Suwa Lake: Shinshu Lake Colored by Omiwatari Ice Ridges and Fireworks

Omiwatari Ice Ridges

Suwa Lake is a lake about 15km circumference in Suwa City, Nagano, freezing over in winter. After the entire lake freezes in severe cold (January-February), temperature fluctuations may cause the "Omiwatari" phenomenon where ice rises to form ice mountain ridges several meters wide and tens of centimeters high traversing the lake.

Suwa Lake Fireworks

The "Suwa Lake Festival Lake Surface Fireworks" held annually on August 15 is one of Japan's largest-scale fireworks with about 40,000 shells fired. Nationally famous for the beauty of fireworks reflected on the lake surface and the high number of shells fired.

Suwa Taisha and Faith

On Suwa Lake shore is the head shrine "Suwa Taisha" of about 25,000 Suwa shrines nationwide. Suwa Taisha is one of Japan's oldest shrines, divided into four precincts (Kamisha Honmiya, Maemiya, Shimosha Akimiya, Harumiya). "Onbashira Festival" held once every 7 years is a grand festival attracting many spectators.