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A Hidden Gem in the Mountains of Kochi: Discover the Beauty and Access to Hakuryu Lake
You won’t find it in guidebooks, yet it captivates the hearts of those who visit. This breathtaking view lies deep in the mountains of Kochi Prefecture.
Its name is Hakuryu Lake. This small lake, with its mystical blue surface, sits quietly amid untouched nature, offering a stunningly beautiful landscape.
In this article, we’ll cover everything from the secrets behind Hakuryu Lake’s beauty to access information, parking, and visiting tips, all based on our firsthand experience.
“I want to visit, but how do I get there?”
“What kind of scenery can I see?”
We’ll answer these questions while providing essential information to know before your visit.
Hakuryu Lake
Hakuryu Lake is a small lake located in the mountainous area of Tsuno Town, Takaoka District, Kochi Prefecture. Fed by highly transparent spring water nurtured by limestone geology, the lake surface is known for shining emerald green or pale blue due to light reflection. On clear days, a beautiful blue spreads like a jewel, while in winter it takes on a mysterious whitish hue.
Rather than being developed as a tourist destination, it has only modest facilities and a small management system run by local residents. As a hidden gem known only to those in the know, visitors can enjoy its overwhelming transparency and color beauty along with the quietness of nature.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime, no restrictions (100 yen maintenance fee at unmanned reception) |
| Parking | 2 locations near entrance (free) |
| Access | By car or motorcycle (about 1 hour 30 minutes from Kochi City / about 25 minutes from Shikoku Karst) |
| Address | Yoshiuno - ko, Tsuno Town, Takaoka District, Kochi Prefecture |
Right in front of Nakashirajari bus stop on the Tsuno Town Community Bus
Why Does Hakuryu Lake Appear Blue? The Mysterious Science Behind the Transparent Waters
The blue glow of Hakuryu Lake is a phenomenon created by the convergence of several natural conditions.
One factor is its remarkably high transparency. The water of Hakuryu Lake has been filtered of impurities as it flows underground from the Shimanto River over many years, resulting in crystal-clear transparency.
Additionally, the lakebed is composed of limestone. When sunlight penetrates the water, it reflects off the whitish rock surface at the bottom and refracts within the water, causing our eyes to perceive blue and emerald green colors.
The water itself isn’t actually blue. It’s a natural optical illusion created by the combination of transparent water with light reflection and refraction.
The lake’s color also changes with weather, season, and time of day. On sunny days, a more vivid blue spreads across the surface, while in the cold winter light, it takes on a mysterious whitish hue. Encountering different expressions with each visit is one of Hakuryu Lake’s greatest charms.
How to Get to Hakuryu Lake: Access from Shikoku Karst and Kochi City
For public transportation access, the Tsuno Town Community Bus runs to the area. Getting off at the Nakashirajari bus stop puts you right at the entrance to Hakuryu Lake.
However, the bus only runs a few times per day at 2-hour intervals and doesn’t operate every day. Therefore, accessing Hakuryu Lake by car or motorcycle is most common.
Here we’ll introduce two routes: one from the popular tourist destination Shikoku Karst, and another from Kochi City.
About 25 Minutes by Car from Shikoku Karst
This route heads south from the eastern end of the Shikoku Karst Skyline Road and follows mountain paths. While the distance is short, the winding mountain roads require careful driving.
About 1 Hour 30 Minutes from Kochi City (via Michi no Eki Fusegasaka)
Take the Susaki-Chuo IC exit from the Kochi Expressway and follow National Routes 197 and 439. Road conditions are relatively stable, but caution is needed as it becomes a mountain road partway through.
Along the route is ”Michi no Eki Fusegasaka,” a convenient rest stop where you can enjoy local specialties and sweets.
Parking: Two Spaces for Visitors Arriving by Car
Hakuryu Lake has two parking areas serving different purposes.
One is a small parking space near the entrance, suitable for motorcycle parking or temporary stops for small vehicles.
The space near the entrance is convenient for motorcycle parking, but during busy times or when visiting with multiple vehicles, the larger parking lot is recommended.
The other is a large parking lot within about a 1-minute walk from Hakuryu Lake’s entrance. This lot is spacious enough for larger vehicles like minivans to park comfortably, and most visitors use this one.
Even if you park in the larger lot, it takes less than a minute to walk to Hakuryu Lake’s entrance. The larger lot is recommended as it’s easier to turn your car around when leaving.
Walking Guide to Hakuryu Lake: Through the Silent Forest from Entrance to Lake
At the entrance to Hakuryu Lake, you’ll be greeted by an eye-catching wooden carved statue of “Yosaku Tanuki”. For first-time visitors, this serves as the landmark for Hakuryu Lake.
Near the statue is a simple information board, and following the path leads to an unmanned reception area. Here, you deposit a 100 yen maintenance fee in a provided box; there is no staff present.
After paying the fee, you can take home a handmade folk craft made from Shimanto River stones as a souvenir.
Beyond the reception, a gentle downward path paved with stones continues. As you walk through the quiet forest surrounded by trees, the lake surface gradually comes into view through the trees, revealing a mystical blue world.
The distance to the lake is only about 150 meters. It’s perfect for a casual stroll with no special equipment needed, though comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Enjoying Hakuryu Lake: The Blue-Tinted Transparent Lake and Quiet Forest Scenery
At Hakuryu Lake, beautiful scenery awaits where an emerald green glowing water surface and surrounding green trees create a harmonious landscape. While the lake isn’t large, this allows visitors to carefully appreciate each view.
Approaching the waterside, you’ll be amazed by the lake’s high transparency. The crystal-clear water, transparent enough to see the bottom, changes color moment by moment with the angle of sunlight and movement of clouds. Blue on sunny days, whitish-green on cloudy days, and milky white reflecting the pale winter light. All of these are natural colors found only here.
Koi swim in the lake, and their figures can be clearly seen in the shallows. Watching colorful fish swim in the glass-vessel-like lake is as beautiful as an aquarium.
The suspension bridge spanning the lake is another highlight. From the bridge, you can look down at the entire lake, observe trees reflected on the water surface, and even see the shapes of stones at the bottom.
Pausing on the bridge to gaze at the lake from the railings, you can watch wind create ripples on the water surface while light accentuates their patterns. When there’s no wind, the entire lake reflects the scenery like a mirror, creating a picture-like scene.
While there are no benches at the lakeside, the walking path is maintained, allowing for a quiet stroll that takes only a few minutes to complete. Viewing the lake from different angles along the path reveals new expressions each time.
The True Beauty of Hakuryu Lake: Treasures Found Only in Undeveloped Places
Hakuryu Lake is an insider’s secret, not a flashily developed tourist destination. However, that’s precisely the lake’s greatest appeal. The blue lake surface created by limestone geology and clear spring water, the forest’s silence, and untouched nature. All of these offer a special landscape rarely experienced in daily life.
This beauty is preserved because local residents carefully manage and continue to protect this precious place. As visitors, we should engage with this location while respecting their efforts.
While lacking glamour or extensive facilities, that’s precisely why such scenery can be found here. Whether seeking photogenic spots or wanting to experience extraordinary beauty, Hakuryu Lake offers an unforgettable experience.
Its proximity to Shikoku Karst makes it easy to visit both destinations together.
If you’re traveling to Ehime or Kochi, be sure to visit this “blue hidden gem.”
