Lake Tazawa

Deepest Lake in Japan

Lake Tazawa-ko, a crater lake situated almost in the center of the eastern part of Akita Prefecture, and at 423.4 meters in depth, is the deepest lake in Japan. The almost perfectly circular lake is filled with mysterious sapphire-blue water. Depending on the season and on the depth of light penetrating into the water, the color changes from jade green to indigo blue, a sure attraction for visitors any time of year. At the northern end of the lake stands the Goza no Ishi Shrine on a site where the local lords used to come to admire the water in the feudal past. At the western end of the lake there is a famous golden statue of a woman named Tatsuko that has become a local symbol. According to legend, Tatsuko was a beautiful girl who prayed to retain her beauty forever but was instead cursed and turned into a dragon and eventually sunk to the bottom of Lake Tazawa. Take a scenic bus trip around the lake and enjoy views of the lake from different angles. You can get out on the lake itself, with several options for cruises, plus a range of row-boats and pedal-boats for those who would like to do things under their own stream. The lakeside is dotted with hotels and rest houses. In summer, the lake attracts swimmers and sunbathers to its beach area. It is filled with people who enjoy water sports, such as sail boarding and jet skiing. In the vicinity are many other leisure spots, including a ski resort and a camping site.

Akita Lake Tazawa | Related Pages