Half an hour on the train from Hakodate is Lake Onuma, a beautifully scenic lake overlooked by Mount Komagatake. In winter, the lake freezes over and the whole area is deeply blanketed in snow, creating a memorably tranquil atmosphere. During these few months, it's also possible to venture out onto the lake in skis, showshoes or ice-buggies, or to fish through holes in the ice.
- 1 min read
Winter at Lake Onuma
Take in the stillness of the snow-draped landscape

By Peter Sidell
Community writer

The local swans don't have much of the lake to swim on

A small shrine, with a sturdy roof

This is the scene that greeted me outside Onuma Koen Station

Maybe a path, maybe a stream

The front of the station, also with a sturdy roof (I hope)

I passed by a few small ponds like this one as I walked to the lake

The only sound was me tramping along the paths through the trees

A few people were out skiing on the lake

Lake Onuma and Mount Komagatake

Santa would feel at home here

The local birdlife leaves tracks in the fresh snow

I got dripped on more than once by water melting off icicles in the trees
Leave a comment
0 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
I’m Donut?: Japan’s Viral Donut Sensation
Culture -
2
Ushikoi: Lean Meat Yakiniku Specialist
Tokyo -
3
70 Nations, One Amazing Meal
Osaka - Sponsored -
4
Kyushu Craftsmanship and Traditions Heritage Tour
Article -
5
Pokémon Center Fukuoka Reopens This June
Fukuoka -
6
Tokyo Ranks 12th on Vegan-friendly Cities List
Food -
7
Sado Island Kodo Earth Celebration 2025: Music, Traditions, Taste Tour
Niigata -
8
Sakai’s Hidden Gem: Konpeito Kingdom and the Art of Candy Making
Osaka -
9
Hokkaido Full Immersion Tour
Hokkaido -
10
Kamenoi Hotel Atami
Shizuoka - Sponsored
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
3
Sanja Matsuri
Tokyo -
4
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
5
May Grand Sumo Tournament (Tokyo)
Tokyo -
6
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
7
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
8
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
9
Kanda Matsuri
Tokyo -
10
Black Eggs of Owakudani, Hakone
Kanagawa