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Echoes of Green: A Journey to Kaii Higashiyama's Inspired Pond
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四季折々の美しい映り込み：静寂に包まれた長野の池
- Location: Chino, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
- Timestamp: 05:59・2024/09/11
- Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
- 28 mm ISO 100 for 1/6 sec. at ƒ/9.0
I first came across this picturesque pond on Instagram, where a photographer kindly shared its name, the town it resides in, and the season of his visit. These details made it easy for me to plan my own trip, realizing it was less than a four-hour drive if I left at 1 or 2 a.m.
Nestled in the forested outskirts of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, Mishaka-Ike Pond is actually a man-made reservoir, serving the local farmers. The peaceful surroundings and its tranquil beauty instantly captivated me.
The drive to the pond was quite smooth; it only took around 30 minutes from the Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway to reach the nearby parking lot. Surprisingly, the lot is larger than anticipated, accommodating about 30 cars. Visiting on a weekday at 5:00 a.m., the parking lot was empty, though I suspect weekends might see it filling up early.
According to an information placard at the site, this pond was the inspiration for the renowned painting Midori Hibiku (Echoes of Green) by Kaii Higashiyama (1908-1999). It felt special to stand before the very landscape that stirred such a work of art.
Perched at an elevation of 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet), the pond is widely celebrated for the stunning reflections of the surrounding trees and sky on its still surface. For photographers and nature lovers alike, the best time to visit is during the early morning hours, around blue hour or golden hour. At this time, before the sun climbs too high, the air is still and the water remains as smooth as glass, creating the perfect mirror-like reflections.
Do note, however, that access to the pond is limited to the northern shoreline. There are fences in place preventing closer access, but this restriction doesn’t take away from the serene beauty that stretches out before you.
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