In autumn, Mishakaike Pond transforms as fall foliage reflects on its surface, creating a vibrant world of color. The scene, reminiscent of Higashiyama Kaii’s (1908-1999, celebrated Japanese painter) “Green Resonance,” now glows in reds and yellows, deepening the harmony between forest and water.

In early morning, as mist slowly drifts across the water’s surface, the entire pond becomes enveloped in a dreamlike scene. This moment creates the illusion of wandering into another world, liberating one’s heart in the surrounding stillness.

It is a time when the boundary between self and nature dissolves, making you feel as though you have become part of the landscape itself.

Getting there: About 40 minutes by car from Suwa IC or Minami-Suwa IC on the Chuo Expressway. Parking available. Studless tires and chains are essential during winter.

Photographed: Mid-October 2022, 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM

Temperature: 13°C (55.4°F)

Text/Kenji Sakamoto
Photo/Kenji Sakamoto
Translation/Yumiko Sushitani