Shirakumo Pond
nature
Shirakumo Pond
白雲の池
Overview
The name Shirakumo, which can be translated as “white cloud,” is likely a reference to the way the pond reflects the sky on a clear day.
Built around 400 years ago to store water for farmland, Shirakumo Pond in Unzen takes its name from the way it mirrors the sky on clear days. The shoreline once served religious ceremonies, and a stone washbasin and sacred cypress trees still mark those origins. Today the pond is ringed by a campground with tent sites, bungalows, boat rentals, and cooking facilities. Swimming is prohibited to protect the resident carp. The surrounding forest is habitat for narcissus flycatchers and Japanese pygmy woodpeckers. From the nearby trailhead, Mt. Kinugasa is an accessible hike with views over Unzen Onsen Town and Tachibana Bay.
Practical info
- Japanese name
- 白雲の池
- Nearest station
- Kumamoto Station (40 min drive)
- Reservations
- not required
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