Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1920 — LAKE OF MANY ATTRACTIONS [ARTICLE]

LAKE OF MANY ATTRACTIONS

Haruna's Charm Draws Visitors From the.-Most Distant Comers of the Earth. Lake Haruna is one of the most .popular lakes in Japan. It lies in the bowl of a volcano crater long ago ex-, tinct. An invisible watches' over it and there is a temple to the god of fire and the goddess of earth close by. Thus an atmosj here of romance and individuality is created. Not all lakes can boast a crater, a ’ dragon In attendance and a temple so old and so charmingly quaint, set In a grove of ancient trees, behind a gate and bridge of gorgeous red lacquer. Lake Haruna has another charm, displayed only in winter when It is freezing. Then ft is known as the musical lake. As the —water slowly changes into a bed of ice It crackles and hums In tones as musical as the playing qf a fountain. When the led is thick Japanese from the neighborhood and strangers visiting the country come to skate on Lake Haruna, and when the Ice is melted the same Jap* and other strangers come tp fish ’in its depths and drink tea at the tea house on the shore. Lake Haruna is much visited. Those who care nothing for its beauty or the joys of fishing or skating come to pay homage to the goddess of earth and to beg her blessing on their unworthy lands.