Hidden Wonders | The 'Swan Lake' of Niigata

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Just before the sun peeks out, the dawn casts its soft red glow on the surface of Lake Hyoko. The chirping of ducks floating on the water and the swans' proud trumpeting echoes through the air. Located in Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, this small reservoir has a circumference of about 1,200 meters. It is known as "Swan Lake" because many swans gather here during the winter.

The lake was originally created as an agricultural reservoir to combat a severe drought in 1625. Its name, "Hyoko," is said to have originated from a small pond nearby, which was shaped like a gourd (hyotan).

Swan Migration

Mornings at the lake are lively. Swans take off and fly toward nearby rice fields and rivers in search of food. They flap their magnificent wings and kick the water's surface with their webbed feet to gain speed.

The first flock of swans arrives in early October each year. By late November, during the peak migration period, the number of swans can reach between 5,000 and 6,000. By mid-March of the following year, they head back north.

In November 2024, 9,051 swans were counted, marking the second-largest number ever recorded. As of January 31, 2025, 5,411 swans had been observed.

The Swan Uncle

During swan season, 75-year-old Isao Saito feeds the birds three times a day. He is affectionately known as the "Swan Uncle."

When he appears, countless ducks and swans gather at once. As he scatters food and calls out, "Come here, come here," a fierce competition for the food begins, drawing cheers from visitors.

Saito says, "I treat them [swans] with gratitude, as if I'm hosting rare guests who traveled a long way."

The tradition of swan feeding began in 1954 with Shigezaburo Yoshikawa, who successfully introduced artificial feeding for the swans. His son, Shigeo, continued the tradition, and Saito became the third generation to carry it on.

Lake Hyoko was designated as a Natural Monument of Japan in 1954. In 2008, it was registered under the Ramsar Convention.

Shinji Watanabe, a member of the management office in charge of the lake, explains, "The swans are wild birds. We ask visitors to observe them while following proper etiquette, such as not entering restricted areas and only feeding them designated food."

To protect the lake and surrounding areas, community-wide efforts are underway. Local elementary school students, for example, participate in a "Swan Patrol Team."

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Author: Yasushi Kawamura, The Sankei Shimbun

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