In Yusa Town, Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture, rich in nature, there is a pond so beautiful that it takes your breath away. It is called “Maruike-sama.”
Walking a little through the forest, the emerald green surface of the water suddenly appears before your eyes. In the crystal-clear water, fallen trees lie quietly, and a somewhat mystical atmosphere lingers. Although this is a tourist spot, it has been a sacred place cherished by the local people for a long time. The pond itself is enshrined as a sacred object, making it a somewhat special spot.
This time, we will introduce the charm of Maruike-sama, a mystical pond in Yusa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, the reasons it is so photogenic, and why the water turns such a beautiful blue.

What is Maruike-sama?

‘Maruike-sama’ is a mysterious pond that glows emerald green, located in Yusa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, and its water source comes solely from the spring water of Mount Chokai. It is officially called Maruike Shrine, and what is distinctive is that the pond itself is enshrined as the sacred object. Unlike typical shrines where a deity is enshrined inside a building, the transparent pond itself is the object of faith. Its high clarity and the fantastical scenery with fallen trees that do not decay have made it popular as an Instagram-worthy spot.

Is Maruike-sama a shrine? Explaining its position as a sacred object

The official name of Maruike-sama is Maruike Shrine.

Chokaisan Omotoimi Shrine has an off-site subordinate shrine, and the pond itself is worshiped as a sacred object. During the Edo period, it was said that strong winds would blow if someone threw trash into the pond, showing that it has long been carefully protected as a sacred place.

In 2008, it was also designated as a National Historic Site as a historical site of Chokai Mountain faith.

Why it is called ‘Sama’

The name ‘Maruike-sama’ is proof that local people have respected this pond as something special. The pond itself is treated as a god, and there is a deeply rooted awareness that it is not a place to approach lightly.

Even today, ropes are strung around the pond, restricting access, and it is carefully protected as an object of worship.

Receive a Goshuin at Chokaisan Ohmonoimi Shrine

Chokaisan Ohmonoimi Shrine, which has a deep connection with Maruike-sama, is a historic shrine that enshrines Mount Chokai as its sacred body, and the culture of worshiping nature itself continues to be passed down to this day.

Maruike-sama is considered an “off-site subsidiary shrine” of this shrine and is positioned as a sacred place that plays a part in the faith of Mount Chokai.

Additionally, it seems that you can receive the Goshuin of Maruike at Chokaisan Ohmonoimi Shrine, so it is also recommended to stop by there when visiting.

Various legends and traditions are associated with Maruike-sama

There are a few mysterious and memorable legends associated with Maruike. Here, we introduce the mystical tales that are still passed down today.

Legend of the White Serpent

There are also some slightly mysterious (and a bit scary) stories. It is said that a white serpent (shiroi daija) lives in Maruike. This belief is common to waterside areas across Japan, where it is thought that “a large serpent = an incarnation of the water deity” and it exists as a dragon god or guardian spirit. In particular, the “white” symbolizes sacredness and can also be said to express that the pond is a “particularly pure place”.

The Legend of ‘Being Punished for Disturbing the Pond’

There has long been a legend at Maruike-sama that ‘if you disturb the pond, you will be punished.’
This has been passed down as a caution to protect the pond, which has been cherished as a sacred object.

Acts such as throwing stones in or polluting the water are considered disrespectful to the gods and are said to lead to misfortune.
Such legends also carry the meaning of protecting the mystical scenery and the natural environment.

When visiting, it is important to remember that it is a sacred place and to observe quietly.

Faith as the ‘God of Eyes’

Maruike-sama has long been believed to bring benefits for eye diseases. The reason often given is that “the water is so clear,” making it a symbol of “seeing and perceiving.”

From this, a faith associated with eyesight and eye health was born. It seems that people actually come to pray or make wishes here.

It is also said that “during the Former Nine Years’ War, Kamakura Goro Kagemasa had his eye shot by an enemy, and after searching for and defeating that enemy for three days and nights, he washed his eyes in this pond.” Because of this, it is said that the fish living in this pond all have only one eye in respect for Kagemasa of Kamakura.

At present, it is not possible to verify the truth of this, but the very fact that such legends remain further enhances the mystique of Maruike-sama.

Too Mysterious! The Reason Maruike-sama is Emerald Green

Why does the water of Maruike-sama look clear blue or emerald green?
Actually, there are several reasons why Maruike-sama appears blue or emerald green.
In this article, we will explain the charm of Maruike-sama!

1. Because it is groundwater from Mount Chokai

The water of Maruike-sama is “groundwater” that comes from rain and snow that fell on the famous Mount Chokai, which has filtered through the ground over a long period of time and surfaced.
Since it passes through layers of earth that act as a natural filter, the water becomes astonishingly clear.

