Embrace a Nature Escape to Lake Miyagase

Just two to three hours from the skyscrapers and crowds of Tokyo is an oasis of calm and nature: Lake Miyagase. This stunning, man-made reservoir is a lake within the Aiko District of Kanagawa, Japan, offering a welcome escape from the to-and-fro of everyday life between Sagamihara and Atsugi. 

With views over the sparkling blue surface of the lake, sweeping across to the eye-catching Miyagase Dam—providing drinking water for Yokohama and Tokyo—and surrounded by the Tanzawa Mountains, discover the perfect itinerary for unwinding with friends and family or enjoying me-time moments.

Summary of Itinerary:

• Lake Miyagase, a beautiful man-made lake in Kanagawa

• Mizunosato Suspension Bridge, giving you 360-degree views of this scenic spot

• Miyagase Yamanami Center, a welcoming space to rest, shower, eat, and more

• Sightseeing Boat Miyamaru, taking you across the surface of the lake

Travel to first spot (Hon-Atsugi Station → Lake Miyagase)

• Car: 45 minutes

• Bus: 46 minutes (+12-minute walk)  

Getting to Hon-Atsugi Station from Tokyo is simple—hop on the Rapid-Express train bound for Odawara on the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station and it will take approximately 45 minutes, costing ¥520. At Hon-Atsugi Station, head to the Honatsugi Bus Stop for the bus towards Miyagase (宮ヶ瀬行). It is a local bus with a potential of 39 stops, costing around ¥780.

From the bus stop in Miyagase, it is a 10 to 15-minute walk down to Lake Miyagase and its surrounding greenery.

Spend the day at Lake Miyagase

Lake Miyagase is an artificial lake nestled in the heart of Kanagawa Prefecture, surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and dramatic mountains. Formed by the construction of the Miyagase Dam, the lake is not only a crucial source of water for the region but also one of Kanagawa’s most picturesque destinations—perfect for a relaxing day trip from Tokyo or Yokohama.

The atmosphere at Lake Miyagase is peaceful and rejuvenating. On calm days, the glassy surface of the water reflects the sky and surrounding greenery, offering a sense of serenity. The air is fresh, the sounds are gentle—from birdsong to the distant hum of flowing water—and the views are wide and open, perfect for letting the worries of daily life evaporate.

There are many relaxing ways to spend the day. Begin your visit with a stroll through Miyagase Lakeside Park, which features broad lawns, picnic spots, seasonal flowers, and playgrounds. From there, ride the “Road Train” (a slow sightseeing train shaped like a steam engine) that travels around the lakeside, offering a gentle tour of the area—ideal for children and seniors.

Other activities include cycling, paddle boats, and dam tours at the Miyagase Dam, where scheduled water discharges from the dam provide a thrilling show of natural force and human engineering. The Water and Energy Museum nearby offers interactive exhibits about the region’s hydrology and sustainability efforts, making it both fun and educational.

If you enjoy walking, several light hiking trails extend into the forested areas around the lake, offering panoramic views, waterfalls, and quiet picnic areas. Seasonal events like Christmas tree illuminations or summer water fights at the Yamanami Center add even more reasons to visit throughout the year.

Travel to next spot (Lake Miyagase → Miyagase Yamanami Center)

• Walk: 4 minutes

From where you enter the park surrounding Lake Miyagase, you’ll be able to see the Miyagase Yamanami Center to your left and the Mizunosato Suspension Bridge in the distance. Follow the path to your left, curving around the park, and you’ll reach the center in around four minutes.

Kanagawa Prefectural Miyagase Yamanami Center

The Kanagawa Prefectural Miyagase Yamanami Center is a peaceful and scenic rest stop. This modern, yet welcoming, facility offers travelers a place to relax, refresh, and enjoy the natural beauty of the region, making it a popular spot for both day-trippers and those exploring the wider Tanzawa-Oyama area.

One of the center’s main highlights is its observation lounge, a spacious and air-conditioned room that features large windows overlooking the stunning landscape. From here, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Miyagase, which shimmers with deep blue hues, especially on clear days. 

The lounge is furnished with tables and chairs, making it an ideal spot to take a break, eat a packed lunch, or simply unwind while taking in the tranquil surroundings. Whether you're seeking shelter from the summer heat or a place to warm up during cooler months, the observation lounge provides a comfortable environment all year round.

Moreover, the Yamanami Center isn't static—it vibrates with seasonal and educational events designed to engage both locals and visitors. One example is their Summer Academy Miyagase (サマーアカデミーみやがせ), a summer program offering hands‑on, school‑style learning and fun. A highlight of the summer includes the kid‑friendly water‑gun tournament!

Another highlight of the center is the rooftop observation plaza, accessible directly from the plaza or parking level. Equipped with coin‑operated telescopes and panoramic vistas, this elevated deck offers sweeping views of Lake Miyagase and the surrounding parkland—particularly enchanting on clear days. An elevator even connects the interior facilities to this rooftop vantage point, making it accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities.

As an added bonus, the first floor of the center also offers free showers and changing rooms—a refreshing escape during hot days—giving you even more reasons to stay at Lake Miyagase all day long.

Travel to next spot (Miyagase Yamanami Center → Mizunosato Suspension Bridge)

• Walk: 8 minutes

You should still be able to see the Mizunosato Suspension Bridge from your vantage point at the center. It’s only an eight-minute walk, so let’s get going! Once again, follow the path to the left and walk uphill until you reach the bridge.

