Lake Suwa 諏訪湖

  • Pubblicato il : 14/01/2016
  • Per : Antoine Legastelois

Le lac chantant

Avec son phénomène dit de la "Traversée de Dieu", savourons, au Lac Suwa, un je-ne-sais-quoi d’Islande au cœur de l’archipel nippon !

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