While many scenic natural spots are not usually close to a train station, Kumoba Pond (雲場池) in Karuizawa is just a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station! The spot that was nicknamed Swan Lake (スワンレイク) by Westerners is a place with a very calm atmosphere that you will surely love!
Watercress and other aquatic and wet plants can also be observed on the north side of the pond.
The best way to enjoy what Kumoba Pond has to offer is by strolling on the 1-km-long promenade around the pond. The promenade is flat, so even prams and wheelchairs can travel on the road. The view of white birch, larch, and maple trees reflected on the pond surface, with the occasional scene of the ducks swimming peacefully across, is perfect for destressing ourselves from the daily hustle and bustle. So even the Japanese imperial family would visit Kumoba Pond at least once during their stay in Karuizawa!
Tips:
☛ Kumoba Pond is a popular tourist spot in Karuizawa. Arrive as early as possible. The lighting in the early morning is great for photography.
☛ It is best to visit Kumoba Pond on a day that isn’t windy so the scenery around the pond can be reflected clearly.
☛ There is a free toilet facility at Kumoba Pond.
Gozensui (御膳水)
If you walk upstream from Kumoba Pond for about 10 minutes along the river, you will find clear water that springs out (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
This water source has been called Gozensui since the Edo period because it was used to prepare meals for the feudal lords and court nobles. The water was also used to cook Meiji Emperor’s lunch when he visited Karuizawa.
The Best Season to Visit Kumoba Pond
- From late May to July, there is a higher chance of spotting ducklings following their parents at Kumoba Pond.
- The fall foliage season at Kumoba Pond is from late October to early November.
- Karuizawa will likely experience morning fog until around 9 am in autumn. So while Kumoba Pond will be more crowded in the late morning, it might be a better time to visit the pond for more stunning scenery.
How to Get to Kumoba Pond
- Kumoba Pond is a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station (軽井沢駅).
- You can also take Seibu Bus’ service bounding for Kusatsu or Karuizawa Town Loop Bus (軽井沢町内循環バス東・南廻り線) and get off at Roppontsuji/Kumobaike (六本辻・雲場池).
Discover Other Attractions in Karuizawa
Karuizawa, one of Japan’s leading highland resorts, is a great place to stay for a day or overnight trip from Tokyo. The town, filled with delicious cafes and restaurants, also is rich in natural scenery. So between eating and shopping, you can hike or cycle into nature to bathe in the negative ion-rich forest with a few waterfalls scattered!
For more information about what to do in the summer resort, refer to our Karuizawa article!
