15 Lakes in Nagano worth your time

A high-altitude reservoir in Nagano offering scenic views, a summer fireworks festival, and a unique winter driving circuit on ice.

What it is

• An artificial warm water reservoir completed in 1966 for local farmland irrigation
• Part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park at 1,540 meters elevation
• Named after Mount Megami, which is an alias for the nearby Mount Tateshina
• A 1.5 kilometer circumference lake that supplies the historic Shiozawa Weir irrigation system

What to see

• The Kagibiki-ishi megalith, which is designated as a town cultural property
• Views of the surrounding mountains from the 1.5 kilometer shoreline path
• The Shiozawa Weir, selected as one of the top 100 canals in Japan
• A frozen lake surface used as a winter driving circuit during the coldest months

When to go

• August 11 to see the Shirakaba Kogen Fireworks Display over the water
• Winter months to witness or participate in driving activities on the frozen surface

Getting there

• Accessible by bus departing from Sakudaira Station
• Accessible by bus departing from Chino Station

Read more about Lake Megami

Nagano's largest lake offers a historic tectonic landscape famous for winter ice ridges, summer fireworks, and ancient underwater ruins.

What it is

• The largest tectonic lake in Nagano Prefecture, formed by ancient fault movements.
• A historic site where the Sone Ruins lie preserved on the lake bed.
• The legendary final resting place of the famous warlord Shingen Takeda.
• The location of Japan's first official figure skating competition held in 1922.

What to see

• The Tenryu River, which serves as the only natural outlet for the lake waters.
• Hatsushima, an artificial island constructed specifically for launching large-scale fireworks displays.
• Wakasagi smelt fish, a species successfully introduced to these waters in 1915.
• A vast surface area spanning twelve point eight one square kilometers across three municipalities.

When to go

• August 15th to witness the massive Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival.
• Winter months to see Omiwatari ice ridges form across the frozen surface.

Read more about Lake Suwa

A collection of three natural lakes in Nagano offering ice fishing, historic shrines, and scenic views of the surrounding highlands.

What it is

• A group of three lakes consisting of Lake Ina, Lake Cho, and Lake Otsuki.
• Formed naturally following the Ninwa earthquake in the year 887.
• The water currently powers two hydroelectric stations operated by Chubu Electric Power.
• The landscape served as the inspiration for the song Kitakaze Kozo no Kantaro.

What to see

• Lake Ina, which is the largest of the three water bodies.
• A lakeside shrine housing a bell designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• The Koumi Machi Kogen Museum situated on a nearby hill.
• Waters reaching a maximum depth of 7.7 meters surrounded by mountain scenery.

When to go

• Winter months when the lake freezes over for ice fishing.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Koumi Station for a twenty minute journey to the lake.

Read more about Lake Matsubara

A scenic mountain pond formed by a 1915 volcanic eruption, featuring standing dead trees and views of the Azusa River.

What it is

• A pond formed in 1915 after mudflows from Mount Yakedake dammed the Azusa River.
• A Special National Scenic Spot and Natural Monument located at 1,500 meters elevation.
• A reservoir currently used by Tokyo Electric Power for hydroelectric power generation.
• A habitat for brook trout and brown trout in the Kamikochi area.

What to see

• Dead trees standing within the pond waters create a distinct landscape.
• Views of the surrounding mountains and the dammed Azusa River.
• Sediment dredging operations that take place during the winter months.

Getting there

• Take a 60-minute bus ride from Shin-shimashima Station to reach the area.
• The pond is located immediately near the Taisho-ike bus stop.
• A walking trail leads from the pond to Kappa Bridge in approximately one hour.

Read more about Taishō-ike

A historic man-made reservoir in Matsumoto offering scenic walking trails, fishing, and a professional cycling velodrome.