Mizunosato Suspension Bridge

Mizunosato Suspension Bridge (水の郷大吊り橋) is a pedestrian-only suspension bridge spanning approximately 315 meters, making it the longest free-to-cross pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. Suspended about 21 meters above the lake, the bridge creates the sensation of walking atop water, offering an exhilarating, yet peaceful, experience.

The bridge elegantly connects the lakeside park to the broader Miyagase Lakeside Area. As you traverse it, you're rewarded with sweeping views across Lake Miyagase, glimpses of the parent water fountain, and even the lakeside boat dock below.

During the Christmas season, the bridge is spectacularly illuminated, complementing surroundings that include a towering natural fir tree dressed in thousands of lights—creating a truly magical, festive ambiance.

Visitors often describe the experience as both breathtaking and charming, with the gentle sway of the bridge and its surrounding scenery being deeply soothing—especially when framed by blue skies and distant hills.

Travel to next spot (Mizunosato Suspension Bridge → Sightseeing Boat Miyamaru)

• Walk: 1 minute

See that beautiful boat on the lake’s surface just below you? That’s the Sightseeing Boat Miyamaru. You can catch it from the pier below and take to the lake’s sparkling surface, only a one-minute walk from the views of the suspension bridge. From this boarding point, you could take a one-way journey or round trip to the Miyagase Dam, or hop on the Sightseeing Course for a 30-minute cruise around Lake Miyagase.

Learn about the Dam: If you take the cruise to the Dam, it’s also next to the Miyagase Dam Water Museum, allowing you to dive deeper into the history of the impressive dam itself. 

Sightseeing Boat Miyamaru

The Sightseeing Boat Miyamaru (遊覧船「ミーヤ丸」) is a picturesque pleasure boat offering scenic cruises across Lake Miyagase. It’s an ideal way to enjoy the natural vistas of the lake from the water’s surface while bridging the three zones: the lakeside park (Miyagase), the dam site, and Toriibara.

Cruising aboard Miyamaru offers breathtaking lakeside panoramas—from emerald waters to forested shorelines and the mighty dam. With its accessible boarding and multilingual signage (including English), the boat is a relaxing, family‑friendly way to immerse yourself in the Miyagase scenery.

Operating Schedule:

Miyamaru operates only on weekends and holidays.

• April 1 – November 30: 9:50am–4:25pm

• Winter (December 1 – March 31):10am–3:30pm. 

Boarding Platforms:

• Miyagase Lakeside area: Under the Suspension Bridge. Directions.

• Dam site/Aikawa Park area: In front of the Water and Energy Museum. Directions.

• Toriibara area: Underground Toriibara Park. Directions.

Fares & Routes:

• Miyagase ↔ Dam Site

  • Round Trip: ¥1,000 for adults | ¥500 for children

  • One Way: ¥600 for adults | ¥300 for children | Toddlers (preschool to age 4) ¥100 per trip

• Dam Site → Toriibara → Miyagase

  • One Way (only): ¥600 for adults | ¥300 for children | Toddlers (preschool to age 4) ¥100 per trip

• Toriibara ↔ Miyagase

  • Round Trip: ¥600 for adults | ¥300 for children

  • One Way: ¥400 for adults | ¥200 for children | Toddlers (preschool to age 4) ¥100 per trip

• Sightseeing Course: A 30-minute round-trip cruise from the Miyagase boarding area, priced at ¥1,500 for adults | ¥600 for children | Toddlers (preschool to age 4) ¥100 per trip

Travel to next spot (Sightseeing Boat Miyamaru → Hon-Atsugi Station)

If you caught the Sightseeing Boat Miyamaru from the Miyagase Dam Ferry Boarding Pier, you can catch the bus back to Hon-Atsugi Station from the Lake Miyagase & Junior High School bus stop (宮ヶ瀬小・中学校前). It’s just a seven-minute walk from where you depart the boat, and then the bus will take about 50 minutes, costing ¥780.

Alternative route: Cruise ship Miya-maru Dam → Hon-Atsugi Station

To head back to Hon-Atsugi Station from the dam’s pier (if you took the one-way trip), you can drive for 35 minutes along the 国道412号. Alternatively, you can walk for 30 minutes from the pier to the Aikawa Bridge bus stop and catch the bus heading towards the Hon-Atsugi Bus Center (厚木バスセンター行), taking 43 minutes and costing around ¥680.

Alternative route: Cruise ship Miya-maru Toriibara Pier → Hon-Atsugi Station

If you decide to just get the one-way cruise to the “Cruise ship Miya-maru Toriibara Pier,” you’ll need to walk about 40 minutes from the pier to the original Miyagase bus stop (宮ヶ瀬). From here, catch the bus heading towards Hon-Atsugi Station (本厚木駅行). It will take about 52 minutes and cost around ¥810.

Note: These buses only come once per hour—usually on the hour—so make sure to plan your travel around the bus times.

Relax in the bountiful nature of Lake Miyagase

Whether you want to read by the water, explore nature, or enjoy family activities and events, Lake Miyagase promises a refreshing and memorable escape. Only two hours from the glitz and glam of Tokyo, experience a detox of body and mind that only the mountains and lakes of Kanagawa can provide.