Lake Ikeda

Lake Ikeda is a lake on the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. It is roughly circular, about 3.5 km in diameter and about 15 km in circumference. There is a submarine volcano at the bottom of the lake, and the basin landform is called the Ikeda Caldera. Lake Ikeda has a Ryugu (Dragon Palace) legend and is also referred to as Kaimon no Oike or Kami no Oike. There is also an urban legend that a giant aquatic creature lives here—an unidentified creature called “Isshi.” A large eel about 2 meters long with a girth of 50 cm is said to inhabit the lake, and some believe it may have been mistaken for the legendary creature. Seasonal flowers are planted around the lake, enhancing the scenery. Jet boat rides are available and are popular with families, and you can also try activities like flyboarding and SUP. There are many sights such as Tsurugi Rock and Meoto Rocks that can only be reached by boat. Dining facilities are also well developed, making it possible to spend a full day enjoying the area. Access: about 20 minutes by car from JR Ibusuki Station.