2. 100% spring water and does not become cloudy

Almost all the water in the pond comes from springs, and fresh water is constantly springing forth.
Furthermore, the water temperature remains stable at around 11°C throughout the year, which has the characteristic of “algae hardly increase” and “water is hard to become cloudy“.

3. Appears blue due to the reflection of light

When light shines into the clear water, the water absorbs red light and only blue light is reflected.
Therefore, the water appears blue or emerald green.

One of Maruike’s charms is that the color changes depending on the light conditions, such as sunny or cloudy weather, or morning and evening!
*The above photos were taken with a smartphone camera without any editing!*

4. Transparency so clear that fallen trees remain without decaying

As you can see from the photos below, it is possible to see the trees submerged in the pond remaining in their original form.

The water is very clear, and you can clearly see the fallen trees in the pond.

This is because the water is very cold, clean, and creates an environment where wood does not easily rot!

The transparency is noticeable even in photos. And the clear blue and emerald green water is so beautiful that when you see it in pictures, you might even suspect the photos have been edited. Until I saw Maruike-sama with my own eyes, I thought, ‘They must be uploading photos with enhanced colors or made to look beautiful…’
However, when I actually went there, the pond was incredibly beautiful just as it appeared in the photos. I was so moved the moment I saw it that I was left speechless.

Maruike-sama is a popular spot for photos!

Maruike is also a popular spot as a “photogenic location” where its beauty makes you want to take a picture without thinking.
The area around the pond is surrounded by trees, giving it the atmosphere of a different world quietly nestled within the forest. The instant the wind calms, the surface of the water becomes perfectly still like a mirror, and a magical scenery unfolds before your eyes.

One feature that particularly draws attention is the sunken fallen tree in the water. Lying quietly in the clear water, it evokes a mysterious beauty as if time itself has stopped. The movement of the water, with bubbles rising from the bottom of the pond, also appears to be one of the unique charms of this place.
*I forgot to check for the moment when the bubbles rose during my shoot. I hope to catch it next time!

Depending on the balance of the surrounding trees and the light filtering through, the color of the pond changes to emerald green or cobalt blue. No matter which moment you capture, you are sure to get the perfect best shot.

Recommended Time for Photography

If you want to take beautiful photos, morning hours or cloudy days are recommended. The soft light accentuates the transparency of the water, allowing the pond’s natural colors to be captured beautifully.

On the other hand, you need to be careful because during times when the sunlight is strong, the water surface tends to reflect more, which can make photos look whitish. It is recommended to check the weather in detail at least until the day before, if possible. Particularly if the weather was rough the day before, such as rain or strong winds, the water may be murky, or fallen leaves may be in the pond. If you are visiting for photography purposes, it is recommended to check the weather forecast in advance.

Taking the time to slowly press the shutter in a quiet space is also a luxurious way to enjoy this place. When you visit, be sure to try capturing your own unique shot.

Why Maruike-sama is said to resemble the world of “Princess Mononoke”

Maruike is a spot that is often talked about on social media and by word of mouth as “just like the world of Princess Mononoke.” The Studio Ghibli work ‘Princess Mononoke’ is a story that depicts the relationship between humans, nature, and the gods, and is characterized by its fantastical forest depiction.

Why it is said to be ‘Ghibli-like’

The reasons Maruike is called ‘the world of Ghibli’ are as follows.

• A tranquil space surrounded by primeval forest
• Transparent emerald green water
• A mysterious scenery where fallen trees sinking in the water remain as they are

These elements overlap, creating an atmosphere that feels like a scene from a movie.

The fantastical atmosphere you feel when visiting in person

When you stand there, there is almost no sound except for the wind and the rippling of the water, enveloping you in an extraordinary quiet. The clarity of the water, which allows you to see the movement coming up from the bottom of the pond, also gives an unreal impression.

The journey to Maruike-sama

Now that we’ve come to understand a bit about Maruike-sama, next I’d like to introduce the route to Maruike-sama! I also want to include a little personal tidbit along the way.

Parking

If you search for ‘Maruike-sama’ from your starting point and use Google Maps or similar apps to head to the destination, you’ll come across the parking lot. For first-time visitors, the parking lot might be a little hard to find, so make sure to check carefully before heading there.

The photo above shows the parking lot as seen from the entrance.

Right in front of the parking lot is the “Minowa Salmon Hatchery” (Minowa Sake Fukajō), so it’s a good landmark to use! *The parking lot was not narrow and was quite spacious, but there was no set number of parking spaces.

There was a sign with a local guide map in the parking lot. Be sure to take a look at it before going to Maruike!

Minowa Salmon Hatchery

When you arrive at the parking lot, there is the Minowa salmon hatchery.
The Minowa Salmon Hatchery is a facility for raising salmon eggs and releasing the juvenile fish (fry) into rivers. Depending on the season, you can observe salmon being caught or the hatchery operations, so it is recommended to visit Maruike Pond in accordance with the salmon hatching schedule!

