The mystery of "Lake Ikeda" unidentified giant creature "Issie"

Written by ShalomAA

Translated by A. Osorio

1.24.2020 (Re:17.1.2022)

Lake Ikeda is an approximately circular caldera lake with a diameter of 3.5 km and a circumference of 15 km in the southeastern part of the Satsuma peninsula in Kagoshima prefecture, it is the largest lake in Kyushu. It is 233m deep, and the bottom of the lake has an underwater volcano with a diameter of approximately 800m and a height of approximately 150m. It is also designated as Kirishima Kinkowan National Park. In recent years, a part of Lake Ikeda has become a tourist attraction.

　1. “Issie” from Lake Ikeda

1. Unidentified giant creature “Issie” from Lake Ikeda

Around the year 1961, giant aquatic organisms were rumored to exist in Lake Ikeda, they named it “Issie of Lake Ikeda” after Nessie, an unidentified creature from Loch Ness. On September 3, 1978, ten people living in the city of Ibusuki witnessed a black object swimming at high speed on the surface of the lake. Between the ridges on the back there was a distance of about 5 meters and they floated on the surface of the water. This incident made it a hot topic, became famous, and spread across the country. In the Ikeda Lake you can also find large eels that are natural monuments of the city, they are 2m long and 50cm thick so it is said that this is the true identity of Issie. There are other theories like the giant fish, but Issie’s true identity remains a mystery until now.

2. Take a break and shop for souvenirs at Ikedako Paradise. You can see giant eels for free!

In front of the Ikeda lake, there is a restaurant called “Ikedako Paradise”, from where you can also see the “Kaimondake” and the flower garden. In this same place you will find a large quantity of local products and souvenirs such as the “Satsuma tsuge” (wooden comb) and the “Shochu”. In addition, in the restaurant you can enjoy a variety of delicious local dishes.

鹿児島県指宿市にある池田湖パラダイス内の大ウナギ In the back of the shopping area, you can see the giant eels of more than 2m that were designated as a protected natural species of the city of Ibusuki in 1969.

3. “The Yellow Carpet” the first bloom in Japan! Excellent view of Nanohana flowers

Picture courtesy of ©︎いぶすき観光ネット

On the banks of Lake Ikeda, there is a walk called “Nanohana Road” in this place there are flower gardens around the seafront. From January to February is the rapeseed season (Nanohana), at this time it is as if a “yellow rapeseed mat” will be placed as shown in the photo, and it feels as if you are walking on such a mat overlooking Lake Ikeda . This place has been chosen among the 500 most beautiful walking paths in Japan, announced in 2004.

4. Information

Ikedako Paradise

Address: 5269 Ikeda, Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima-ken

Phone: +81-993-26-2211

Open: March – November　8:30-17:30

　　 December February 8:30-17:00　

5. How to get to Ikeda Lake

・Approximately 1 hour from Kagoshima city.

・About a 30-minute drive from the station JR Ibusuki.

・About 5 minutes by car from the Osako Ibusuki Skyline exit.

※ Free parking available.

※ Free location.