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.
This year the cold was severe, and the omiwatari ice ridges appeared.
The state of the omiwatari is used to divine the year's harvest.
Standard kanji spelling for the ice phenomenon on Lake Suwa.
Variant with the honorific prefix in kana; less common but still seen.
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.