Ojika Pond was constructed by local farmers in the Edo Period taking advantage of the natural contours of the land, and they then began to use the water running from the base of Mt. Kurohime for agriculture. After that, it fell into disuse for a while, but in 1953 it was put back into service as a “warm water reservoir” for warming water, making this an irreplaceable part of raising rice in about 40 hectares (100 acres) of paddies.
Located amid the abundant nature of the Kurohime Highlands’ forests and grasslands, Ojika Pond has many walking paths and a variety of courses for you to enjoy. There are wetlands with patches of marsh marigolds, two waterfalls, and you can hear the babbling of the brook. As entry by car is restricted, you can easily hear birds singing and enjoy the quiet to your heart’s content. The Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum and Fairy Tale Forest Gallery are nearby, and you can get a light meal at the café. Additionally, you can take the Fairy Tale Forest Course, one of the Healing Forest Courses recognized as a “Forest Therapy Base or Road.”