Nagamine Oike in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture|The number of swans flying exceeded 700 swans|The best time to see them is around mid-March, when the snow remains
Kashiwazaki City in Niigata Prefecture and the Tourism Association announced that the number of swans flying to Nagamine Oike in the city exceeded 700 on February 14, the highest ever. (Photo courtesy of Kashiwazaki Tourism Association)
Swans usually start flying to the pond in November and can be observed until mid-March, when the snow remains. There are three large ponds in the city where swans fly, and Nagamine Oike in particular is usually overwintered by more than 400 swans.
Since the first two swans were confirmed in 1978, the number of swans has increased, and now 400~500 swans fly in every year.
Most of them fly in as whooper swans. The feathers of the whole body are white, the tip of the beak is black, and the other yellow parts are wide, and it makes a squeak. They are used to humans, and when they are hungry, they will approach them and try to get food.
Local transportation is about a 25-minute walk from Nishiyama Station on the JR Echigo Line. About 5 minutes by car from the Hokuriku Expressway "Nishiyama IC". Parking and toilets are available.
The Kashiwazaki Tourism Association said, "This winter, there are many flights and the local area is excited, and the recommended observation time is until 7 o'clock in the morning or after 16 o'clock in the evening. During the day, they often go to the nearby rice paddies to look for food. The locals feed the pond with old rice and bread." I say.
# There was an error in "Nagamine Oike" instead of "Nagamine Oike" and it was corrected (2/22). We sincerely apologize to our readers and stakeholders.
