Overview
Otori Pond is a mountain lake sitting at around 966 m above sea level in the Asahi Mountains of Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture. Covering roughly 0.4 square kilometers, its still surface is ringed by deep forest. The lake is famous as the home of the legendary giant fish known as Takitaro, giving it a mysterious atmosphere.
Highlights
- ●Views of a mountain lake at 966 m elevation
- ●The calm surface unique to a barrier lake
- ●The legend of the phantom giant fish Takitaro
- ●The deep forests and nature of the Asahi Mountains
History
Otori Pond is said to be a barrier lake formed tens of thousands of years ago when a landslide blocked a river. Lying in the mountains of Otori in Tsuruoka, it has long been passed down as the setting of the Takitaro legend.
Access
The lake lies high in the mountains toward the Asahi range from central Tsuruoka, at an elevation of about 966 m. As it is a mountain lake reached on foot via hiking trails, please check maps and official information for the latest routes and conditions.
Best season
Early summer with its fresh greenery and autumn with its colored leaves are the best times to visit, when the mountains and the lake's surface shine in the clear air.
Map
38.3625, 139.8292 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Set off from central Tsuruoka toward the Asahi Mountains
- 2Hike the mountain trail toward Otori Pond
- 3Stroll around the lake surface and surrounding forest
- 4Reflect on the Takitaro legend on the way down
Did you know?
💡 Legend says a huge fish called Takitaro lives in the pond, and the name is still cherished by locals today.
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