Lake Haruna

Lake Haruna sits at 1,100 meters above sea level in the caldera of a long-dormant volcano in Gunma Prefecture, surrounded by forests and the distinctive silhouette of Mount Haruna. The lake offers year-round activities, from rowboating and fishing for wakasagi smelt in summer to ice fishing through frozen surface holes in winter, when the lake transforms into a crystalline wonderland. Autumn brings some of the most vivid foliage in the Kanto region, with maple and birch trees creating a fiery ring around the water. The area gained pop culture fame as a setting inspiration for the Initial D manga series, and nearby Haruna Shrine adds a spiritual dimension to any visit.