Lake Ikeda becomes especially scenic in winter with a canola-flower garden. As you take a stroll, keep your eyes open for a lake monster, Isshi.
Summary
Lake Ikeda becomes especially scenic in winter with a canola-flower garden.As you take a stroll, keep your eyes open for a lake monster, Isshi. Try out a marine sport,
Lake Ikeda with Beautiful Canola Flowers in Winter
via Ibusuki tourism net
Lake Ikeda is an oval-shaped caldera lake, located 37 mile (60 km) south of Kagoshima city in Ibusuki city of Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan’s four main islands. With a diameter of 2.2 mi (3.5 km), a circumference of 9.3 mi (15 km) and a surface area of 4.25 sq mi (11 sq km), it’s the largest freshwater lake on the island. Maximum water depth is 764 ft (233 m) and ranks fourth in Japan. There are no rivers or streams that flow into the lake, and so the lake maintains its water level solely with rainfall and spring water. For this reason, the lake’s water clarity ranks seventh in the world. From the lake you can see Mt Kaimon a 3,032 ft (924 m) mountain. Mt Kaimon is known as the “Fuji of Satsuma” because although a lot smaller, it’s a volcano that’s shaped just like Mt Fuji.
via Ibusuki tourism net
Lake Ikeda is at its most beautiful in winter. From the end of December to the beginning of February, canola flowers by the lake are in full bloom. With Mount Kaimon in the background and the canola flowers, the lake turns into a scenic place. Many tourists visit during this time to take a walk by the lake. Different flowers, such as poppies in March, are planted in the same areas, so that visitors can enjoy flowers throughout all of the seasons.
Creatures that Live in the Lake- a Lake Monster?
via Ibusuki tourism net
Giant eels live in the lake. Some of them measure up to 6.6 ft (2 m) long. If you want to see one, the fastest way is to go to a restaurant and souvenir shop called “Isedako Paradise” located right by Lake Ikeda. They have some giant eels they caught at the lake on display. Admission is free and anyone can stop by to see.
Perhaps what Lake Ikeda is most famous for is Isshi, a giant lake monster thought to inhabit the depths of Lake Ikeda. Isshi is said to be 33 ft (10 m) to 66 ft (20 m) long with the looks of a small dinosaur. There is a makeup of an image of Isshi by the lake for photos.
From ancient times, Lake Ikeda was considered a mystic lake with a giant dragon god living in it but the first time Isshii was seen is said to be in 1961. It gained national interest when in 1978, more than twenty people stated they saw Isshi at Lake Ikeda at the same time. That same year, a photo of what is thought to be the black bumps of Isshi, was taken. To this day however, there are no clear images of Isshi or objective evidence that this creature truly exists in Lake Ikeda. Some believe Isshi was probably just a bunch of giant eels grouped together. Hopefully one day, somebody will take a clear picture of Isshi. If you visit, that person could be you!
Perhaps what Lake Ikeda is most famous for is Isshi, a giant lake monster thought to inhabit the depths of Lake Ikeda. Isshi is said to be 33 ft (10 m) to 66 ft (20 m) long with the looks of a small dinosaur. There is a makeup of an image of Isshi by the lake for photos.
From ancient times, Lake Ikeda was considered a mystic lake with a giant dragon god living in it but the first time Isshii was seen is said to be in 1961. It gained national interest when in 1978, more than twenty people stated they saw Isshi at Lake Ikeda at the same time. That same year, a photo of what is thought to be the black bumps of Isshi, was taken. To this day however, there are no clear images of Isshi or objective evidence that this creature truly exists in Lake Ikeda. Some believe Isshi was probably just a bunch of giant eels grouped together. Hopefully one day, somebody will take a clear picture of Isshi. If you visit, that person could be you!
Fun Things to do at Lake Ikeda
Marine sports are available at a shop called Ikedako Marina WARNA by Lake Ikeda. One of the available activites is hydroflying, a relatively new sport where the flyer stands on a board connected to a long hose and flies into the sky with water pressure. Another one is wakesurfing, this too is a relatively new sport, where the rider trails behind a boat, riding the boat’s wake. The rider usually drops the rope from the boat after getting on the wake. All activities are 5,800 yen including practice and dry suit rentals. They have a shower to use afterwards.
If you have children with you, you can also enjoy the public playground right by Lake Ikeda. It’s a fun spot for children. With slides, ropes, and jungle gyms all joined together forming one large Isshi-looking creature. The land is covered with grass so it’s safe for toddlers too. There’s even space for running around.
Activities such as fishing and cycling are also popular at Lake Ikeda, but since there are no rental facilities near by, you would have to bring your own fishing rod and your own bicycle. Freshwater fish such as Koi fish, crucian carps, and black bass are fished there.
If you have children with you, you can also enjoy the public playground right by Lake Ikeda. It’s a fun spot for children. With slides, ropes, and jungle gyms all joined together forming one large Isshi-looking creature. The land is covered with grass so it’s safe for toddlers too. There’s even space for running around.
Activities such as fishing and cycling are also popular at Lake Ikeda, but since there are no rental facilities near by, you would have to bring your own fishing rod and your own bicycle. Freshwater fish such as Koi fish, crucian carps, and black bass are fished there.
Near Lake Ikeda, there are souvenir shops serving drinks and soft-served ice cream. Try their sweet potatoe flavor, as Kagoshima is the prefecture that introduced sweet potatoes to the rest of the country. It is still Japan’s largest producer of sweet potatoes. You can also have lunch at the aforementioned Ikedako Paradise. They are famous for their “flowing somen” a Japanese eating style where you try to catch thin wheat noodles flowing down in a bamboo pipe using your chopsticks. After catching the noodles, you dip them in sauce and eat them. It’s a fun activity usually done with children in the summer.
Pencil in a visit to Lake Ikeda to view the lake and the beautiful flowers in their flower garden, and to try something new like marine sports or flowing somen. Also, don’t forget to keep your eyes open for Isshi because, you never know.
Pencil in a visit to Lake Ikeda to view the lake and the beautiful flowers in their flower garden, and to try something new like marine sports or flowing somen. Also, don’t forget to keep your eyes open for Isshi because, you never know.
Information
Ride the plane from Tokyo to Kagoshima airport (about 2 hours). From Kagoshima airport, ride the Kagoshima airport limousine bus and get off at JR Ibusuki Station (1.5- 2 hours). Transfer to a city bus that heads to Lake Ikeda bus stop or use a taxi from the station(20 min).
Address: Nakahama Ikeda, Ibusuki, Kagoshima 891-0312
Tel: 81-993-22-2111
Address: Nakahama Ikeda, Ibusuki, Kagoshima 891-0312
Tel: 81-993-22-2111
