There are two small lakes in Izu which I have never been to, but which have interested me since I got a hiking map of the area and saw that there are walks around both of those bodies of water. So this weekend, we decided to go to those lakes and walk around them.
We drove there, because the lakes are separated by a few kilometers and we were feeling lazy.
The first lake we went to was Matsukawa. Its an artificial lake with a dam at one end and a meandering river at the other, but with lots of other smaller streams going into it.
The distance around the lake via the walking course is just shy of 5km, which was why there were so many joggers there when we went.
Its a very nice lake, with a suspension bridge, many walks, not just the jogging course, a museum (closed now because of the virus), a nice view from on top of the dam, 3 car parks, a eucalyptus grove, nice parks by the water, cherry trees and plum trees which must be nice in the spring and a lovely relaxed and cool feeling to the place. I really recommend it for a picnic, or jogging, or a leisurely walk, which is what we did.
Next, after going into Ito town nearby for a quick lunch in Cocos, we went to the next lake, lake Ippeki.
This lakes water is much nicer to look across than the previous lake, but its pretty smelly in places, as it was formed from an old volcano caldera and so does not have much water coming in to it to replenish it. However, there are a lot of fish in the main lake.
The other smaller lake is covered with reeds and surrounded by second homes and is pretty smelly. The main lake has some nicer things to see. The café and rental boats at the car park, the shrine and tori gates, the wildlife and so on. The path round the lake tends to go up and down a lot, so you find yourself sweating more, and there are quite a few hungry mosquitoes in places too, so watch out. This lake has a bus stop near it, so its possible to come by public transport, but a car is a lot more convenient. All in all, it was a very nice peaceful and scenic day. Another beautiful spot in Izu, which is absolutely resplendent with them!
Ready to Blog & Earn?
With TravelFeed, easily start your own travel blog and earn as you go. It's the smart platform for travelers who want to profit from their passion. Create a free account
Don't Forget: Get Travel Health Insurance!
To make your trip a worry-free experience, TravelFeed recommends SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. It provides comprehensive health coverage while you travel, so you can focus on exploring, not the unexpected. Get a quote here
Travel Resources for your trip to Japan
Recommended by TravelFeed
Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to Japan.
Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in Japan on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.
Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.
Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.
Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!
Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.
Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to Japan. Chat now.
Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.