Urabandai Goshikinuma — The Color-Changing Ponds of Fukushima

In the highlands north of Mt. Bandai in central Fukushima Prefecture, a remarkable landscape was created in an instant: the 1888 eruption of Mt. Bandai collapsed the mountain's north face, releasing a debris avalanche that dammed multiple valleys and created over 300 new ponds and lakes in a single catastrophic event. Today, this volcanic landscape — designated Bandai-Asahi National Park — contains some of Japan's most extraordinary water scenery. The Goshikinuma (Five-Colored Ponds) are the most celebrated: a collection of ponds each displaying distinctly different water colors due to varying mineral compositions from the volcanic substrate.

Highlights

The Goshikinuma Nature Trail (about 4 kilometers, 90 minutes) winds through forest past five main ponds and numerous smaller ones: Bishamon-numa (deep blue-green), Aka-numa (reddish-brown), Midori-numa (vivid green), Benten-numa (blue), and Rurikake-numa (turquoise). Each pond's color results from different concentrations of volcanic minerals — sulfur, iron, aluminum — in its water. The colors are constant across seasons, though their intensity varies with light and weather.

Nearby Lake Hibara (Hibara-ko) — the largest lake created by the 1888 eruption — provides sailing, fishing, and lake cruises across water dotted with submerged tree stumps from the original forest buried by the debris flow.

The highland area offers excellent hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter, with the entire Urabandai plateau accessible by car from spring through autumn.

Getting There & Tips

From Inawashiro Station on the JR Banetsu-sai Line, take a bus to Goshikinuma (about 30 minutes). By car, the Goshikinuma visitor center has a large parking area. The nature trail is flat and suitable for all ages — good footwear recommended.

Best Time to Visit

May through October for full access. Autumn (October) for foliage reflected in the colored ponds — the season's most dramatic combination. Spring (May–June) for fresh green and snowmelt water volume.