Drive west from central Yonezawa into the mountains, through rice fields and small villages, and a long, narrow lake surrounded by mountains appears before you: this is Shirakawa Lake in Iide, Yamagata Prefecture.
Shirakawa Lake is a reservoir formed by the Shirakawa Dam, and many people know it for its spring “submerged forest” (suibotsurin), but when the mixed woodland around the shore turns red, orange and yellow in autumn, it is just as worth a special trip.
On a fine day, the distant Iide mountain range may already have had its first snow, and the white peaks and the red leaves at their feet are reflected together on the water, a quintessential mountain-lake autumn scene of southern Tohoku.
The questions people ask most when planning are: when are the autumn leaves at Shirakawa Lake at their best? Can you still see the submerged forest in autumn? How do you get there now that the Yonesaka Line is suspended? And what roadworks should you watch out for if you drive yourself?
This article draws on information published by the Japan Weather Association’s tenki.jp, the Iide Town Tourism Association, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Mogami River Dams Integrated Management Office and Yamagata Prefecture’s road information to explain the viewing season, the must-see spots, access and itineraries all in one place.
If you are looking for an uncrowded autumn-leaf spot with lake views in the Okitama area of southern Yamagata, you can use the itinerary suggestions at the end as they are.
Where Is Shirakawa Lake? Getting to Know the Shirakawa Dam Lake at the Foot of Mt Iide
Shirakawa Lake is in Iide Town, Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture, and is an artificial lake formed by the Shirakawa Dam on the Okitama-Shirakawa River in the Mogami River system.
Iide Town is in the Okitama area of southern Yamagata, and looking south-west from the town you see the Iide mountain range, which straddles the three prefectures of Yamagata, Niigata and Fukushima.
tenki.jp gives the address of the autumn-leaf spot around Shirakawa Lake as the Nakatsugawa district of Iide Town, and on the shore are the Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park and the Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso, which is where most visitors park and take a break.
The Story of the Shirakawa Dam
According to the Shirakawa Dam overview from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Mogami River Dams Integrated Management Office, the dam was completed in 1981 (Showa 56) after more than ten years of work, with the cooperation of 139 households.
The Okitama-Shirakawa River is usually calm, but major floods can cause great damage, and the Uetsu heavy rains of 1967 (Showa 42) brought unprecedented flooding to the Shirakawa and the upper reaches of the Mogami River.
On the other hand, the area also often suffers from water shortages in summer, so the Shirakawa Dam plays a role in both flood control and water supply.
How Big Is the Lake?
According to the structure and specifications of the Shirakawa Dam, it is a central-core rockfill dam 66 metres high, with a reservoir surface area of about 2.7 square kilometres and a reservoir length of about 9.0 kilometres.
In other words, Shirakawa Lake is a long, narrow valley lake, and as you drive or walk along the shore, you keep seeing the slopes and the water from different angles.
The lake is surrounded mainly by broadleaf woodland, with no large shopping streets or tourist facilities, and it keeps a very quiet mountain-village atmosphere.
When Are the Autumn Leaves at Shirakawa Lake at Their Best? Timing Your 2026 Visit
Different sources give slightly different autumn-leaf timings for Shirakawa Lake, so let us first look at them side by side.
The Japan Weather Association’s tenki.jp page for the autumn leaves around Shirakawa Lake gives the usual peak as late October to late November, and its 2026 forecast peak is also late October to late November.
The autumn-leaf website Walkerplus, on the other hand, says the leaves usually start to turn in mid-October, with the peak from mid-October to late October, a little earlier than tenki.jp.
The two overlap in late October, and stretching a little later to take in the tenki.jp range, we recommend planning your Shirakawa Lake visit for late October to early November.
The 2026 Forecast
The autumn-leaf peak forecast published by the Japan Weather Association on 1 October 2026 says that the peak in northern Japan will be roughly the same as in an average year.
The same forecast also says that temperatures may be higher than average from November onwards, and in some places in southern Tohoku the peak will be later than usual.
Shirakawa Lake is right in southern Tohoku, so if your schedule is flexible, you can lean your dates towards early November.
The Japan Weather Association plans to update the forecast on tenki.jp three or four times in total up to November, so it is safest to check the latest conditions again a week before you set off.
What Colours Will You See?
tenki.jp lists the autumn-leaf trees as maples, Japanese maples, oaks and sumacs, and Walkerplus also mentions konara oak and beech, so overall it is a mixed-woodland scene of red and yellow interwoven.
The difference between day and night temperatures is large here, so the leaves turn a deeper colour, and the reflections on the lake are especially beautiful on sunny days.
