If you have the opportunity to travel to Japan, you can come across impressive places that are not in the guidebooks but possess charming and attractive beauty. The most typical is the field of pollen flowers or the garden of brilliant wisteria flowers.

In particular, it is impossible not to mention Monet’s Pond located at Nemichi Shrine, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As the name suggests, the beauty of this lake reminds people of Monet’s paintings because of its impressive and attractive colors and light. Under the clear waters of the pond, you can see vibrant lilies and beautiful schools of Koi fish.

monet's pond, from an abandoned pond to a picturesque japanese destination

Monet’s Pond is located at Nemichi Shrine, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

The origin of the name Monet’s Pond

Before being known as Monet’s Pond, this pond was known as “Namonaki” or “Nameless Pond”, meaning “nameless pond”. The pond is only about 20m wide and functions as an irrigation lake, used to store fresh water for plants. In 1990, Monet’s Pond was almost abandoned, and weeds were overgrown. Then, the owner of the Itadori flower park next door decided to renovate the lake with clean water from Mount Koga, plant lilies and release Koi fish.

Previously, this pond was used as a place to store water for watering plants.

In 2015, the “nameless pond” caused a fever on social networks after a tourist took pictures here and posted it on social networks. Thanks to the beautiful scenery, just like the painting “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet, a French painter”, this pond was named Monet’s Pond (roughly translated: Monet’s pond).

Colorful flowers are planted right next to the water.

The popularity of Monet’s Pond is growing. During Golden Week in May 2016, this place welcomed about 30,000 visitors per day. Until now, this place still attracts a large number of tourists to visit and enjoy and its image often appears in Japanese travel magazines.

It was not until 2015 that this pond became known to many people…

… and attract many tourists to visit and enjoy.

The surreal beauty of Monet’s Pond

After using the spring water on Mount Koga, Monet’s Pond becomes transparent, the color constantly changing according to the reflection of natural light. In addition, water lilies with vibrant colors and schools of Koi fish swimming around adorn the clear water. The scene is so beautiful that it is so surreal that many people think that this is just a painting, not a real scene.

Monet’s Pond is a picturesque destination of the land of cherry blossoms.

Almost at any time of the year, Monet’s Pond has its own distinct beauty. In early summer and late autumn, when the colorful lilies bloom and the maple trees around the pond turn red, the pond becomes more beautiful and transparent. Meanwhile, from mid-June until July, you will be able to admire the water lilies in bloom. However, on rainy days, the pond can be cloudy and not as beautiful as on mild sunny days.

The mist drifts loosely on the pond in the early morning.

In autumn, the pond becomes more romantic thanks to the red maple trees.

In addition, visitors when visiting Monet’s Pond will not be allowed to feed Koi fish because it may affect water quality. At the same time, if you want to see the whole scene and avoid the crowded scene, if you can’t take pictures, you should visit here in the morning, avoid the peak hours from 10:00 to 15:00.