Taishō-ike, Landslide-dammed lake in Kamikochi, Japan
Taishō-ike is a landslide-dammed lake in Kamikochi that stretches roughly one kilometer long and measures 50 to 100 meters wide. Bare, dead trees stand throughout the water, giving the lake its distinctive appearance.
The lake formed in 1915 when Mount Yakedake erupted and blocked the Azusa River with volcanic material and debris. This sudden event reshaped the landscape of the Kamikochi area permanently.
The lake sits within Chubu Sangaku National Park and shows visitors how natural forces shape Japan's mountain landscapes. The dead trees standing in the water are a visible reminder of nature's raw power.
The lake is reachable from late April through mid-November via shuttle buses that serve the Kamikochi area. Visitors should be prepared for mountain terrain and bring weatherproof clothing for changing conditions.
The dead trees standing in the lake were snapped by the 1915 eruption and have not decayed since that time. Their reflected forms against Mount Hotakadake's peaks create an unexpected beauty in this volcanic landscape.
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