If you happen upon the first snow on Mt Iide, the white summit, the red and yellow slopes and the reflections on the lake come together in a single picture, the autumn scene at Shirakawa Lake that photographers look forward to most.
However, the timing of the first snow differs every year and cannot be built into your plans in advance, so if you see it, treat it as an extra bonus.
Must-See Autumn-Leaf Spots: Nakatsugawa Bridge, Genryu no Mori Observatory, Jushigo Bridge and the Lakeside Park
Shirakawa Lake has no paid park area and no set autumn-leaf trail, so the way to see the leaves is to follow the lakeshore road and stop at a few spots with good views to take your time.
The viewpoints recommended by Walkerplus are Nakatsugawa Bridge, Genryu no Mori Observatory and Jushigo Bridge, and together with the lakeside park area, these are the four places most visitors go.
Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park
Right next to the lakeside park is the Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso, and it is also the busiest place during the spring submerged-forest season, with a car park, public toilets and a canoe launching slope.
In autumn it is much quieter than in spring, and you can look out over the water from the lakeside lawn, with the turning woods close by and the rolling ridgelines in the distance.
If it is your first visit, we suggest parking here first, getting your bearings, and then deciding whether to move on to the other viewpoints.
Nakatsugawa Bridge
Nakatsugawa Bridge is a bridge on Prefectural Route 4, which Yamagata Prefecture’s notice places in the Oaza Kosaka district of Iide Town; it is also the first viewpoint on the Walkerplus list, and from the bridge you can see the autumn leaves on both sides of the river valley.
Note in particular that in autumn 2026 the bridge is undergoing repair work, with full closures during weekday daytime hours; see the access section below for the exact times.
If you want to see the autumn leaves from Nakatsugawa Bridge, we suggest scheduling this stretch for a weekend or public holiday, or avoiding the closure times.
Genryu no Mori Observatory
Genryu no Mori Observatory is another viewpoint on the Walkerplus list, from which you can look out over the woods and the water from a higher position.
Compared with the eye-level view from the shore, looking down from above gives you a better sense of the layers of colour across the whole hillside.
We could not find reliable information on the walking distance, opening hours or winter closure dates for the observatory, so please check with the Iide Town Tourism Association before you go.
Jushigo Bridge
Jushigo Bridge is another viewpoint on the Walkerplus list, and from the bridge you can see both the water and the woods on either bank.
When stopping on the bridge to take photos, watch out for passing traffic, and do not park on the bridge or on narrow verges.
Photography Tips
If you want to photograph reflections on the lake, calm mornings usually give you the best chance, as the water tends to ripple once the wind picks up in the afternoon.
The weather in the mountains changes quickly: colours are rich on sunny days, while cloudy days suit shots of mist and the layers of the woods, and both have their own charm.
There is no night illumination around Shirakawa Lake, and tenki.jp’s night viewing and events fields both show no information, so plan to see the leaves in the daytime.
Can You See the Submerged Forest in Autumn? How Shirakawa Lake Differs Between Spring and Autumn
Many of the photos of Shirakawa Lake you see online show the “submerged forest”, with willow trees growing up out of the water one after another, but that scene is only seen in spring.
The Iide Town Tourism Association’s introduction to the Shirakawa Lake submerged forest explains that it appears for about two months in spring when snowmelt fills the lake, that is, from late March to mid-May.
Late March to mid-April is called the “white submerged forest”, mid-April to mid-May is the “green submerged forest” when new buds appear, and by late May, rice-planting time, the water level drops.
So if you come to Shirakawa Lake in autumn, what you will see is the autumn leaves on the shore and the hillsides rather than trees in the water, and it is best to adjust your expectations first.
Spring Illuminations and Parking Charges Are Only in the Submerged-Forest Season
There are illuminations at weekends during the submerged-forest season, and the 2026 illuminations ended on 17 May; there is no similar event in autumn.
The Iide Town Tourism Association’s parking information states that charges apply only in spring, with the next charging period scheduled for 17 April to 16 May 2027, at 1,000 yen per car per visit.
Parking rules in autumn follow the notices on site, and we could not find official autumn information on the number of parking spaces, so we do not give a figure here.
If You Want to Go Canoeing
Shirakawa Lake is designated as an area where only licensed operators may run activities on the shore and on the water, and during the submerged-forest season the Iide Canoe Club runs guided canoe tours.
If you bring your own canoe, you must first submit an application to use the lake and pay an environmental conservation contribution of 1,000 yen per person per day, and launching is limited to the area near the slope behind the Shirakawaso.
Please check directly with the operator whether there are guided tours in autumn, and the meeting points and times; this article does not give autumn tour prices or schedules.
