Lake Ikeda Kagoshima Kyushu's Largest Lake

Lake Ikeda, Kagoshima, Kyushu's Largest Lake 池田湖

Lake Ikeda (Ikeda-ko), located 40 km south of Kagoshima city, and about 10 km east of Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture, is Kyushu's largest lake.

Lake Ikeda in Kagoshima is the largest lake in Kyushu

Dimensions

Ikeda-ko has a perimeter of 15 km and reaches a maximum depth of 233 meters. From December through February, the lake is surrounded by fields of flowering rape plants (nanohana), which makes for a lovely sight. A caldera lake, Lake Ikeda is known for the clarity and cleanliness of its water, though its quality has been in decline since the 1960's, with the lake water down from a transparency of nearly 27 meters to 5 meters.

Cherry blossom over the water

Home to Eels

Lake Ikeda is also home to Japan's largest eels which can grow to an amazing 1.8m or 2m in length. Maybe it is these large creatures that have given birth to the Issie story - a monster akin to Nessie in Scotland - said to inhabit the deep waters. To the east, indeed, is a smaller lake called Lake Unagi (Eel Lake). The only road close to the lake is on the west side from where there are great views over the water from viewing spots planted with cherry trees.

Cherry trees at one of the viewing spots dotted around the lake

Some recommended places to stay in Ibusuki include the Ryokan Hakusuikan, Ryokan Kawakyu, the Ibusuki Seaside Hotel, Ibusuki Kokoronoyado, and Ibusuki Coral Beach Hotel. South of Ibusuki Station is Hotel Shusui-en and the budget Yado Matsukaze and Tamaya Youth Hostel. Budget travelers may also enjoy the Yunosato Youth Hostel.