*Please check the schedule and other details through the link to the Minowa Salmon Hatchery!
Here is the official website of the Minowa Salmon Hatchery.

Ushiwatari River

Right next to the Minowa Salmon Hatchery, there is the Ushiwatari River.

Ushiwatari River is a clear stream made up of 100% spring water from Mount Chokai.

Characteristics of Ushiwatari River

• Spring water (groundwater) from Mount Chokai wells up
• The water temperature is almost constant throughout the year and very clear
• The flow is gentle and the transparency is high

Proceed along the Ushiwatari River.

Along the road like in the photo above, there is something installed by the Minowa Salmon Hatchery, and we pass by it.

After going a little further, a small bridge appears this time!

On the side of the bridge, there is a salmon mark with “Maruike-sama” written on it, so please use the salmon mark as a landmark to proceed.

Here, I would like to personally introduce a recommended photo spot!!
Look at the river immediately to the right after crossing the bridge.

The photo above shows the river on the right-hand side.

You can see that the river water is clear. The sunlight reflects off the water, and you can see the sparkling flow on the surface!
This time, I focused on taking pictures of the water surface, but by taking photos together with the surrounding trees, you can undoubtedly capture photos that feel richer in the abundance of nature, so please try to take a wonderful shot!

Maruike-sama

Once you cross the bridge, Maruike-sama is right in front of you!
The entrance to Maruike-sama is also a little difficult to find, but just before the entrance, you can’t go straight any further, so I don’t think you will pass it by. When you reach a dead end, there is a passage that goes to the right, so turn right. The photo below is a view from the entrance to Maruike-sama.

It’s a bit hard to see in the photos, so let’s proceed while checking carefully.
Once you get this far, it should be fine!!

Near Maruike, the area was fenced with ropes, and signs were also installed.

You cannot go any closer than this.

Finally, I got a glimpse of Maruike-sama!

Taking a photo of just Maruike-sama is really nice, but by capturing the trees and leaves around Maruike-sama as well, you can express the richness of nature quietly existing within it, so it is recommended to take the photo together!!

The surrounding trees and branches were growing in spirals, something you wouldn’t usually see while walking in the city. It’s a very quiet and mystical space that soothes the soul.

As we proceeded along Maruike, there was a description of Maruike written.

Approximately 20 meters in diameter, 3.5 meters deep. It is sourced only from spring water. It is also designated as a natural monument of the town.

Opposite the signboard, there is Maruike Shrine.

Maruike Shrine is a shrine that is a subsidiary shrine outside the precincts of Chokai-san Omonoimi Shrine. The major feature is that the pond itself is worshiped as a sacred body (god)!

At Maruike Shrine, you can pray for:

• Safety at sea
• Big catches
• Traffic safety
• Business prosperity

It is said to bring various blessings.

Nearby Spots to Visit Together with Maruike-sama

When you visit Maruike-sama, it is recommended to extend your visit a little to the surrounding area. In fact, this area is very special, formed by the spring water blessed by Mount Chokai.

Ushitogawa River

First, a must-see is the clear stream “Ushitogawa River” flowing right next to it. The spring water from Maruike-sama flows directly into it, and the water clarity is astonishing. In summer, you can see Plumbago flowers blooming underwater, creating a fantastical landscape that looks like a small flower garden spreading beneath the water.

Kamaiso Coast

After driving a short distance, you reach Kamaishi Coast, a rare spot where the sea and spring water coexist. Here, the underground water from Mount Chokai gushes out from the coast, making it a place where you can feel the ‘final destination of the mountain water’s journey to the sea.’ You can experience the story of the water continuing from Maruike-sama on a larger scale.

Michi-no-Eki Chokai Flat

A place to stop for a break or a meal is Michi-no-Eki Chokai Flat. It offers fresh local seafood and specialty products, and if the timing is right, you can also enjoy seasonal rock oysters. It’s a perfect spot to visit during sightseeing, greatly enhancing your travel satisfaction.

In this way, the area around Maruike-sama features various attractions centered on ‘beautiful water’. If you have extra time, be sure to visit the surrounding spots as well, and experience the unique natural connections of this land.

Summary

The mystical pond “Maruike-sama” in Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture, is not only beautiful but also a special place where the power of nature and the faith of the people overlap. The clarity created by the spring water blessed by Mount Chokai and the fantastical colors that change with the light offer a sense of wonder that can only be felt by visiting in person.

Time spent in the quiet forest, feeling the sound of the water and the air, is sure to reset your mind. When you want to step away from everyday life and touch the mystery of nature—definitely try visiting at least once.

Shooting Date: March 14, 2026