Two Distinct Landscapes: the “White” and “Green” Submerged Forests
The appearance of the Shirakawa Lake Submerged Forest changes dramatically as spring progresses. Broadly speaking, visitors can enjoy two different landscapes: the “White Submerged Forest” before the trees begin to sprout, and the “Green Submerged Forest” after the willows are covered in fresh foliage.
The White Submerged Forest | Late March to Mid-April
From late March through around mid-April, the willows have not yet begun to sprout. Snow may still remain along the lakeshore, creating a quiet white landscape of snow-covered mountains, the lake, and white willows standing in the water.
The reflection of the blue sky and the silhouettes of mountains still covered with snow add to the otherworldly atmosphere. During this period, canoe tours may also be available, allowing visitors to paddle through the lake while breaking through thin ice remaining on the water and view the submerged forest from a unique perspective.
The Green Submerged Forest | Mid-April to Mid-May
From around mid-April to mid-May, the white willows begin to sprout. Fresh green leaves spread across the lakeshore, transforming the landscape into the “Green Submerged Forest.” The young foliage is reflected on the surface of the water, creating a vivid spring scene.
Listening to birdsong while looking across the tranquil lake and fresh greenery is one of the special pleasures of spring at Shirakawa Lake. As the rice-planting season approaches in late May, the water level gradually falls and the ground beneath the water begins to emerge. The submerged forest season then comes to an end, and the landscape gradually changes into the summer scenery of Shirakawa Lake.
A Magical Submerged Forest Illuminated at Night
The Shirakawa Lake Submerged Forest is captivating not only during the day but also after dark. On calm nights with little wind, the illuminated white willows are reflected on the surface of the lake, creating an atmosphere completely different from the daytime landscape.
Visitors can enjoy the illumination while sitting around a campfire directly in front of the lakeside camping area, making it possible to spend a peaceful evening surrounded by nature. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the “Submerged Forest BAR” may also be held, offering drinks at a counter where guests can admire the shimmering trees across the lake.
Shirakawa Lake, Created by Shirakawa Dam
Today’s Shirakawa Lake is a man-made reservoir created by Shirakawa Dam. With a total storage capacity of approximately 50 million tons, it is one of the largest reservoirs in the Okitama region.
The area around Shirakawa Lake offers much more than its famous springtime submerged forest. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, summer events, autumn foliage, and winter ice, with nature-based events held throughout the year.
Oyamazakura Cherry Blossoms and Snowy Mountains in Spring
Around early April, Oyamazakura cherry trees begin to bloom along the lakeshore. The pink blossoms contrast beautifully with the snow remaining on the Iide mountain range, creating a quintessentially springtime landscape.
The National Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Marathon
In early May, the National Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Marathon is held around Shirakawa Dam. The event offers three courses of 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km, starting and finishing near the dam. Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 people typically participate.
At this time of year, large quantities of snowmelt flow into the reservoir, and water may be released from the dam. The powerful sight of water rushing down from the dam is another attraction of visiting Shirakawa Dam in spring.
Shirakawa Lake in Summer, Autumn, and Winter
In summer, the SNOW Egg Festival is held at Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park around late July. Known as a “mid-summer snow festival,” the event makes use of snow even during the hottest season. A fireworks display is also held beside Shirakawa Lake at night.
In autumn, the surrounding trees begin to turn brilliant colors around late October, creating beautiful reflections and contrasts between the lake and autumn foliage. In winter, the surface of the lake freezes, offering a chance to see the frozen Shirakawa Lake.
Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park: A Base for Outdoor Adventures
Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park is not simply a place to view the submerged forest. It also offers a variety of outdoor activities. The park has a park golf course and an auto campground, while water activities such as canoeing and SUP are available on the lake.
Whether relaxing beside the water, enjoying outdoor sports, or spending a night camping, visitors can choose how they want to enjoy the natural surroundings.
Explore the Submerged Forest by Canoe
At Shirakawa Lake, visitors can join canoe tours that take them directly onto the lake to see the submerged forest from the water. Paddling while looking at the blue sky, white clouds, surrounding mountains, and trees rising from the lake feels almost like an expedition into an untouched natural landscape.
Staff provide careful instruction on paddling techniques, making the experience accessible even to first-time canoeists, families, and older visitors. It is an enjoyable way to get closer to the submerged trees while safely experiencing the lake.
Early-Morning Tours and Chair SUP
Some tours include early-morning excursions timed to enjoy the special atmosphere around sunrise. The quiet lake and submerged forest in the early morning offer a completely different experience from the daytime scenery.
Another option is chair SUP, which allows participants to enjoy a gentle journey across the water while seated. It is particularly suitable for those who want to experience the lake in a relaxed and comfortable way.
Camping Beside the Submerged Forest
Another attraction of Shirakawa Lake is the opportunity to enjoy the magical submerged forest while camping beside the lake.
Kikorikan Cottage Village
Kikorikan Cottage Village offers 30 auto-camping sites as well as free sites where vehicles can be brought directly to the camping area. Some locations allow guests to pitch their tents with the submerged forest directly in front of them, creating a special camping experience available during the spring season.
For travelers who are not accustomed to sleeping in tents or who are new to outdoor activities, staying in one of the cottages is another option. Guests can remain close to nature while enjoying a more comfortable stay around Shirakawa Lake.
Enjoy Hot Springs and Local Cuisine at Shirakawa Onsen Iide Shirakawaso
At the entrance to Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park is Shirakawa Onsen Iide Shirakawaso. Located in a setting overlooking the submerged forest, the facility offers not only hot spring bathing but also dishes prepared with ingredients from Iide and the Nakatsugawa area.
