Goshiki-numa Lake

Goshiki-numa, meaning "Five Colored Ponds," is a cluster of volcanic lakes located on the northern slope of Mount Bandai in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The ponds were formed in 1888 following the catastrophic eruption of Mount Bandai, which killed approximately 477 people and dramatically reshaped the landscape. The volcanic activity created dozens of lakes and ponds across the Urabandai plateau, with Goshiki-numa representing some of the most visually striking results of this geological transformation.

The lakes derive their name from the remarkable color variations displayed across different ponds, ranging from cobalt blue and emerald green to reddish-brown and turquoise. These colors result from varying mineral content, water depth, and volcanic sediments on each pond's bottom. The mineral composition, particularly aluminum and iron compounds dissolved from volcanic rocks, creates the distinctive hues that change with seasons, weather conditions, and viewing angles. The main ponds include Bishamon-numa, Aka-numa, Midoro-numa, Bentenguma, and Ruri-numa, though the area contains many smaller water bodies.

Visitors can explore the ponds via the Goshiki-numa Nature Trail, a well-maintained walking path approximately 3.6 kilometers long that takes roughly 70 to 90 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace. The trail is relatively flat and accessible for most fitness levels, winding through mixed forests of beech and birch trees while offering numerous viewpoints overlooking the various ponds. Autumn is particularly popular when the surrounding foliage creates vivid contrasts against the colored waters, typically peaking from mid to late October. The area also attracts photographers year-round, with early morning light providing optimal conditions for capturing the water's chromatic effects.

Access to Goshiki-numa is easiest from Urabandai Kogen Station or Goshiki-numa Iriguchi bus stop, both served by Bandai Toho buses from JR Inawashiro Station and JR Kitakata Station. During peak seasons, direct buses also run from Koriyama and Aizuwakamatsu. The trail has two main entry points at either end, allowing visitors to walk one direction and return by bus. Parking is available at both trailheads for those traveling by car. There is no admission fee to access the nature trail or view the ponds, making it an economical destination within the Bandai-Asahi National Park.