What it is

• A man-made irrigation reservoir in Matsumoto City originally named Ashinotai Pond
• Construction began during the late Azuchi-Momoyama period around 1597
• The lake serves as the primary source of the Metoba River
• Renamed Lake Misuzu in 1953 following a major renovation project

What to see

• Walking trails circling the water in two and four kilometer loops
• The Misuzuko Velodrome located on the former site of a skating center
• Crucian carp, carp, pond smelt, and black bass within the lake
• The surrounding landscape located 3.5 kilometers from the Asama Onsen district

When to go

• Visit in June to see the Tour de Utsukushigahara bicycle race

Getting there

• Accessible by bus departing from the Matsumoto Bus Terminal

Read more about Lake Misuzu

Nagano's second largest natural lake offers ancient fossil history, a shrine island, and unique winter fishing in a national park.

What it is

• A natural lake in Nagano Prefecture sitting 654 meters above sea level
• Part of the Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park covering 4.56 square kilometers
• Site of significant Naumann elephant fossil and Paleolithic artifact discoveries
• Location of Japan's first pumped-storage hydroelectric plant completed in 1934

What to see

• Biwa Island located within the lake waters
• Uga Shrine situated on the central island
• The Kamiyama International Village managed by the local association
• Dome boats used for specialized winter fishing activities

When to go

• Winter months for smelt fishing from heated dome boats

Getting there

• Take a bus from Kurohime Station directly to the lake

Read more about Lake Nojiri

A high-altitude volcanic lake in the Northern Alps known for its clear waters, alpine flora, and rare black salamanders.

What it is

• A volcanic freshwater lake located at an elevation of 2,379 meters in Otari Village.
• The second largest lake found within the Northern Alps mountain range.
• Formed by volcanic eruptions during the Quaternary period and fed by snowmelt and rainwater.
• A high-altitude habitat for black salamanders, though no fish live in the water.

What to see

• Alpine plants such as Dicentra peregrina growing around the lake's edge.
• The Hakuba Oike Mountain Hut which provides facilities for hikers.
• Clear waters surrounded by the rocky landscape of the Northern Alps.
• Hiking trails connecting the site to Tsugaike and Renge Onsen.

When to go

• Visit between July and October when the mountain hut is in operation.

Read more about Hakuba Ōike

A deep fault lake in Nagano offering hot springs, unique endemic species, and locations featured in popular anime and film.

What it is

• One of the Nishina Three Lakes located in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture
• A fault lake formed along the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line reaching twenty-nine meters deep
• Setting for the anime series Please Teacher and the movie The Inugami Family
• Home to the endemic Kizaki trout and a protected species of snail

What to see

• The Kizakiko Onsen hot spring resort located near the water
• The Nougu and Inaozawa rivers flowing into the lake
• Natural scenery surrounding the deep waters of the tectonic fault

When to go

• August for the annual fireworks display held at the lake

Getting there

• Accessible via the nearby Shinano-Kizaki, Inao, and Uminokuchi train stations

Read more about Lake Kizaki

A high-altitude artificial reservoir in Nagano offering year-round outdoor recreation, from boating and kayaking to nearby skiing and amusement parks.

What it is

• An artificial reservoir located within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park.
• Completed in 1946 to provide irrigation water for five hundred hectares of rice fields.
• A high-altitude body of water sitting at an elevation of 1,416 meters.
• A recreation hub officially named Lake Shirakaba in 1953 with a four kilometer circumference.

What to see

• Scenic views from the shore along National Route 152 and the Venus Line.
• Active recreational areas featuring hotels, ski resorts, and a local amusement park.
• Water activities including recreational boating, canoeing, and kayaking on the lake.
• A sewage treatment center built in 1981 to maintain the local water quality.

Official site

www.shirakabako.com

Read more about Lake Shirakaba

A man-made reservoir in Saku City featuring literary monuments, a mallet golf course, and a distinctive radio broadcasting antenna.

What it is

• A man-made reservoir constructed between 1954 and 1956 to warm irrigation water.
• A small lake with a circumference of 480 meters and a depth of 3.4 meters.
• A public park named by the writer Haruo Sato.
• A recreational site featuring a mallet golf course and a plaza.

