Lake Hyoko (Swan Lake)
Open by month
Open in January. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in February. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in March. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in April. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in May. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in June. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in July. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in August. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in September. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in October. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in November — at its best. Swans from early October to March, peaking in late November.
Open in December. No seasonal closure recorded.
Checked against the official site on 2026-10-15.
One of Japan's leading swan wintering sites and a Ramsar-listed wetland. Swans arrive in early October and stay until March, and at the peak in late November about 5,000 birds cover the lake.
National Natural Monument; Ramsar Convention wetland
Nearby
- Northern Culture Museum (Ito Family Residence) ≈ 25 min by car
- Tsukioka Onsen ≈ 25 min by car
- Shimizuen Garden ≈ 40 min by car
- Shibata Castle ≈ 40 min by car
- Pia Bandai Market ≈ 45 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Best time
- November — Swans from early October to March, peaking in late November
- Getting there
- 30 min walk or 5 min by taxi from Suibara Sta. (JR Uetsu Line)
- Good to know
- During the season, feeding every day at 9:00, 11:00 and 15:00. Swans fly out to the rice fields by day, so early morning or evening is best
- Time needed
- 1 h
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-15. Report outdated info