6 Lakes in Ibaraki worth your time

A scenic agricultural reservoir and park in Ibaraki featuring seasonal flowers and a unique Y-shaped pedestrian bridge.

What it is

• An agricultural reservoir in Shimotsuma City irrigating 1800 hectares of rice paddies.
• A designated top 100 reservoir and one of the 100 Landscapes of Ibaraki.
• A 55-hectare body of water surrounded by the Sanuma Wide Area Park.
• A recreational site featuring a tourist exchange center on the south shore.

What to see

• The Sanuma Ohashi, a unique Y-shaped bridge connecting the east and west shores.
• Approximately 350 cherry trees representing 50 different varieties.
• A large garden containing about 29,000 Japanese irises.
• A six-kilometer walking path around the circumference of the lake.

When to go

• Visit in spring to see the cherry blossoms in bloom.
• Go during June to see the Japanese irises at their peak.

Getting there

• Take the Kanto Railway Joso Line to Shimotsuma Station.
• The site is accessible by car via National Route 125.

Read more about Sanuma Lake

A shallow lake in Ibaraki known as the birthplace of unadon, featuring migratory swans and a scenic lakeside road.

What it is

• A shallow lake in Ryugasaki City belonging to the Kokai River tributary system
• The historical birthplace of the popular Japanese eel dish known as unadon
• A scenic area that served as a filming location for the film series Otoko wa Tsurai yo
• The former home of painter Ogawa Usen who lived on the northern shore

What to see

• A large body of water with a circumference of approximately twenty-five kilometers
• The Unagi Kaido road along the eastern shore lined with eel restaurants
• Migratory swans that gather on the water during the colder months
• Views of the shoreline from the JR Joban Line and Route 6

When to go

• Winter is the best time to see the group of forty migrating swans

Getting there

• The lake is located near Ryugasaki-shi Station and Sanuki Station on the JR Joban Line

Read more about Lake Ushiku

A Ramsar-protected brackish lake in Ibaraki known for its diverse birdlife, rare damselflies, and recreational outdoor activities.

What it is

• A large brackish lake spanning Ibaraki Town, Hokota City, and Oarai Town.
• A registered Ramsar Convention wetland since 2015 for its ecological importance.
• A major production site for Yamato shijimi clams and a natural retarding basin.
• A habitat for over 100 fish species and the endangered Hinuma damselfly.

What to see

• Hinuma Nature Park located on the northern shore of the lake.
• White-tailed eagles that use the area as a wintering ground.
• Local fishermen harvesting Yamato shijimi clams from the water.
• Active areas for windsurfing, camping, and recreational fishing.

When to go

• Winter months to observe visiting white-tailed eagles.
• Summer for camping and windsurfing on the lake surface.

Read more about Hinuma

A gourd-shaped freshwater lake in Mito serving as a scenic wetland habitat and a historic moat for Mito Castle.

What it is

• A freshwater dammed lake formed by sediment from the old Sakura River.
• A natural moat once used by the Mito Domain to fortify Mito Castle.
• An important wetland habitat designated by the Ministry of the Environment.
• A central feature of the Kairakuen Park landscape in Ibaraki Prefecture.

What to see

• A three-kilometer walking path surrounding the gourd-shaped perimeter.
• Three large fountains and one artificial floating island within the water.
• Wintering waterfowl including various species of ducks and swans.
• Views of the shallow lake which maintains an average depth of one meter.

When to go

• Winter months to observe the migratory birds and resident swans.

Official site

www.city.mito.lg.jp

Read more about Lake Senba

A six square kilometer freshwater lake in Ibaraki Prefecture offering traditional sightseeing boat trips within a quasi-national park.

What it is

• A freshwater lake in southeastern Ibaraki Prefecture covering six square kilometers.
• Part of the Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park and the Kasumigaura water system.
• Historically known as Nagareumi and officially classified as a Class A river.
• Separated from the neighboring Uchinasakaura by a levee built in 1893.

What to see

• Traditional sightseeing sail boats operating on the open water.
• The Hitachi River Watergate which maintains the lake's freshwater status.
• Local wildlife including wakasagi, icefish, carp, and eels.
• Expansive views of the water reaching depths of nine meters.

When to go

• Summer and autumn to ride the seasonal sightseeing sail boats.

Read more about Lake Sotonasakaura

Japan's second largest lake offers traditional sail fishing boats and a designated national cycle route through a scenic quasi-national park.

What it is

• The second largest lake in Japan, located in southeastern Ibaraki Prefecture.
• A designated Quasi-National Park consisting of five main water bodies including Nishiura and Kitaura.
• A freshwater lake since 1963 that serves as a source for agriculture and industry.
• A major fishery producing smelt, icefish, carp, and freshwater prawns.

What to see

• Traditional sail fishing boats operating on the open water.
• Sightseeing boats that take visitors across the 220 square kilometer surface.
• A designated National Cycle Route that follows the perimeter of the lake.
• Fifty-six different rivers flowing into the lake system.

Read more about Lake Kasumigaura