A Highland Lake Created by Nature
The Matsubara Lake group is believed to have been formed by the powerful Jōgan Earthquake of 887. A massive landslide from Mount Tengu is thought to have blocked the Ōtsukigawa River, creating a natural dam and forming the lakes.
This geological event created the three principal lakes—Lake Inako, Lake Chōko, and Lake Ōtsukiko. Several smaller ponds, including Usuratori Pond, Uzume Pond, and Kakinoki Pond, are also scattered throughout the surrounding area. Together, these bodies of water are known as the Matsubara Lake Group.
Lake Inako takes its name from its shape, which is said to resemble a wild boar. The lake is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of approximately 7.7 meters. During particularly cold winters, the entire lake can freeze over.
Under suitable conditions, visitors may even see Omiwatari, a natural phenomenon in which cracks form across the surface of a frozen lake. In Japanese tradition, such ice formations have sometimes been associated with the passage of a deity across the frozen water.
Enjoy Lake Matsubara Throughout the Four Seasons
Spring and Summer: Fresh Greenery and Outdoor Activities
In spring, fresh green leaves gradually surround the lakeside, creating an inviting setting for walking and picnicking. The highland climate also makes the area a pleasant summer retreat, with cool breezes flowing across the water.
Visitors can rent boats and enjoy a leisurely outing on the lake. Lake Matsubara is also known as a popular destination for herabuna fishing, a traditional form of freshwater fishing involving Japanese crucian carp.
Autumn: Brilliant Colors Reflected on the Water
From late October to early November, the forests around Lake Matsubara transform into a spectacular display of autumn colors. Red and yellow foliage is reflected on the surface of the lake, creating beautiful views that attract photographers and nature lovers.
The scenery is especially impressive when the colorful forest is framed by the rugged silhouettes of Mount Tengu and Mount Inago. The combination of mountains, autumn foliage, and calm water is one of the signature landscapes of Koumi Town.
Winter: A Quiet World of Ice and Snow
Winter brings a completely different atmosphere. The lake can become covered in ice, transforming the highland landscape into a quiet world of snow and frozen water.
Lake Matsubara was once used as a natural skating rink, attracting speed skaters from around Japan for training. Today, skating on the natural lake is no longer permitted for safety reasons, and visitors can instead enjoy skating at the nearby Matsubara Lake Highland Skating Center.
Winter is also a popular season for smelt fishing. Small fishing tents appearing across the frozen lake are a characteristic winter sight in the region.
Culture and History Along the Lakeshore
“Kitakaze Kozō no Kantarō” Monument
Lake Matsubara is closely associated with the beloved Japanese children’s song “Kitakaze Kozō no Kantarō”, roughly translated as “Little Boy Kantarō, the North Wind.” The songwriter Takao Ide, who also wrote under the name Keisuke Yamakawa, spent part of his childhood in the area.
A monument commemorating the song stands beside the lake. For Japanese visitors, it provides a nostalgic connection to a familiar piece of childhood music, while international travelers can discover another cultural story connected with the landscape.
Matsubara Suwakata Shrine and the “Naked Bell”
Near the lakeshore stands Matsubara Suwakata Shrine, which preserves an important historical bell known as the “Naked Bell”. The bell is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
According to local tradition, the bell was brought from Ochiai Shin-Zenkoji Temple by the warlord Takeda Shingen during his campaigns in Shinano. Its history adds a fascinating connection between the peaceful lakeshore and the turbulent history of Japan’s Warring States period.
The lakeside also features Benten Shrine, making a walk around the area an opportunity to experience both nature and local religious heritage.
Activities at Lake Matsubara
Fishing and Boating
Lake Matsubara offers different recreational experiences depending on the season. In warmer months, visitors can enjoy herabuna fishing, while winter brings opportunities for smelt fishing.
Rental boats are available around the lakeshore, allowing visitors to quietly explore the water and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery from a different perspective.
Lakeside Walking and Nature Observation
Walking paths around the lake make it possible to enjoy the scenery at an easy pace. The landscape changes dramatically throughout the year, from spring greenery and summer freshness to brilliant autumn foliage and winter ice.
A lakeside walk is an especially relaxing way to experience the highland environment, with the mountains reflected in the water and forests surrounding the shore.
Nearby Attractions
Koumi Kogen Museum of Art
Designed by internationally renowned architect Tadao Ando, Koumi Kogen Museum of Art combines contemporary art with modern architecture and the natural landscape of the Yatsugatake foothills.
Yahho-no-Yu Hot Spring
The nearby Yahho-no-Yu hot spring is an ideal place to relax after sightseeing and outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy a traditional Japanese hot spring experience while taking in the highland atmosphere.
Matsubara Lake Highland Skating Center
During winter, the Matsubara Lake Highland Skating Center provides a safe place to enjoy ice skating in the highland environment, continuing the area’s long association with skating.
The Matsubara Lake Resort Area
The lakeside surroundings include a resort and vacation-home area where visitors can enjoy the natural environment throughout the year. The combination of mountain scenery, forests and lakes gives the area a peaceful resort atmosphere.
Getting to Lake Matsubara
By Public Transportation
From Koumi Station on the JR Koumi Line, also known as the Yatsugatake Kogen Line, visitors can take a Koumi Town community bus to the Lake Matsubara area. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.
Bus services are limited, so checking the latest timetable before traveling is recommended.
By Car
Lake Matsubara can be reached by car from the Chuo Expressway or Joshin-etsu Expressway. Parking facilities are available near the lakeshore, making the area convenient for visitors traveling by car.
A Peaceful Lake Where Nature and Culture Meet
Lake Matsubara is more than a beautiful mountain lake. Its landscape was shaped by a powerful natural event, while its shores preserve local religious heritage and connections to Japanese music and culture.
Every season offers a different experience: fresh greenery in spring, cool mountain air in summer, brilliant foliage in autumn, and ice and snow in winter. Visitors can walk beside the lake, go boating or fishing, explore nearby cultural sites, and relax at a hot spring.
With the Yatsugatake Mountains rising in the distance and the changing seasons reflected on the water, Lake Matsubara offers travelers a peaceful opportunity to experience the natural beauty and cultural character of the Koumi highlands.