<p>The local swans don't have much of the lake to swim on</p>

The local swans don't have much of the lake to swim on (Photo: Peter Sidell)

Winter at Lake Onuma

Take in the stillness of the snow-draped landscape

Peter Sidell Oct 05, 2012 - ใช้เวลาอ่าน 1 นาที

<p>The local swans don't have much of the lake to swim on</p>

<p>A small shrine, with a sturdy roof</p>

<p>This is the scene that greeted me outside Onuma Koen Station</p>

<p>Maybe a path, maybe a stream</p>

<p>The front of the station, also with a sturdy roof (I hope)</p>

<p>I passed by a few small ponds like this one as I walked to the lake</p>

<p>The only sound was me tramping along the paths through the trees</p>

<p>A few people were out skiing on the lake</p>

<p>Lake Onuma and Mount Komagatake</p>

<p>Santa would feel at home here</p>

<p>The local birdlife leaves tracks in the fresh snow</p>

<p>I got dripped on more than once by water melting off icicles in the trees</p>

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.

Peter Sidell

Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.