Fukushima Prefecture Announces “Spray Ice” on Lake Inawashiro, Work of Art Created by Nature in Harsh Winter Season; Nationally Rare Natural Phenomenon Reaching Peak
– Lake Inawashiro Registered as Ramsar Convention Site in July 2025 –
Fukushima Prefecture Department of Conservation announced that Lake Inawashiro, located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Koriyama City, and Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture, is currently experiencing its peak season for “shibuki-gori” (spray ice) — a seasonal feature in the harsh winter season.
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This phenomenon occurs when strong winter winds blow the lake water, freezing it onto trees along the shore, making it an extremely rare phenomenon in Japan.
This phenomenon typically occurs only during the harsh winter months of January and February. Visitors can enjoy the mystical world that changes with the time of day, from daytime to dusk. Following the important milestone of being registered as a Ramsar Convention site last year, efforts are ongoing to preserve Lake Inawashiro’s beauty and its role as a paradise for flora and fauna for future generations.
Lake Inawashiro, a Ramsar site
Lake Inawashiro, Japan’s fourth-largest lake, is known for its rich aquatic ecosystem and diverse habitats for wild birds and aquatic plants. A total of 197 animal species, including 111 bird species, live in and around Lake Inawashiro. At least 100 species of aquatic plants grow there, and it’s also home to one of Japan’s largest habitats for flowering floating hearts. Moreover, 705 species of terrestrial plants have been identified along the lake’s shoreline, making it an important site for conserving biodiversity in the region.
In July 2025, the lake was registered as a Ramsar site under an international treaty aimed at the conservation of wetlands, recognized for its rich natural environment and the value of its ecosystem. Lake Inawashiro has long played an important role in supporting the livelihoods of local people, providing water for water supply, agriculture, and power generation, as well as tourism. Efforts are underway to protect this precious ecosystem while promoting wise use, a principle of the Ramsar Convention.
Recommended Information for the Peak-viewing “Spray Ice”
Best time to see: Until around February (It may not be visible depending on weather conditions)
Viewing spots: Around Tenjinhama in Inawashiro Town, around Hamajihama in Konanmachi, Koriyama City
Access: Approximately 15-20 minutes by bus or car from JR Inawashiro Station
With many accommodations and tourist attractions in the area, visitors can enjoy nature throughout the day.
Note: Visitors are advised to wear warm clothing as they must walk from the parking lots, and also to fit snow tires and chains to their cars.
Overview of Ramsar Convention Wetland Registration
Registered name: Lake Inawashiro
Area: 10,960 hectares
Conservation status: Bandai-Asahi National Park
Registration status: 54th site in Japan, second in Fukushima Prefecture after Oze
For more details:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202512150975-O1-1EhGdJBD.pdf
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202512150975-O2-063sS57A.pdf