Hello! I’m SacChi, a blogger exploring Shikoku’s hidden natural wonders.
Today I’m taking you on a mountain drive to discover Hakuryuko (白龍湖 / White Dragon Lake)—a secret blue lake in Tsuno Town, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku—and the enchanting wildflowers that surround it.
日本語の記事はコチラ👉【高知・津野町】青く輝く秘境「白龍湖」｜幻想的な湖と秋の山野草を巡る | 診断士SacChiの恋する高知LIFE
💙 Hakuryuko | Kochi’s Azure Jewel Hidden in Tsuno Town Mountains
Hakuryuko (White Dragon Lake) is a small lake tucked into Yoshiuno, Takaoka District, Tsuno Town, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku. This mystical blue gem owes its otherworldly color to:
- Limestone geology
- Natural spring water
- Sunlight refraction
Social media calls it “the lake not on maps” and “Japan’s Monet’s Pond.” Even on my visit, tourists from across Japan (and beyond) were making the pilgrimage.
🌊 The Color-Shifting Waters
The lake surface transforms from emerald green to cobalt blue depending on conditions. Locals say mornings offer the most beautiful light.
What you’ll see:
- Wooden walkways and small bridges circling the lake
- Colorful koi swimming lazily beneath the surface
- Contrast between vivid fish and mystical water
- If you look closely: amago salmon and ugui minnows darting through the depths
Disclaimer: My visit was overcast, so photos don’t capture the full brilliance. On clear days, this place is absolutely surreal. If you’re traveling through Tsuno on a sunny day, don’t miss it!
🌿 Autumn Wildflowers Along Hakuryuko’s Shores
Walking the quiet lakeshore trail, I discovered mountain wildflowers blooming quietly at my feet and along forest edges. Here are four that left the strongest impression:
🌸 Toad Lily (Hototogisu / ホトトギス)
The purple-spotted beauty that looks like a tiny squid (yes, I always think this—sorry, flower! 😅)
- Scientific name: Tricyrtis hirta
- Family: Liliaceae
- Features: Perennial with distinctive purple spots. The flower pattern resembles the breast markings of the Japanese lesser cuckoo (hototogisu bird), inspiring its name. Blooms in autumn along forest edges and moist slopes. The cultivar “Matsukaze” is prized for intensely colored petals with beautiful spotting.
🌺 Cranesbill (Gen-no-shōko / 現の証拠)
I introduced this flower in my Mt. Ishizuchi report too! Along Hakuryuko’s walking paths, the adorably curled seed pods made me stop and stare. (Left photo: flower, Right photo: seeds)
👉 See Mt. Ishizuchi Part 2: Autumn Foliage Hiking Report: Mt. Ishizuchi, Western Japan’s Highest Peak (Part 2: Tiny Lives Along the Trail) | SacChi’s Love Affair with Kochi
- Scientific name: Geranium thunbergii
- Family: Geraniaceae
- Features: After flowering, the fruits develop into long structures with curled tips resembling portable shrine roofs—earning the nickname “Mikoshigusa” (神輿草 / Shrine Grass). When ripe, seeds explosively disperse through a spring mechanism.
🤍 Angelica (Shirane-senkyū / 白根川芎)
Often found near mountain streams—each tiny flower cluster looks like delicate lace!
- Scientific name: Angelica polymorpha
- Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
- Features: Perennial producing umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers. Hollow, upright stems reach 80-150cm. Leaves are 3-4 times pinnately divided with whitish undersides. Common along moist forest edges and stream banks in mountainous areas. Blooms through autumn. Roots have traditional medicinal uses.
🔴 Japanese Knotweed (Mizuhiki / 水引)
Tiny red flowers so charming—even more adorable when clustered together!
- Scientific name: Persicaria filiformis
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Features: Perennial with slender flower stalks bearing sparse small red-and-white blooms. The top appears red, the bottom white, resembling decorative mizuhiki cords used on ceremonial envelopes—hence the name. Found along forest edges and semi-shaded roadsides, embodying autumn’s quiet elegance.
🗺️ Access Information for International Travelers
Location: Yoshiuno, Takaoka District, Tsuno Town, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Access | • About 25 minutes by car from the Shikoku Karst • About 1 hour 30 minutes from Kochi City (via Michi-no-Eki Fusegasaka) |
| Landmark | Located behind the “Yosaku Tanuki” statue along Route 439 |
| Parking | Free parking available near the entrance (limited spaces) |
| Admission | ¥100 suggested donation (unmanned collection box) |
| Time Required | Approx. 30–60 minutes (about 6 minutes on foot from parking area) |
| Notes | No restroom available. Some areas have uneven paths—wear comfortable shoes. |
| Google Map | https://maps.app.goo.gl/jVrwr6nJpPtTTLg57 |
🌿 Summary | Tsuno Town’s Secret: Where Nature’s Beauty Reveals Itself
At Hakuryuko in Tsuno Town, Kochi, it’s not just the lake’s azure brilliance—it’s the harmony between water, fish, and wildflowers creating a complete natural ecosystem.
This autumn, why not take a scenic drive through Tsuno’s mountain roads? 🌿💙
Why I share these hidden places: As a business consultant who moved to rural Shikoku, I believe nature access shouldn’t require fame. Places like Hakuryuko—unmarked, donation-based, community-maintained—represent sustainable tourism models where visitors contribute without commercialization. Every ¥100 donation supports trail maintenance. Every careful step preserves wildflower habitats. This is how we keep secrets beautiful without keeping them secret. 🌿
コメント