In the early morning hours, a Japanese priest and his followers gathered with hopes of witnessing a rare spiritual event at Lake Suwa in Nagano. The group, mainly consisting of men in their sixties, sought out the mystical occurrence known as “God’s Crossing,” which has become increasingly elusive over the years.
Referred to as “miwatari” in Japanese, this phenomenon occurs when a crack forms in the frozen lake surface, allowing thinner ice to break through and create a ridge believed to be traversed by local deities. The annual watch for this event, led by the priest of Yatsurugi Shrine, has served as a unique historical record of climate changes.
This year’s observation began on January 5, guided by Kiyoshi Miyasaka, a Shinto priest. Despite a seven-year absence of God’s Crossing, the group remained optimistic as they embarked on their mission, carrying symbolic items and wearing shrine-emblazoned jackets.
As they approached the lake, the priest’s demeanor shifted as he gauged the water’s conditions, reflecting on the changing climate patterns. Historical records maintained by the shrine detail temperature readings and ice thickness, dating back to the 15th century.
Experts, like geographer Naoko Hasegawa, emphasize the significance of these long-standing meteorological archives in understanding past climate trends. The absence of God’s Crossing since 2018 is seen as a clear indicator of climate change by scientists and believers alike.
Once a regular occurrence until the 1980s, the appearance of the ice ridges has become sporadic due to rising temperatures. Takehiko Mikami, a researcher, recalls witnessing the phenomenon in 1998 when the lake froze entirely, allowing for walking across its surface.
Despite fleeting moments of hope during this year’s observation period, the lack of a full freeze has been evident, signaling a prolonged absence of God’s Crossing. The priest, Miyasaka, acknowledges the changing landscape and vows to preserve the tradition for future generations.
The extended period without the phenomenon serves as a stark reminder of the accelerating effects of global warming, raising concerns among researchers like Mikami about the potential loss of this sacred event in the future.
