Lake Suwa's Tradition Swans Flying, Observation Season Approaching (Late January ~)
In late December, the winter tradition of swans is confirmed to fly in Lake Suwa (Okaya City) in Nagano Prefecture, and the observation season begins in earnest from late January to February. (Photo taken in February 2014)
Every year, swans fly to Lake Suwa from Siberia in December. This winter, on December 22 last year, four swans, which are said to be the first group, were confirmed near the mouth of the Yokogawa River. At the end of the year, a flock of 12 birds was identified. The flight of swans to Lake Suwa has been 49 consecutive seasons since Showa 49. At the beginning of the new year (1/4), 5 birds were confirmed. "I think I'm going back and forth between Azumino and Lake Suwa" (Lake Suwa Swan Association). The swan tally is surveyed by the tourism association and the local swan association.
The swans spend their time in the area marked as the "swan landing area" at the mouth of the Yokogawa River, which flows into the western shore of the lake. You can observe swans from the shore of Lake Suwa Heights (hot spring facility) on the riverbank. It is a superb location overlooking Yatsugatake across the lake. In the severe winter season, which usually starts around mid-January, you can see a flock of swans nestled on the surface of the frozen lake. If the weather is good, you can see Mt. Fuji in the background.
The precautions for swan-watching are to refrain from feeding, wash hands, gargle, and wash the soles of shoes after observation.
To get to the site, get off at Okaya Station on the JR Chuo Main Line and take a taxi for about 10 minutes. 15 minutes from the Okaya IC on the Chuo Expressway (parked at Suwako Heights Municipal Gymnasium).
Two swans have flown to Lake Suwa in Showa 49 and have been appearing every winter since then. At first, the number of flights was in the single digits, but the number increased due to welfare activities such as the Swan Society, and in a large year, nearly 100 ~ 200 swans arrived.
The Okaya City Commercial and Tourism Division said, "From now on, the number of friends will gradually increase, and you can enjoy observing and photographing swans in the open scenery. When your body gets cold, warm up in a nearby foot bath or hot spring." He also wrote, "Today, from the little cold Observation of the Crossing of the Divine has begun. This is also the charm of Lake Suwa in winter."
