Oike Pond and Shiramizukosen Walking Trail and Drive

Enjoy a walk through a primeval forest and drink natural spring water

Take in beautiful nature, waterfalls and natural springs on a walk through old-growth forest. The path from the Oike Pond parking lot to Oike Pond is almost flat, making this an easy stroll. The forest has sawtooth oak, Japanese beech and maple trees. Some of the larger trees are over 300 years old. Oike Pond is fed by a spring, and you can drink the spring water that flows here. After you leave the pond, follow the riverside path to the refreshing Meisui-no-Taki Falls.

Follow the path to return to Oike Pond parking lot. From there, drive a short distance to Shiramizukosen, where you can taste a very rare type of naturally carbonated spring water.

Highlights

The clear waters of Oike Pond

Oike Pond

Every day about 20,000 tons of water well up from springs into Oike Pond, which stays at a year-round temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius. It is ranked one of Japan's top 100 spring waters for its light taste. You are welcome to fill up a water bottle to take some home with you.

A 300-year-old tree growing around a boulder

An old-growth forest with giant Japanese beech trees

Japanese beech and other broad-leaved trees thrive on this path along the slopes of Mount Kurodake (1,587 m). New buds in spring, lush vegetation in summer and the varied colors of fall foliage provide spectacular scenery throughout the seasons. Be careful of the thick roots of the giant Japanese beeches that spread across the forest floor.

Sparkling spring water

The carbonated waters of Shiramizukosen

Pure, naturally carbonated water flows from Shiramizukosen Spring. This type of sparkling mineral water is rare in Japan, and it leaves a clean aftertaste unexpected from a natural spring. Adding a little sweetener gives the water a flavor similar to soda. Try mixing it with whisky or using it to brew coffee or green tea.

Route Map

Oike Pond and Shiramizukosen Walking Trail

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