Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, we will introduce a touring trip to Goshikinuma, a mysterious group of lakes and marshes in Urabandai, Fukushima Prefecture. I set out on a motorcycle from central Tokyo and traveled about four and a half hours. Goshikinuma refers to seven swamps with particularly beautiful colors out of the hundreds of swamps created by the eruption of Mt. Bandai. As the name suggests, it is a mysterious place where the colors vary depending on the swamp, such as emerald green and cobalt blue. This time, we will tell you about its charm, highlights, motorcycle parking, etc. in detail.
Goshikinuma is a group of lakes that was created when Mt. Bandai erupted in 1888, and a rock avalanche caused by the collapse of the mountain dammed the river. Among them, seven marshes are particularly beautiful and are called “Goshiki-numa”: Bishamon-numa, Akanuma, Midoronuma, Ryunuma, Benten-numa, Ruri-numa, and Aonuma. In 2016, it was awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide.
The biggest feature of Goshikinuma, as its name suggests, is that each swamp has a different color. Colors such as emerald green, cobalt blue, and turquoise blue are so vivid that you can’t believe they were created by nature. Aonuma in particular is a deep blue color that looks like a jewel. This color difference is said to change depending on the weather, season, viewing angle, and volcanic substances contained in the water. Also, the colors look slightly different depending on the season and time of day, making it a place you’ll want to visit again and again.
Route to Goshikinuma
I took a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Goshikinuma. Below is the route I took.
From central Tokyo, head north on the Metropolitan Expressway and enter the Tohoku Expressway.
Drive approximately 250km on the Tohoku Expressway, then transfer to the Banetsu Expressway from Koriyama JCT.
Drive approximately 40km on the Ban’etsu Expressway and exit at Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC.
Proceed approximately 10km west on National Route 115 and turn left onto National Route 459.
Proceed approximately 20km north on National Route 459 and turn right near the Urabandai Visitor Center.
Arrive at the Goshikinuma Entrance Tourist Plaza, located about 2km from the Urabandai Visitor Center.
This route uses the Tohoku Expressway and the Banetsu Expressway. Also, National Route 459 used to be a toll road called Bandai Azuma Skyline, but it is now open to the public for free. This road is a scenic route that runs along the foothills of Mt. Bandai, with many curves and ups and downs, making it a fun road for motorcyclists. However, please note that it is closed during the winter.
The highlight of Goshikinuma is its beautiful colors. I went around Goshikinuma by walking along a hiking course called the Nature Trail from the Goshikinuma Entrance Tourist Plaza. This course is approximately 4km long and is mostly flat. The trip takes about an hour and a half, but it will take longer if you take photos and take breaks. I walked for about 2 hours.
On the nature trail, you can see eight swamps: Bishamon-numa, Akanuma, Midoronuma, Ryunuma, Benten-numa, Ruri-numa, Aonuma, and Yanaginuma. You can also ride a rowboat at the largest Bishamon pond. I didn’t go on the boat, so I would like to try it next time. There is an information board installed at each swamp, where you can learn about its name and characteristics. The place that impressed me the most was Aonuma. The deep blue color was so beautiful that it was impossible to convey it in the photo. The other swamps each have their own unique characteristics, and I was able to walk through them without getting bored.
Goshikinuma motorcycle parking lot
There are two motorcycle parking lots in Goshikinuma. One is the parking lot of the Urabandai Visitor Center next to the Goshikinuma Entrance Tourist Plaza. You can use it for free, but the number of seats is limited. I parked here, but if you don’t get there early, there’s a good chance it will be full. The other is the parking lot of Urabandai Bussankan located at the exit of Urabandai Kogen Station. You can also use it for free, but the number of seats is limited. This is close to Yaginuma and Aonuma, so it is recommended for those who want to see it from there.
summary
This time, we introduced touring to Goshikinuma in Urabandai, Fukushima Prefecture. Goshikinuma is a mysterious group of lakes created by the eruption of Mt. Bandai, and you can enjoy the colorful waters of the lake. You can tour eight swamps by walking on a hiking course called the Nature Trail. Motorcycle parking is also available for free, so you can easily visit. I rode ${myBike} for about 4 and a half hours, and it was a really fun tour. Goshikinuma is a place where you can feel the beauty and mystery of nature. If you are a motorcyclist, please come and visit us at least once. I would like to go on a tour to another place. See you in the next blog.