A Hot Spring Overlooking the Submerged Forest
Shirakawa Onsen is also known as a “beauty bath.” Surrounded by magnificent natural scenery, the hot spring offers a relaxing place to soak while enjoying the changing landscapes of the four seasons.
Local Specialties from the Iide Region
Shirakawaso serves regional specialties including doburoku, a traditional unfiltered sake, as well as ramen made with mountain vegetables and soft-serve ice cream flavored with doburoku.
The gift shop also sells limited-edition products created through collaborations between the submerged forest and Outdoor Monster, along with local specialties from Iide. It is a convenient place to stop for souvenirs and mementos of a visit to the submerged forest.
Park Golf with Views of the Submerged Forest and Iide Mountains
Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park has a park golf course with four courses and 36 holes. Players can enjoy the sport in an open natural setting with views of the submerged forest and the Iide mountain range.
Various rental equipment is available, so visitors can easily give park golf a try even if they do not have their own equipment.
Nature Experiences at Genryu-no-Mori
Approximately 3 minutes by car or 15 minutes on foot from Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park is Yamagata Prefecture Genryu-no-Mori, a nature experience facility where visitors can enjoy activities such as adventure courses, forest programs, and craft workshops.
There are more than 40 types of adventure-course activities using logs, wires, and ropes, allowing both children and adults to enjoy moving through the forest. Workshops such as pottery and wreath-making are also available, making Genryu-no-Mori a worthwhile addition to a visit to Shirakawa Lake.
The surrounding area also has seven farm-stay accommodations, where guests can experience a more intimate side of rural life while staying among rice fields, mountains, and traditional countryside scenery.
Shirakawa Dam: A 66-Meter-High Rock-Fill Dam
Shirakawa Dam is located in Iide, Yamagata Prefecture, and was constructed on the Okitama Shirakawa River, part of the Mogami River system. The dam is 66 meters high and serves multiple purposes, including flood control, supplying agricultural and industrial water, and generating hydroelectric power.
Public hydroelectric power generation is operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Government, with an authorized output of 8,900 kW. The dam plays an important role in flood control along the Okitama Shirakawa and upper Mogami River, securing water for agriculture, and supporting local industries.
The History Behind the Construction of Shirakawa Dam
Flood-control projects along the Mogami River began in 1913. After repeated flooding occurred in various parts of the region following World War II, plans were developed to construct multipurpose dams as part of comprehensive river development projects along major tributaries.
In 1949, the “First Revised Mogami River Improvement Plan” was established. This was followed by the Second Revised Mogami River Improvement Plan in 1963. Under this plan, the construction of a dam was decided for the Okitama Shirakawa River, whose headwaters are in the Iide Mountains.
Plans Reconsidered After the Uetsu Heavy Rainfall Disaster
On August 28, 1967, the Uetsu Heavy Rainfall Disaster struck the Okitama region and surrounding areas. The resulting damage exceeded that caused by the 1913 floods, and the flood discharge reached approximately 1,400 cubic meters per second, far exceeding the original planning assumptions.
In response, the flood-control plan was reconsidered. The following year, in 1968, the Shirakawa Dam project was formulated as part of the Shirakawa Comprehensive Development Project.
Compensation Negotiations and Dam Construction
The construction of Shirakawa Dam required 104 households, comprising 117 families in Iide to be relocated from areas that would be submerged. Compensation negotiations were nevertheless concluded in approximately three months. The experience of flooding, including the Uetsu Heavy Rainfall Disaster, is said to have contributed to local residents’ understanding of the need for the project.
Construction of the main dam began in 1971, but geological instability and landslide-prevention measures required additional time. As a result, completion was delayed by four years from the original schedule, and the dam was completed in 1981.
Shirakawa Dam’s Role in Regional Safety and Development
Shirakawa Dam serves several important functions, including flood control along the Okitama Shirakawa and upper Mogami River, supplying agricultural water to existing farmland, providing new irrigation water in the western Okitama region, supplying industrial water to Iide, and generating hydroelectric power.
These functions help protect communities from flooding while securing the water resources needed for agriculture and industry. Today, the reservoir created by the dam has also become an important destination for nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation.
Shirakawa Lake and Dam Development in the Mogami River System
After Shirakawa Dam was completed, dam development continued throughout the Mogami River system. Sagae Dam was completed in 1990, followed by Nagai Dam in 2011.
Today, Shirakawa Dam, Sagae Dam, and Nagai Dam are managed together by the Mogami River Dam Integrated Management Office of the Tohoku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
A Springtime Spectacle Combined with Year-Round Outdoor Experiences
The Shirakawa Lake Submerged Forest is a special springtime landscape created when snowmelt temporarily raises the water level of the reservoir. From the “White Submerged Forest” surrounded by lingering snow to the “Green Submerged Forest” covered in fresh foliage, the changing scenery beautifully expresses the transition from winter to spring.
The area also offers a wide variety of experiences, including nighttime illumination, the Submerged Forest BAR, canoeing, SUP, camping, park golf, hot springs, and forest activities. Rather than simply viewing the submerged forest, visitors can spend time surrounded by the mountains and lake and experience the natural beauty of Iide.
For travelers seeking a unique seasonal landscape and a relaxing escape into nature, Shirakawa Lake offers an especially memorable way to experience the beauty of spring in Yamagata.