Mishaka Pond

Mishaka Pond is a beautiful pond located in Toyohira, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. It's a picturesque pond that reflects the changing scenery of the four seasons on its surface. It's also known as the motif for the famous painting "Midori Hibiku" by Kawai Gyokudo, a representative painter of Japan. The best feature of the pond is undoubtedly the stunning scenery reflected on its surface. The pond, located in the mountains at an altitude of 1,500 meters, is quiet and has high transparency, reflecting the surrounding mountains and sky upside down. It's a fantastic sight that you'll want to enjoy at a leisurely pace. The surrounding larch forest changes color boldly with each season. In spring, it's a fresh green, in summer, a deep green, in autumn, a golden yellow, and in winter, it's covered in pure white snow and ice. The pond's surface reflects the scenery of each season, allowing you to enjoy a different view every day, which is another hidden charm. Moreover, depending on the time of day, it shows a completely different face, so why not visit many times and see for yourself?

The pond is beautiful in any season, but autumn is especially recommended. During the autumn foliage season, the surrounding larch forest turns golden and its colors are reflected on the water's surface. Its beauty is breathtaking and truly like a painting. The beginning of the color change is a beautiful gradient of green and yellow, and when it reaches its peak, it shines in golden hues. As the colors begin to fade, they turn into shades of orange and red, allowing you to enjoy a series of changes. It's a spot that photographers will love! The autumn leaves of Motosuko Pond face south, so it's backlit for most of the day when the weather is good. Therefore, cloudy days or early morning hours are recommended. Additionally, there is a lake called "Goddess Lake" nearby. It's a lake surrounded by birch forests, and you can enjoy beautiful autumn leaves from the lakeside. Together with the nature around the pond, please visit in the autumn to enjoy the wonderful scenery it provides.

Various waterfalls are scattered around the pond, but the most popular one is the "Otome Waterfall" located about 10 minutes by car from the pond. Despite its name, this waterfall has a powerful drop of 15 meters, yet its appearance exudes elegance and beauty. You can walk up close to feel the full force of nature and even get sprayed by the water. From the parking lot, you can reach the waterfall by descending a staircase. Although the stairs are a bit steep, they are well-maintained and easy to walk on, so there's no need to worry. When taking photos, enjoy the different impressions that can be created depending on the time of day and weather. The Otome Waterfall faces south, so it's front-lit in the morning and back-lit in the afternoon. During back-lighting, the sunset shines through, creating a fantastic atmosphere that you won't want to miss capturing on camera.

I also want to take a stroll to the hidden gem "Oshidori Kakushi no Taki," which is about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot by the pond. It's a waterfall surrounded by forests located at the uppermost stream of the Shibukawa River, where you can enjoy the sight of water gently sliding down a long rock surface. The cute yet mysterious appearance of the green moss called Chatsumi-goke growing on the reddish-brown rocks is a must-see. From the parking lot, walk along the road to Meiji Onsen Ryokan and descend the stairs behind it to reach the waterfall. The stairs are steep, but there are handrails, so it's safe. A makeshift bridge is set up in front of the waterfall, allowing you to observe it from various angles by crossing to the other side, which is also one of its attractions.

In the Okutateshina Hot Spring Village, which is dotted with historic hot spring inns and guesthouses around the pond, you can enjoy medicinal hot springs. One place you should definitely visit is "Shibu Tatsuno-kan". It's an inn known for its hot springs, which are called "Shingen's medicinal baths" and are said to be associated with Shingen Takeda. You can enjoy three types of hot springs, including a garden bath and an open-air bath surrounded by a forest. All of them are rich in various medicinal ingredients, including hydrogen sulfide, and can turn coins black just by leaving them in the water. After taking a dip, you'll feel lighter and rejuvenated. You can also enjoy mountain cuisine for your meals. The dishes, which use plenty of local ingredients, vary depending on the season, and gourmet plans such as Shinshu beef steak and Shinshu rockfish dishes are also recommended. From the dining area, you can enjoy the view of the white birch forest and mountains while relaxing and enjoying your meal.