Nagano Prefecture "Shirakoma Pond" Autumn Leaves Video Introduction
Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves Images
Photo: Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves
This time, we introduce a video titled "[4K] Mystical Scenery, Sky Lake Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves - Autumn Leaves at Shirakoma Pond - (shot on BMPCC6K)" produced by "AQUA Geo Graphic".

Shirakoma Pond, located in Nagano Prefecture, is known as a famous spot for autumn leaves. The sight of trees turning red and yellow reflecting on the lake's surface is as beautiful as a painting. Surrounded by rich nature, the area around Shirakoma Pond also offers hiking and mountain climbing opportunities. Shirakoma Pond, with its captivating seasonal landscapes, is a popular tourist destination visited by many throughout the year.
Enjoy the breathtaking autumn leaves, with fiery reds and yellows mirrored on the lake's surface like a mirror, in this 2-minute and 14-second 4K video.

Nagano Prefecture's Famous Autumn Leaves Spot, Sky Lake "Shirakoma Pond" – Where Is It Located?
Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond from Takamiishi Image
Photo: Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond from Takamiishi
Among the numerous famous autumn leaves spots in Nagano Prefecture, Shirakoma Pond is particularly known for its mystical beauty and is also called the sky lake.

Shirakoma Pond is located on the border of Komimachi and Sakuhomachi in Minamisaku-gun, eastern Nagano Prefecture. On maps, it is labeled as "Shirakoma Pond," but locally it is called "Shirakoma no Ike." Situated at an elevation of 2,115 meters on Yachiho Kogen, Shirakoma Pond is the largest natural lake at the highest altitude in Japan.
Additionally, the lake's water transparency is exceptionally high at 5.8 meters. Despite being in a highland area, Shirakoma Pond is easily accessible. With well-maintained walking paths, it has become a popular tourist spot that is also photogenic.

When is the Best Time to See the Autumn Leaves at Shirakoma Pond? Best Season and Photography Spots
Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves Images
Photo: Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves
Around Shirakoma Pond, there is a primeval forest counted among Japan's three major primeval forests, where during the autumn leaves season, the native trees like Doudan Tsutsuji, Dake Kanba, and various maples turn red and yellow. Every year, many tourists visit to witness the autumn foliage.

If you're planning to enjoy autumn foliage, it's essential to check the color change status to avoid missing the best season. When does the autumn foliage at Shirakoma Pond reach its peak?

In the Chubu region's high-altitude areas, the best time to see autumn leaves begins as early as late September, and typically starts around early October. In places above 2,000 meters, the timing of autumn foliage is said to remain relatively consistent, so the best time to see the autumn leaves at Shirakoma Pond in 2023 is expected to be from late September to mid-October.

During the busy autumn foliage season at Shirakoma Pond, are you aware of the excellent photography spots that overlook the lakeside? They are the mountain lodges named "Shirakoma-so" and "Seitaiso." The two lodges, facing each other across Shirakoma Pond, are also known for capturing morning glow and sunrise with the lake's surface in the foreground.

Recommended for Hiking! Shirakoma Pond to Takamiishi Route
Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Surrounding Moss Forest Image
Photo: Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Surrounding Moss Forest
Around Shirakoma Pond, there are several hiking courses that even beginners can enjoy.
A recommended course with minimal elevation change and easy hiking is the Shirakoma Pond to Takamiishi route.

The estimated time is about 2 hours. Departing from Shirakoma Pond Parking, proceed along the walking path while enjoying the moss-covered forest, selected by the Japanese Bryological Society as "Japan's Precious Moss Forest," and at a fork in the path, head towards Takamiishi Hut. Along the gentle ascent, you can enjoy beautiful scenery covered with moss.

Climb behind Takamiishi Hut to reach Takamiishi. From Takamiishi, you can overlook the magnificent views of the Northern Alps, Central Alps, and Shirakoma Pond. After enjoying the scenery, descend from Takamiishi towards Shirakoma Pond. Proceed along the mystical walking path around Shirakoma Pond, complete a loop around the pond, and return to the parking lot to finish.

While the walking paths around Shirakoma Pond are well-maintained, they can become slippery when it rains. Especially when visiting Takamiishi, which consists of a series of rock formations, utmost caution is necessary to prevent injuries or accidents. Before heading out, prepare comfortable shoes and clothing, and check the weather conditions.

Also, since the area around Shirakoma Pond is mountainous, there can be significant temperature differences. To prepare for temperature changes, please bring warm clothing and cold-weather gear to adjust as needed.

After enjoying hiking in the magnificent nature, it's also nice to take a break at the nearby hot spring areas. Around Shirakoma Pond, there are facilities where you can enjoy hot springs along with beautiful scenery. Relax your tired body in the hot springs and fully enjoy the mountain's nature.

During the autumn foliage season, Shirakoma Pond is very crowded! What about the parking lot?
Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves Images
Photo: Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves
To visit Shirakoma Pond, it's convenient to use the parking lot along National Route 299. From the parking lot, it's about a 15-minute walk to reach the pond.
However, during the autumn foliage season, a popular tourist spot like Shirakoma Pond can attract over 180,000 visitors, and especially on weekends, the parking lot becomes even more crowded. At the same time, the number of cars entering and exiting the parking lot increases, leading to significant traffic jams on the surrounding roads.

The crowded times at Shirakoma Pond are often from around 10 am to 2 pm on weekdays, and from around 9 am to 2 pm on weekends and holidays.

If you plan to visit Shirakoma Pond on a weekday to see the autumn foliage, it might be smoother to go between around 6 am and 9 am, and on weekends and holidays, between around 6 am and 8 am. However, there have been reviews mentioning that even around 9 am, the parking lot was full, so when you actually visit, it's advisable to check the real-time situation.

To know real-time congestion information around Shirakoma Pond, using X (formerly Twitter) is convenient. By searching for keywords like "Shirakoma Pond," you can check the latest tweets.

Also, it's recommended to check the live camera installed at Shirakoma Pond Parking. By accessing the official website of Shirakoma Pond Paid Parking, you can view the live camera updated every 5 minutes. This helps in checking the parking lot's status and weather conditions in real-time.

While traveling to Shirakoma Pond during the autumn foliage season by car is convenient, if you want to avoid congestion and traffic jams, considering the use of public transportation might also be good.

Summary of Shirakoma Pond's Autumn Leaves
Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves Images
Photo: Nagano Prefecture・Shirakoma Pond Autumn Leaves
Shirakoma Pond, a famous spot for autumn leaves in Nagano Prefecture, is the largest natural lake at the highest altitude in Japan, located at an elevation of 2,115 meters. During the autumn foliage season, native trees like Doudan Tsutsuji and Dake Kanba turn beautifully, creating a picturesque landscape.

Additionally, around Shirakoma Pond, there is a "Moss Forest" inhabited by 485 species of moss. The best time to see the moss is from mid-June to late July after the rainy season, and you can enjoy the moss forest until early November every year. Why not experience the mystical beauty of Shirakoma Pond conveyed through the video?

[TripAdvisor] Shirakoma Pond