Sugawako Lake is a tranquil mountain lake located in the Suwagata area of Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it offers a peaceful escape from the city and a chance to enjoy the changing scenery of the Japanese countryside.
The lake lies on the slopes of Mt. Komakiyama at an elevation of approximately 700 meters. It covers about 100,000 square meters, has a shoreline of approximately 3 kilometers, and reaches a maximum depth of 4.6 meters.
Forests of Japanese larch surround the lake, creating a beautiful landscape throughout the year. The area is also rich in plant species, making Sugawako an appealing destination for visitors interested in nature and the ecosystems of Japan’s mountain regions.
The mountain to the north is also associated with the remains of a castle traditionally attributed to Minamoto no Yoshinaka, also known as Kiso Yoshinaka, adding a layer of history to this otherwise quiet natural setting.
Sugawako was not originally the lake seen today. The site was once a small pond surrounded by mountains on three sides—north, east, and south.
Between 1654 and 1657, during the rule of the Sengoku-era lordship of the Sen-goku family of Ueda Domain, earth and clay were used to build up the western side of the pond. The project created the reservoir in its present form and secured an important supply of water for agriculture.
For generations, the reservoir supported the daily lives of local communities. In a region where farming depended heavily on reliable water supplies, Sugawako became an important part of the local landscape and livelihood.
During particularly cold winters, the entire surface of Sugawako would freeze, transforming the lake into a natural skating rink. This unusual winter landscape eventually became one of the lake’s best-known attractions.
In 1953, Sugawako hosted the 21st All-Japan Speed Skating Championships. The event brought national attention to the lake and demonstrated that the small mountain reservoir could serve as a major winter sports venue.
Other competitions, including the All-Shinshu Skating Championships and the Ueda City Citizens’ Skating Championships, were also held here. The frozen lake was used not only for competitions but also for skating lessons for local children.
The period during which the lake could reliably freeze was limited. The spread of artificial skating rinks also reduced the need to rely on natural ice, while rising temperatures gradually made stable ice formation increasingly difficult.
By around 1975, Sugawako was no longer being used as a skating rink. Its role gradually shifted from a winter sports venue to a destination for summer recreation and nature-based tourism.
After skating came to an end, activities such as fishing and boating became increasingly popular. The area was developed as a recreational destination, with facilities including accommodation, vacation homes, tennis courts, and a golf course appearing around the lake.
Today, Sugawako continues to serve as a quiet resort area where visitors can enjoy the natural environment at a relaxed pace.
Among the four seasons, autumn is particularly beautiful at Sugawako. The surrounding Japanese larch forests turn brilliant shades of gold, and the colors are reflected on the calm surface of the lake.
The combination of golden trees, still water, and surrounding mountains creates an atmospheric landscape that is especially attractive to photographers. During the autumn foliage season, the lake draws visitors seeking the peaceful beauty of the Japanese countryside.
Sugawako is associated with an intriguing local legend involving Shinano Kokubunji Temple. According to the story, the temple’s bell lies somewhere beneath the waters of the lake.
Long ago, thieves are said to have stolen the bell from Shinano Kokubunji. While they were resting near the area of Sugawako, the bell supposedly began moving on its own, calling out that it longed for Kokubunji. It then fell into the lake and disappeared beneath the water.
The legend continues by saying that the bell eventually became the dragon who rules the lake. According to local tradition, people who were in danger of drowning could save themselves by saying that they were going to Kokubunji.
The lake was also believed to possess a mysterious connection with rainfall. Even during prolonged periods of drought, it was said that Sugawako would never completely dry up. If the water level became low enough for the dragon-shaped bell ornament, known as the ryuzu, to appear above the surface, the dragon was believed to summon clouds and bring rain.
The water chestnuts growing naturally in the lake were once locally called “kanetsuki.” The name is thought to reflect the connection between the lake, its legendary bell, and the beliefs of the people who lived around it.
Such traditions reveal how closely the natural environment was intertwined with local life and religious imagination.
Today, Sugawako is enjoyed as an outdoor recreation area where visitors can experience fishing, boating, and forest bathing. Its relatively convenient access from the urban area of Ueda makes it suitable for a relaxing day trip.
The surrounding forests and quiet waters also provide an excellent setting for children to learn about nature. The lake’s combination of water, woodland, plants, and wildlife makes it a valuable place for environmental and outdoor education.
Sugawako is located southeast of central Ueda City. Visitors can travel along Nagano Prefectural Route 186 and continue into the surrounding mountain area to reach the lake.
Because Sugawako lies in a relatively quiet mountainous setting, the journey itself offers a chance to experience the rural scenery of Ueda and the transition from the city into the surrounding forests and hills.
Sugawako is more than a peaceful mountain lake. Its waters have supported local agriculture for centuries, its frozen surface once hosted national speed-skating competitions, and its surrounding forests offer beautiful seasonal scenery.
The legend of the sunken bell of Shinano Kokubunji adds another fascinating dimension to the landscape. Stories of a mysterious dragon, drought-resistant waters, and rain summoned from the clouds show how local people have connected the lake with faith and folklore.
For travelers exploring the Ueda area, Sugawako offers a different experience from the region’s famous castles and historic temples. Here, the attraction lies in the combination of still water, mountain forests, seasonal beauty, local history, and centuries-old folklore.
Whether visited during the golden colors of autumn or on a peaceful summer day, Sugawako provides an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the quieter side of Nagano.
This tranquil lake is a memorable destination for anyone looking to experience the natural landscapes and traditional stories of rural Japan.