🗺️ Xiapu霞ヶ浦

Kasumigaura is a lake located in the southeastern part of Ibaraki Prefecture; it is the second largest lake in Japan, second only to Lake Biwa. The lake covers an area of 220 square kilometers, accounting for 35% of Ibaraki Prefecture. It is referred to as "ura" rather than "ko" because Kasumigaura was originally an estuary of the sea, which became a lake due to sediment that separated it from the ocean. Kasumigaura, fed by multiple rivers, is home to various fish species such as smelt, carp, and largemouth bass, and many water birds visit during the winter. There are also various water activities available, including fishing, sailing, and motorboating. Since ancient times, Kasumigaura has been a scenic spot, with the sight of white sails navigating across the lake being one of its beautiful views. These sailboats were fishing boats invented during the Meiji period, used for catching silver smelt and smelt with a method called "sail-drawn net fishing," but they were replaced by trawlers in 1967. Today, these boats have been repurposed for tourism, becoming a seasonal feature from summer to autumn, and can be viewed from sightseeing boats. Additionally, the "Tsukuba Kasumigaura Cycling Road," located along the lakeshore, circles the Tsukuba mountain area and Kasumigaura, with a total length of about 180 kilometers. This cycling path, which meets certain standards for environmental safety and local requirements, was selected as a "National Designated Cycling Course" in 2019, and seven routes have been designed based on distance and the cycling path.

Located in Tsuchiura City by the lakeside, "Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park" is a natural park marked by a large Dutch windmill. It also features round-trip bathing facilities for the day and a nature center that showcases lake wildlife. From late July to early December, you can watch sailboats from accompanying boats that sail alongside. *For information on sailing times, ticket prices, boarding locations, etc., please check the official website of the tourism association.* Along the "Tsukuba Kasumigaura Cycling Road," there are 11 bicycle rental locations where you can rent and return bikes at any rental point. *For rental prices, types of bicycles, rental locations, etc., please refer to the information on the official website.*