Oike Spring Pond

Deep in old-growth forest on the northern slopes of Mt. Kurodake in the Kuju range, Oike Spring wells up from volcanic soil at 850 meters elevation. More than 20,000 tons of water emerge each day, staying at a steady 12 degrees Celsius year-round. The spring's mineral richness and exceptional purity earned it a place on the Ministry of the Environment's Selected 100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters list. Local communities have drawn on it for drinking and farming for generations. The Yufu Tourist Association accepts donations for ongoing conservation. The surrounding forest of broad-leaved deciduous trees is worth the walk in its own right.