Lake Hinuma

A swamp located in the central-eastern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, straddling one city and two towns: Hokota City, Ibaraki Town in Higashiibaraki County, and Oarai Town. It is also called Hiroura. It has an area of ​​9.35 square kilometers, a circumference of 22 kilometers, and a maximum depth of 6.5 meters. The Hinuma River, which flows into the Naka River, was dammed near its outlet by a natural sandbar, causing the downstream area to become a lake. It is a eutrophic lake, and seawater flows in at high tide, making it home to both saltwater and freshwater fish. It is known for the herring that swim upstream, and the annual catch is about 3,000 tons, including mullet, seigo, goby, carp, and mussels. It is also popular with anglers, and the sandbar stretches out in the shape of Amanohashidate, earning it the nickname Akizuki of Hiroura. It is one of the eight scenic spots of Mito, and, together with the sandbar of Oyasawa, is a prefecture-designated scenic spot. It is also a tourist resort with a recreational village and a senior citizens' health center. Kashima Rinkai Railway and Ibaraki Kotsu buses run from Mito Station.

[Akitoshi Sakurai]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

茨城県中東部、鉾田市(ほこたし)、東茨城郡茨城町、大洗町(おおあらいまち)の1市2町にまたがる沼。広浦(ひろうら)ともいう。面積9.35平方キロメートル、周囲22キロメートル、最大水深6.5メートル。那珂(なか)川に注ぐ涸沼川が、出口付近を自然堤防の砂州でせき止められ、下流部が湖沼化した。富栄養湖で、満潮時には海水が流入し、海水魚と淡水魚がすむ。ニシンの遡上(そじょう)で知られ、ボラ、セイゴ、ハゼ、コイ、シジミなど年平均約3000トンの漁獲量がある。釣り客も多く、天橋立(あまのはしだて)状の砂州が延びて広浦の秋月(あきのつき)とよばれ、水戸八景の一つに数えられ、親沢(おやさわ)の砂州とともに県指定名勝になっている。また、いこいの村や老人保健センターがある休養観光地帯でもある。水戸駅より鹿島(かしま)臨海鉄道、茨城交通バスが通じる。

［櫻井明俊］

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