Lake Shirakawa Submerged Forest

The water level gradually decreases around May 15th every year. Additionally, in order to release irrigation water for use in rice cultivation, the water level drops over a period of about 10 days and returns from the lake to the river. You will be able to see the beautiful submerged forest until around May 20th.

The morning mist over Lake Shirakawa is a natural phenomenon, so if weather conditions and temperature differences are suitable, you can see it from around 4:00 am to 7:00 am. However, please note that morning mist does not occur every day.

Regarding the hours when you can enter and exit the parking lot, including the temporary one at Shirakawa Dam Lakeshore Park, you can virtually enter and exit the parking lot for 24 hours. However, since there is a campground within the park, there are concerns about noise such as noise from late night hours when people are asleep, headlights shining, and long periods of idling. If you are planning to enter the venue late at night or early in the morning, please be especially aware of the above.

<About parking cooperation funds> During the Golden Week period from April 29th to May 7th, we will ask for your cooperation in using the parking lot between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Due to the difficulty of staff presence and the installation of parking equipment, we would appreciate your cooperation when entering the Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park parking lot during this time.

Regarding public transportation to the submerged forest of Lake Shirakawa, unfortunately there is no bus service. Regarding trains, due to heavy rain on the JR Yonezaka Line, buses are currently being used for some sections between Imaizumi and Sakamachi station.

*The nearest station is Tenoko Station.

<About time changes to the Yonezaka Line substitute bus and temporary timetable from Saturday, March 18th (timetable)>

 https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2022/niigata/20230301_ni01.pdf 

JR Tenoko Station As for taxis, we generally do not wait. We will mainly call you by phone, so we recommend that you make a reservation in advance, specifying when and where you would like us to pick you up.

Taxi company (Mezami Kotsu)

TEL : 0238-72-2137

If you are planning to use the taxi from Tenoko Station, please make a similar reservation. Taxi fares are expected to be around 5,000 to 8,000 yen one way.

Please note that Golden Week is expected to be extremely crowded, and taxi fares may increase significantly if you are stuck in traffic jams until you arrive. If you still have time to consider it, we sincerely recommend that you come on a date other than consecutive holidays, such as during Golden Week.

The canoe experience is a special plan sponsored by the "Iide Canoe Club", so please make a reservation below.

Please contact Iide Canoe Club directly if you wish to check your reservation status on the day, if you are going to be late for the experience, or if you wish to cancel your reservation. In addition, the experience will be held even in rainy weather, unless the instructor determines that it is impossible to ensure the safety of the customers.

<Iide Canoe Club Official Reservation Page> https://www.iide3.net

IIf you would like to bring your own canoe, etc., there is no need to make a reservation, and you can use it as is by submitting the Shirakawa Dam lake usage notification below.

For details on submitting the notification, please refer to this page.

https://www.thr.mlit.go.jp/mogami/visit/apply/shirakawa-apply.html

It is also important to consider canceling if the weather is not good. Please be sure to enjoy safe and secure outdoor activities.

If you wish to fly a drone near a submerged forest or try canoeing on your own, you must submit a lake usage notification to the Shirakawa Dam Management Office in advance. Please report it properly and have a safe and secure experience.

[Shirakawa Dam Management Office]

TEL: 0238-75-2131

https://www.thr.mlit.go.jp/mogami/visit/application/shirakawa-lake-apply.html

Due to the revised Civil Aeronautics Act, the weight of unmanned aircraft eligible for registration has been changed, so if you want to fly a corresponding drone (total weight of 100g or more), aircraft registration and FISS registration are required. See below for details.

[Drone information infrastructure system]

https://www.ossportal.dips.mlit.go.jp/portal/top/

*In order to ensure the safety of visitors, canoeists, and users of auto campgrounds, etc., drone aerial photography within Shirakawa Lakeside Park and around the submerged forests of Lake Shirakawa is subject to the Civil Aeronautics Act from the perspective of accident prevention. "Flights of unmanned aircraft that may violate the regulations" are strictly prohibited.

[Drone aerial photography available hours] 8:00 a.m. to before sunset

*Please refrain from taking aerial photographs by drone early in the morning (even if you have night flight permission from the Tokyo Civil Aviation Bureau), as it may cause inconvenience to campers using the auto campground or free site.

Please be assured that there are approximately 150 parking spaces, including temporary parking spaces. In addition, if you are an elderly person, you can park your car in the parking lot below and walk for about 5 minutes.

<Parking lot near the symbolic single willow tree> https://goo.gl/maps/N3zxz9XfPGMupgMV8 However, if you are unavoidably directed to the parking lot below, you will need to walk for about 10 to 15 minutes. We kindly ask for your understanding.

<Parking lot a little far away>

https://goo.gl/maps/aZGLSCtTZ6k5QyNt5

<About parking cooperation fee>

Limited to the Golden Week period from April 29th to May 7th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We ask for your cooperation in using the parking lot. Due to the difficulty of staff presence and the installation of parking equipment, we would appreciate your cooperation when entering the Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park parking lot during this time.

[Cooperation Fee period] April 29th - May 7th

[Car] 1000 yen [Motorcycle] 500 yen

*Parking donation is not based on an hourly basis but is a flat amount.

It would be a good idea to set Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso, which is adjacent to Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park.

Name: Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso

Address: 218-1 Kazuma, Iide-machi, Nishiokitama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture Phone: 0238-77-2124