A Lake Reflecting the Beauty of Mount Tateshina
One of the most memorable sights at Megami Lake is the reflection of Mount Tateshina, also known as Onna no Kami-yama, or the “Mountain of the Goddess.” The mountain rises behind the lake, creating a beautiful backdrop that changes dramatically with the time of day.
In the early morning, mist often floats across the water, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Under the clear daytime sky, the lake takes on a bright and refreshing appearance, while at sunset the water reflects the warm colors of the evening sky. Each moment offers a different view of this tranquil highland landscape.
A Peaceful Lakeside Walk
A walking path follows the shoreline for approximately 1.8 kilometers, making it an easy and enjoyable route for a leisurely stroll. Visitors can walk or jog while taking in the fresh mountain air and surrounding forest.
The lake also offers outdoor activities such as boating and canoeing, making it a pleasant destination for families, couples, and anyone looking to enjoy nature at a relaxed pace.
Four Seasons at Megami Lake
Megami Lake offers a different landscape in every season. In spring, Japanese skunk cabbage and Asian skunk cabbage emerge around the wetlands and forest, signaling the arrival of warmer weather. In early summer, bright red-orange Japanese azaleas add color to the surrounding greenery.
Autumn is one of the most spectacular seasons, when the trees around the lake turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Their colors are reflected on the calm water, creating a striking highland scene.
In winter, the lake freezes over, and special activities may take place on the ice depending on conditions. The frozen landscape gives Megami Lake an entirely different character from its green summer and colorful autumn scenery.
From Agricultural Reservoir to Highland Resort
Megami Lake was completed in 1966 as an agricultural reservoir, with a storage capacity of approximately 320,000 cubic meters. The water supplies more than 1,500 hectares of farmland downstream.
The reservoir was created as part of improvements to the Shiozawa Irrigation Canal, one of the three major agricultural irrigation systems known as the Tateshina Three Canals. The canal system dates back to the Edo period and played an important role in the development of agriculture in the region.
The name “Megami Lake” comes from the traditional name for Mount Tateshina. Because the mountain known as the “Mountain of the Goddess” is reflected in the lake, the reservoir came to be called Megami Lake.
The Arrival of the Venus Line
The year after the lake was completed, the Venus Line opened, greatly improving access to the Tateshina highlands. Accommodation, leisure facilities, and other tourist infrastructure were subsequently developed around the lake.
Today, Megami Lake is one of the best-known resort areas in the Tateshina and Shirakaba Highlands, offering a combination of mountain scenery, lakeside recreation, walking trails, and resort facilities.
Forests and the Fresh Air of the Highlands
The area around the lake is surrounded by natural forests of Japanese white birch and Japanese larch. In early summer, the fresh green foliage creates a particularly beautiful setting, while a walk beside the lake offers the refreshing sensation of being immersed in a mountain forest.
The high elevation also gives the area a cool climate, making Megami Lake a pleasant destination during the warmer months. The combination of clear mountain air, forests, and open water makes it an ideal place to slow down and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Fireworks Reflected on the Lake
On August 11, Mountain Day in Japan, the Shirakaba Kogen Fireworks Festival is held in the surrounding highland area. Fireworks illuminating the night sky and reflecting across the lake create a particularly memorable summer scene.
Winter also brings unusual uses of the frozen lake. Depending on conditions and the schedule, the frozen surface may be used for activities such as automobile ice-driving tests and training sessions, giving the lake a distinctive role beyond sightseeing.
Legends of the Kappa of Akanuma
Megami Lake and its surroundings are also associated with local legends. Long before the present reservoir was created, the area was said to contain a pond called Akanuma no Ike. According to local tradition, a kappa, a legendary creature from Japanese folklore associated with rivers and ponds, lived there.
The kappa, known as Kawataro, was said to trouble travelers by pulling them into the water. A warrior named Suwa Yoritoō eventually defeated the creature, which was said to have left the area.
Kagihiki Stone: A Stone of Protection for Travelers
Near the lake stands a large rock known as Kagihiki-ishi. Traditionally, travelers prayed here for a safe journey, and the stone is now designated as a cultural property of Tateshina Town.
Another version of the local legend tells that Kawataro once disguised himself as a child and invited travelers to play a traditional game called “kagihiki” on the stone, intending to lure them into the pond. These stories add a fascinating layer of folklore to the natural landscape.
Getting to Megami Lake
Megami Lake can be reached by both public transportation and car. From JR Hokuriku Shinkansen Saku-Daira Station, a local bus takes approximately one hour. From JR Chuo Main Line Chino Station, the journey by bus takes just under one hour, depending on the route and connections.
By car, the lake is approximately 50 minutes from the Saku Interchange on the Joshin-etsu Expressway, or approximately 40 minutes from the Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.
Parking facilities near the lake can accommodate approximately 250 regular vehicles and 80 large buses, making the area accessible for both individual travelers and tour groups.
A Highland Escape Where Nature, History, and Recreation Meet
Megami Lake is much more than an attractive mountain lake. Its origins as an agricultural reservoir reveal the long history of farming in the Tateshina region, while its legends preserve stories of kappa, warriors, and travelers from an earlier age.
Today, visitors can enjoy peaceful lakeside walks, boating, seasonal scenery, mountain air, and spectacular views of Mount Tateshina. From misty spring mornings and fresh summer greenery to brilliant autumn foliage and frozen winter landscapes, the lake offers a different experience in every season.
For travelers exploring the Tateshina and Shirakaba Highlands, Megami Lake is an inviting place to step away from everyday life and experience the quiet beauty of Japan’s mountain landscape.