Goshikinuma Ponds

Trail description

The Goshikinuma ponds at the foot of Mount Bandai were formed in 1888, when a steam explosion collapsed the mountain's northern summit and the rock avalanche that followed blocked the river; the eruption killed about 500 people. This walk follows the Goshikinuma Nature Trail from the Goshikinuma-iriguchi bus stop by the Urabandai Visitor Center, mostly through forest, past Bishamon-numa, the largest pond, and smaller ones such as Akanuma, Benten-numa and Aonuma. Volcanic substances in the water, along with the weather, season and angle of view, give them colours such as emerald green, turquoise and cobalt blue. The mostly flat route is about 3.6 km one way with some 85 m of climbing, where rocks can be slippery and the path muddy in the rain, and ends at the trail's western end near Yanaginuma, by the Urabandai Kogen-eki bus stop.

Explore more