Lake Suwa 諏訪湖

  • Published on : 14/01/2016
  • by : Antoine Legastelois

The God's Crossing

With a phenomenon called "the God's Crossing," who wouldn't want to visit Lake Suwa!

The miracle of nature, Omiwatari

Beyond the beauty of the place, the Lake Suwa is most famous for a natural phenomenon quite fascinating that manifests in its waters.

This "miracle of nature" is called "Omiwatari" (御 神 渡 り), or the "God's Crossing." What is it that happens exactly? Every winter when the lake freezes completely and the outdoor temperature is maintained for days at a very low temperature, the ice cracks and fissures form in the ice.

Slowly, as days go past, a sort of ice ridge forms on the surface.

Why is this? The answer is actually in the depths of the lake. Lake Suwa has a hot spring which generates a considerable temperature difference, so the laws of physics produce this "miracle".

According to legend, the god of the lake - Takeminakata no kami - would leave his sanctuary to rejoin his beloved - the goddess Yasakatome - on the opposite bank. And this trip would result in these beautiful peaks on frozen waters. A much nicer way to explain the phenomenon!

Suwako Lake Suwa

Our tours in Nagano

  • Duration : 13 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima
  • Included : Visits & meals, English-speaking tour leader, Hotel temple, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan
  • Duration : 14 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Osaka
  • Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan, Hotel temple, Visits & meals
  • Duration : 12 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko), Osaka, Himeji, Kyoto, Nara
  • Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3* Hotels & Ryokan, Visits & meals
  • Duration : 12 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kawaguchiko, Tokyo
  • Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan, Visits & meals
  • Duration : 6 days
  • Locations : Tokyo
  • Included : 5* hotels, English-speaking tour leader, Visits & meals, Full-board
  • Duration : 21 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Osaka, Kobe, Takachiho, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Miyajima
  • Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan, Hotel temple, Visits & meals
See all our other Tours (6)

Latest Articles

Sunset over rocks in the ocean from Sado Island

Sado Island Guide

The history of Sado Island, north of Nagano, is one of both a land of exile and the gold rush. Today, it is primarily a destination for seasoned hikers and a center of taiko drumming.

Japan Visitor - iida20191.jpg

Iida Guide Nagano

Iida is a small city of around 100,000 inhabitants located in the Ina Valley in the south of Nagano Prefecture. It is famous for its apples and Puppet Festa.

Le lac Aoki en hiver

The Three Nishina Lakes

The Aoki, Nakatsuna and Kizaki lakes form the "Three Lakes Nishina". Located in the Japanese Alps, their surroundings offer many activities to travelers.

See All (25)