Opening Hours, Fees and Facilities
Shirakawa Lake is an open lakeside area that needs no admission ticket, and tenki.jp lists it as open all year, 24 hours a day, with no closing days, free of charge.
There are few facilities on site: tenki.jp’s information lists a car park and toilets but no shop, so it is best to sort out meals and shopping before you set off or on the way back.
| Item | Details (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Around Shirakawa Lake, Iide Town, Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Autumn-leaf season | tenki.jp usual: late October to late November; recommended: late October to early November |
| Opening hours | Open all year, 24 hours (tenki.jp) |
| Fee | Free |
| Parking | Car park available; charges only during the spring submerged-forest season |
| Toilets | Yes (public toilets near the canoe launch in the lakeside park) |
| Night illumination | None in autumn |
| Enquiries | Iide Town Tourism Association 0238-86-2411 |
The Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso by the lake is right next to the lakeside park and is one of the few places nearby where you can take a break; please check opening hours and day-bathing arrangements directly with the Shirakawaso.
The weather in the mountains changes quickly, and even if it is sunny during the day, mornings and evenings can be very cold, so bring a warm jacket and windproof clothing.
Bears are known to appear in the forests here, so when walking, stay on roads with people and cars about as far as possible, and do not go deep into the woods alone.
Getting to Shirakawa Lake: Train, Taxi and Driving
There is no direct route bus to Shirakawa Lake; the usual way is to take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Akayu Station or Yonezawa Station and then take a taxi or drive into the mountains.
By Train: Part of the Yonesaka Line Is Still Served by Replacement Buses
The nearest stations to Shirakawa Lake are Tenoko Station and Uzen-Tsubaki Station on the JR Yonesaka Line, but part of the Yonesaka Line has still not reopened since the heavy rains of August 2022 (Reiwa 4).
The Iide Town Tourism Association’s submerged-forest page also notes that part of the Yonesaka Line is served by replacement buses and that there are no taxis waiting near the stations, so you need to book one in advance.
Replacement buses are very infrequent, so if you plan to go as far as Tenoko Station and then take a taxi, check the replacement bus times on the JR East timetable first and book your taxi.
Taxi or Car from the Station
The Iide Town Tourism Association gives the drive as about 40 minutes from Akayu Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen and about 20 minutes from Tenoko Station on the JR Yonesaka Line.
Shinkansen trains stop at Akayu Station, so you can take the Yamagata Shinkansen straight here from Tokyo and then hire a car or arrange a transfer into the mountains, which is the more practical way to go.
You can also start from Yonezawa Station, but first check which road to take; the roadworks and narrow stretches are explained below.
By Car: We Recommend Route 113 and Then Prefectural Route 4
tenki.jp gives the expressway interchange as Yonezawa-Kita IC on the Tohoku-Chuo Expressway, while Walkerplus uses Nanyo-Takahata IC as the starting point.
The route recommended by the Iide Town Tourism Association is to turn off National Route 113 onto Prefectural Route 4, and it warns that the route over Sugenuma Pass is narrow, so drive with particular care.
Mountain roads have many bends, and it gets dark early on autumn evenings, so try to leave the lake area before dark.
Autumn 2026 Alert: Repair Work on Nakatsugawa Bridge on Prefectural Route 4
Yamagata Prefecture’s traffic restriction information lists bridge repair work on Nakatsugawa Bridge on Prefectural Route 4 (the Yonezawa-Iide main local road) in the Oaza Kosaka district of Iide Town.
From 13 October to 11 December 2026, the road is fully closed on weekdays from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00, and at other times there is alternating one-way traffic all day.
The detour listed by the prefecture is National Route 113 and other roads; this overlaps exactly with the Shirakawa Lake autumn-leaf season, so anyone planning to drive onto Nakatsugawa Bridge to see the leaves on a weekday, or to use this stretch of the prefectural road to and from Yonezawa, must take note.
The same prefectural road has other sections of alternating one-way traffic for roadworks within Iide Town, so open the prefecture’s traffic restriction page again before you set off to check the latest situation.
Private Transfers
Public transport to Shirakawa Lake is inconvenient, and with the roadworks and mountain roads too, arranging a transfer from Akayu Station or Yonezawa Station makes things much easier if you are travelling with older relatives or children or have a lot of luggage.
A private car also makes it easier to link Shirakawa Lake with other autumn-leaf spots in the Okitama area on the same day, without having to fit around the infrequent replacement buses.
Suggested Time and Itineraries
If you only walk and take photos around the lakeside park, about an hour is enough; if you also want to drive to Nakatsugawa Bridge, Genryu no Mori Observatory and Jushigo Bridge, we suggest allowing half a day.
