Aizuwakamatsu tourist centre on public transport options, although the bus runs on a limited time, so you might be better off renting a car to get there.
Written December 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie L
Leichhardt, Australia916 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
I've been here a few times as I lived in Koriyama many years ago, but I hadn't taken a row boat out on the lake before so that was something new! It's cheap (700¥) and unlike Australia there isn't 10 minutes of safety induction first! You just get in and go. Very refreshing.
We also walked about half way (800m) along the trail to see all the different colored lakes. It's a nice walk, but the trail is narrow in most places so you're forever having to step off to let people go past. I must have said konichi wa about a hundred times in 30 minutes.
The peach soft serve ice creams are also worth a try!
We also walked about half way (800m) along the trail to see all the different colored lakes. It's a nice walk, but the trail is narrow in most places so you're forever having to step off to let people go past. I must have said konichi wa about a hundred times in 30 minutes.
The peach soft serve ice creams are also worth a try!
Written June 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara W
Utah395 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
A lovely walk, even in summer. The path is fairly level and well maintained. Lots of lakes and viewpoints. Would like to do it again in autumn.
Written October 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trip102803
Bangkok, Thailand13 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
It is an easy walk through the forest with beautiful views. The lakes have impressive colors. It is also possible to take a small row boat on one of the lake.
Written June 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saoirse C
4 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
Beautiful 2 hour walk through the amazingly coloured lakes. Easy public access. Cute gift shop at the other end. Everyone says a quiet friendly 'konitchiwa' to eachother on the walk. Definitely worth a visit. Go early to avoid tourists and midday sun.
Written January 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
babymiki
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia54 contributions
My friend and I plan to visit this lake in Feb next year. Is it safe for us to hike in ourselves?
Teerasej J
Bangkok, Thailand1 contribution
The Goshikinuma Ponds' trail is good for beginner. So, it is not completely flat. There're few up and down along the way. But be careful about the rocky path and wet season.
ワンちゃん連れて行っても大丈夫ですか
Mitsuo K
Fujisawa, Japan43 contributions
私が行ったときも、犬の散歩をしている人を見かけましたので、大丈夫だと思います！楽しんできて下さい！
jedda
Queensland, Australia162 contributions
Thank you, J0nBauer. We are really happy that this time of year will still be good to travel to that area. The walks and area sound lovely. Appreciate your answer.
jedda
Queensland, Australia162 contributions
We are considering using a JR Rail Pass to travel to Aizuwakamatsu 11-14 November. We would need to use public transport or hire a car to visit Goshikinuma, Azuma Kofuji, Kitakata and Inawashiro -Ko Lake. Is this a feasible plan at this time in November? Thank you for any helpful suggestions/advice.
J0nBauer
Hamamatsu, Japan19 contributions
You can access these places by local train or bus, but you'd be better off renting a car. Goshikinuma can be accessed by bus, but it's a good 30-45 minute ride from the bus terminal at the train station. Public transport may be pretty crowded for the dates you mention, as autumn leaves are at their peak and day trippers will likely be out in droves. Try to get to Goshikinuma early before the tour buses arrive mid-morning. The 3km hike really is quite beautiful, but much more so if you can beat the crowds. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Jiamin Z
Shanghai, China1 contribution
Wow. This lake looks so attractive and definitely worth a try. Emm the only concern is that the trail is a bit too short and easy for me and my girlfriend. (4 km, right? ). We are relatively strong hikers and regularly go far hiking in the weekend. So the question is how to extend this hiking trail into a fruitful hiking 2-day-weekend leaving from Tokyo?
I noticed that we can also summited the Bandai mountain from that trail within 3~4 hours one way. So probably that can fill the first day. So questions is
1. Is it feasible if we leave Tokyo early Saturday morning to hike Goshikinuma Lake and summit Bandai mountain?
2. Do we have to take the same trail up and down the Bandai mountain?
3. Any suggestion for the onsen hotel in that area? Preferably walkable from the trail or accessible by bus from the station after we get off the mountain. We would prefer a nice Japanese hotel with private onsen in the room. But of course without private onsen in the room will be fine. We deserve a nice retreat after a whole day hike
4. Any suggestions what to do the next day? Maybe hike the Jyododaira (where there is.crater and a lake, right?) or any another lake trail or any other things to do?
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Claim your listingGoshikinuma Lake - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Goshikinuma Lake
- Hotels near Goshikinuma Lake:
- (0.06 mi) Hotel Goshikiso
- (0.16 mi) Urabandai Youth Hostel
- (0.27 mi) Active Resorts Urabandai
- (0.31 mi) Pension Hotaru
- (0.33 mi) Alvin
- Restaurants near Goshikinuma Lake:
- (0.22 mi) Morimori
- (0.31 mi) Museum Cafe Morohashi Museumof Modern Art
- (0.33 mi) Il Regalo
- (0.65 mi) Suiho
- (0.79 mi) Gold House Meguro No. 2
- Attractions near Goshikinuma Lake:
- (0.31 mi) Morohashi Museum of Modern Art
- (0.53 mi) Akanuma
- (0.66 mi) Bandai Kogen
- (0.76 mi) Mt. Bandai Eruption Museum
- (0.85 mi) Bentennuma
Goshikinuma Lake Information
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