What to see

• Literary monuments dedicated to several Japanese authors located within the park.
• An SBC radio broadcasting antenna standing 91 meters high by the water.
• The southeastern shore where the Hokuriku Shinkansen line passes underground nearby.

Getting there

• A two-minute taxi ride from Sakudaira Station.
• Located near the Saku Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway.

Read more about Lake Senroku

An artificial lake and dam in Nagano offering scenic views within Hijiriyama Kogen Prefectural Park and a nearby botanical garden.

What it is

• An artificial lake in Omi Village formed by the construction of Onuma Dam.
• Located within the scenic boundaries of Hijiriyama Kogen Prefectural Park.
• The dam was completed in 1964 to provide irrigation and public water supply.
• A seventeen meter tall fill dam that holds the reservoir waters.

What to see

• The Onuma Dam structure standing seventeen meters high.
• A paved road for vehicles that runs across the crest of the dam.
• The Okuhijiri Mizubasho Garden located in the immediate vicinity of the lake.
• Views of the surrounding prefectural park from the lakeside.

Getting there

• The lake is accessible to visitors via National Route 403.

Read more about Lake Suzuran

A deep, high-altitude lake in Nagano formed by a landslide, known for its clear water and cinematic history.

What it is

• The third largest lake in Nagano Prefecture, located in northern Omachi City.
• One of the Nishina Three Lakes, formed by a landslide approximately 30,000 years ago.
• A deep body of water reaching 58 meters at its lowest point.
• A resource used for local irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.

What to see

• Surrounding forests composed of oak and mountain ash trees.
• The filming location for the movie The Inugami Family.
• A high-altitude lake surface sitting at 822 meters above sea level.

Getting there

• Yanaba Station is the closest railway station to the lake.
• National Route 148 runs directly near the lake for road access.

Read more about Lake Aoki

The smallest of the Nishina Three Lakes, offering a quiet mountain setting famous for seasonal fishing and tectonic geology.

What it is

• The smallest of the Nishina Three Lakes in northern Omachi City.
• A tectonic lake formed along the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line.
• A destination known for crucian carp and smelt fishing.
• A water body connected to Lake Aoki by the Nogawa River.

What to see

• A mountain lake with a surface area of 0.14 square kilometers.
• Waters reaching a maximum depth of 12 meters.
• The nearby Sun Alpina Kashimayari Ski Resort landscape.
• Views of the surrounding Nagano Prefecture mountain scenery.

Getting there

• Located near Yanaba Station on the Oito Line.
• Accessible via National Route 148 which runs near the water.

Read more about Lake Nakatsuna

A high-altitude artificial lake in Chino City offering scenic forest views, boat rentals, and a lakeside sculpture park.

What it is

• An artificial irrigation pond completed in 1952 in Chino City.
• A warm water reservoir situated at an altitude of 1,250 meters.
• A small body of water with a circumference of approximately one kilometer.
• A functional site featuring a seven meter wide circular diversion works.

What to see

• Surrounding forests of larch and white birch trees.
• Swan boats and beetle shaped boats available for use on the water.
• The Tateshina Highlands Museum of Art Sculpture Park located lakeside.

Getting there

• Located along Nagano Prefectural Road 40.
• A fifty minute drive from the Suwa-Minami Interchange.

Read more about Lake Tateshina

An artificial lake in Nagano offering year-round recreation including winter ice fishing and a long floating bridge.

What it is

• An artificial agricultural reservoir for the Sobu River completed in 1972.
• A sedimentation basin designed to remove iron from the local water supply.
• An earth-fill dam structure constructed primarily from clay soil.
• A habitat for rare endangered algae species discovered in 2001.

What to see

• A floating bridge spanning 273 meters across the water.
• Recreational facilities including campgrounds, golf courses, and a ski resort.
• Local fish species such as carp, crucian carp, and black bass.

When to go

• Winter for pond smelt fishing on the frozen surface of the lake.

Read more about Lake Reisenji