Lake Kitagata

A long, narrow lake formed in a dissected valley in the Kaetsu Plateau in Awara City in northern Fukui Prefecture. It is about 7 kilometers long, has an area of ​​about 2.0 square kilometers, and a maximum depth of 2.7 meters. It is connected to the sea by a natural waterway, the Daishoji River. The lake is a eutrophic lake with many freshwater fish such as carp, crucian carp, smelt, and eels, and is popular with anglers throughout the year. It was once used for water transportation between Mikuni and Daishoji, and also transported visitors to Yoshizaki Gobo (described below), but water transportation has now ceased. Since the 1960s, the lake water has been pumped up for irrigation, and plays an important role in rice, melon, tobacco, and vegetable cultivation. On the north bank is the temple town of Yoshizaki, where the Yoshizaki Gobo temple was founded by Rennyo in 1471 (Bunmei 3), and many people visit on the occasion of Rennyo's memorial service. On the east bank is the city-run Kitagata Lakeside Iris Garden.

[Kinoshita Shozo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

福井県北部のあわら市にある、加越(かえつ)台地中の開析谷に形成された細長い湖。長さ約7キロメートル、面積約2.0平方キロメートル、最大深度2.7メートル。自然の水路で大聖寺(だいしょうじ)川を通じて海に結ばれている。湖は富栄養湖でコイ、フナ、ワカサギ、ウナギなどの淡水魚が多く、四季を通じて釣り客も多い。かつては三国(みくに)―大聖寺間の水運に利用され、また後述する吉崎御坊(よしざきごぼう)参りの客を運んだりしたが、いまは水運はとだえている。湖水は昭和40年代以降、畑地灌漑(かんがい)用水として揚水され、米作、メロン、タバコ、野菜作りに大きな役割を果たしている。北岸には1471年（文明3）蓮如(れんにょ)の開いた吉崎御坊のある門前町の吉崎があり、蓮如忌には訪ねる人も多い。東岸には市営の北潟湖畔花菖蒲(しょうぶ)園もある。

［木下昭三］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例