noun
ice ridges on Lake Suwa; omiwatari
A natural phenomenon on Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture where pressure ridges form in the ice, traditionally interpreted as the footsteps of a god crossing the lake. Often used in cultural or seasonal contexts.
今年は寒さが厳しく、御神渡りが出現した。
This year the cold was severe, and the omiwatari ice ridges appeared.
御神渡りのでき具合で、その年の豊凶を占う。
The state of the omiwatari is used to divine the year's harvest.
From 御 (honorific prefix) + 神 (god) + 渡り (crossing), literally 'honorable god's crossing'. The term refers to the belief that the ice ridges are footprints left by a deity crossing Lake Suwa.