Shirakawa Lake is not far from central Yonezawa, so it fits well into the same autumn trip around the Okitama area as Yonezawa or Tengendai Kogen.
| Time | Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Leave Akayu Station or Yonezawa Station and drive to Shirakawa Lake | Check the Route 4 roadworks times |
| Late morning | Walk in the Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park and photograph the reflections | Reflections are clearer on calm mornings |
| Midday | Return to Iide Town or central Yonezawa for lunch | No shops by the lake |
| Afternoon | Follow the shore to Nakatsugawa Bridge, Genryu no Mori Observatory and Jushigo Bridge | Watch for the weekday closure times on Nakatsugawa Bridge |
| Evening | Leave the lake area before dark and stay in Yonezawa or Akayu Onsen | Mountain roads are hard to drive after dark |
Days are shorter in autumn than in summer, and the light fades quickly in the mountains towards evening, so it is best to concentrate photography and walks between the morning and the first half of the afternoon.
If you have two days, you can see Shirakawa Lake on the first day and go to Tengendai Kogen or Shirabu Onsen on the other side of Yonezawa on the second, taking in both the lowland and highland autumn leaves of the Okitama area.
For the Tengendai Kogen ropeway and autumn-leaf timing, see our Tengendai Kogen Autumn Leaves Guide.
If you want to head further north, you can also extend your trip to the Mt Gassan area; see the plans in our Jizonuma Autumn Leaves Guide, Yamagata.
Shirakawa Lake Autumn Leaves FAQ
Q1: When are the autumn leaves at Shirakawa Lake at their best?
tenki.jp gives the usual peak as late October to late November and Walkerplus as mid-October to late October, and we recommend going between late October and early November.
The Japan Weather Association forecasts that some places in southern Tohoku will be later than usual, so check the latest conditions on tenki.jp again before you set off.
Q2: Can I still see the submerged forest in autumn?
No: the submerged forest only appears from late March to mid-May, when the lake is full of spring snowmelt, and in autumn the stars are the autumn leaves on the shore and the hillsides.
Q3: Do I need to pay for admission or parking at Shirakawa Lake?
Shirakawa Lake itself is free to visit, and parking charges apply only during the spring submerged-forest season; for parking rules in autumn, go by the notices on site.
Q4: Can I get there by train?
You can take the train to nearby stations, but part of the Yonesaka Line is still served by replacement buses, and there are no taxis waiting at the stations, so you need to book one in advance.
The more practical way is to take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Akayu Station and then drive or arrange a transfer, which takes about 40 minutes.
Q5: Will roadworks affect me if I drive on a weekday?
Nakatsugawa Bridge on Prefectural Route 4 has full closures during weekday daytime hours from 13 October to 11 December 2026, so if you are going to the Nakatsugawa Bridge area, avoid those times or go at the weekend instead.
Q6: Is it suitable for older relatives or children?
The lakeside park area is flat, so if you only walk along the shore, it is not too demanding for older relatives or children.
The bigger concerns are transport and the weather: mornings and evenings in the mountains are much colder than the daytime, so bring an extra jacket, and leave the driving to a driver who knows the roads or arrange a transfer.
Conclusion: A Quiet Autumn-Leaf Lake at the Foot of Mt Iide
The appeal of Shirakawa Lake is that it is far from the crowds, and its autumn scenery of water, mixed woodland and the Iide range is very pure; the bustle of the spring submerged forest gives way to a different kind of quiet in autumn.
Remember three things when planning: the recommended viewing period is late October to early November, you cannot see the submerged forest in autumn, and Nakatsugawa Bridge on Prefectural Route 4 has closures during weekday daytime hours.
With these points sorted, Shirakawa Lake fits nicely into an autumn trip around southern Yamagata as a little lakeside excursion beyond Yonezawa.
Further Reading
- Tengendai Kogen Autumn Leaves Guide, Yamagata: Peak Season, Ropeway Operating Dates, Shirabu Onsen and Access
- Jizonuma Autumn Leaves Guide, Yamagata: Peak Season, Gassan Beech Forest, Shizu Onsen and Access
- Mogami Gorge Autumn Leaves Guide, Yamagata: Peak Season, Mogami River Boat Ride and Access
- Ginzan Onsen Autumn Leaves Guide: Viewing Season, Shirogane Falls, Night Views and Access
There is no direct public transport to Shirakawa Lake, and the Yonesaka Line has a section served by replacement buses, so when you are travelling with older relatives or children, have lots of luggage, or want to link Shirakawa Lake and spots around Yonezawa in one day, getting around is often the most demanding part.
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