Kagami-ike Pond
鏡池
A highland pond on the Togakushi plateau that mirrors the jagged ridges of the Togakushi mountains. Its reflections of autumn foliage make it Nagano's signature landscape photo.
Kagami-ike lies on the Togakushi Highlands at about 1,200 metres above sea level. On calm mornings its surface is like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the craggy cliffs of the Togakushi mountains. The fresh green and autumn-foliage seasons draw many photographers. A path circles the pond, with a small café along it. The pond can be combined with the Okusha (Inner Shrine) of Togakushi Shrine and the Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden for a half-day hike. It is about a 1-hour walk from the Okusha trailhead, or about 10 minutes by taxi or car from Togakushi Chūsha (Middle Shrine). Parking lots fill early on autumn weekends. The road to Kagami-ike is closed in winter, roughly from December to April.
Opening hours
All day (winter road closure)
Nearby sights
- Togakushi Shrine
- Zenkō-ji
- Nagano Prefectural Art Museum
- Lake Nojiri
- Myoko Kogen (Akakura Onsen Ski Area)
- Kawanakajima Battlefield (Hachimanbara Park)
- Matsushiro Castle & Sanada Treasure Museum
- Obasute Rice Terraces