Unagi Pond, Volcanic crater lake in Yamagawa Narikawa, Japan
Unagi Pond is a volcanic crater lake in Yamagawa Narikawa, in the south of Kyushu, Japan. The water sits deep inside a bowl-shaped depression of volcanic origin, enclosed by wooded slopes where steam rises from vents in the ground.
The lake formed after a volcanic explosion that left behind a crater depression, which slowly filled with water over time. The volcanic system beneath it remains active and feeds the hot springs of the nearby Unagi Onsen area.
The name of the lake comes from a local legend about a giant eel that once lived in the water and frightened the villagers. Eel farming stopped long ago, but the story is still alive in local signs and conversations around the shore.
The lake is best explored on foot, with a path running along the shore that offers views of the crater rim and the steaming vents. The sulfur fumes near the vents can be strong, so those sensitive to sharp smells may want to stay a little back.
Although small, the lake sits just a short walk from Lake Ikeda, the largest lake in the region, which makes the contrast between the two very easy to notice. The still, steam-covered water of Unagi Pond feels like a different world compared to the open views of its neighbor.
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