Lake Tazawa: the Tatsuko Legend, Gozanoishi Shrine, Boat Rides and Lakeside Cycling

Lake Tazawa is a nearly circular lake in Akita with a lapis-blue water surface, and it carries the legend of Princess Tatsuko, who is said to have become the deity of the lake. The legend gives you things to look for: a bronze statue of the princess, a shrine said to enshrine her, and a sightseeing boat that circles the lake past the statue. One way to work through the lake is to begin with the water itself, then follow the legend to the statue and Gozanoishi Shrine, then go out by boat or ride the lakeside cycling road, and finish with kiritanpo on the shore.

Princess Tatsuko: the Legend and the Places Where You Can See It

The Tatsuko statue is a bronze figure of a legendary girl who, according to the Tatsuko legend, wished for eternal youth and beauty and became the deity of the lake. The lapis-blue surface of the lake is tied to that legend, and the statue stands with the clear blue lake water behind it.

Gozanoishi Shrine is said to enshrine Princess Tatsuko herself. Beside its red-lacquered torii gate stands a tree on which seven kinds of trees grow from one trunk. Near the gate are the spring where Tatsuko is said to have drunk and become a dragon, and a rock where she is said to have reflected her figure. The name is said to recall Satake Yoshitaka, an Akita domain lord, resting here.

Another shrine on the shore, built of white wood in a modern style, is said to enshrine a floating tree whose trunk rises above the lake and slants deep into the water.

If you want to follow the story in order, start with the statue, then the shrine where she is said to be enshrined, and take the legend out onto the water.

Lapis-Blue Water Through the Seasons

Lake Tazawa is a nearly circular lake with a lapis-blue water surface. In spring a soft light shines on the lake surface, and in summer deep green and sky blue cover it.

In autumn the autumn-coloured trees are reflected on the lake surface, and in winter the white of snow contrasts with the water. The ski slopes of Tazawako ski area also have a view of the lake.

On a quiet morning the lake surface becomes like a mirror and reflects the morning sun brightly. The look of the lake changes with each of the four seasons, so if you want to see how it changes, come in more than one season and give the morning a chance.

The Kunimasu, a fish of Lake Tazawa, died out after strongly acidic water from the Tama River was led in for use as a reservoir, killing many of the lake's fish. The Lake Tazawa Kunimasu Future Museum conveys the history and culture of the lake and a message for the future.

Kiritanpo, Miso Tanpo and Lakeside Food

All seats in the Tazawako Rest House restaurant look out on the Persian-blue water of Lake Tazawa. Its local dishes are kiritanpo, Inaniwa udon, Hachimantai pork and a Hinai-jidori chicken and egg bowl.

Miso tanpo is sold at the fast food corner in front of the rest house, and the Tatsuko tea house is said to be its birthplace. The same corner sells a soft ice cream named after the Tatsuko legend.

The mountain-potato pot uses Tazawako mountain potato alone, formed into dumplings and finished with a miso or soy sauce taste. Wild mountain vegetables, local beer, iwana char, and handmade pickles and oyaki are also named as local foods, and a burger shop serves American-style hamburgers. If you want a meal that tastes of the lake country, start with kiritanpo or the mountain-potato pot, and keep miso tanpo as a snack for later.

On the Water and Around the Shore

The sightseeing boat circles the lake past the Tatsuko statue, and the Tatsuko legend is told on board. Kayakers set out on the emerald-green lake, and the cycling route passes the shrine and the statue through scenery that recalls Northern Europe.

The lakeside cycling road has few ups and downs, and the bicycles include geared, electric-assist, road and cross bikes, plus junior bicycles and child seats. The loop is a two to three hour ride, so if you want the shrine and the statue in one go, this is the way.

A promenade at Shirahama runs from the sightseeing boat landing to the Horai pine. Along the lakeshore you can also try SUP, electric kick boards and tent saunas, and the coffee after the sauna, from beans roasted within one week, is fragrant and easy to drink.

Haruyama, the sightseeing base on the lakeshore, has hotels, inns and rest houses, and the boat departs from there. The Lake Tazawa Camp Site lies on the shore with the lake right in front. For an overnight stay in the area, places to stay in Semboku is a place to start.

Getting to Lake Tazawa

Leg	How	Time or fare
Tazawako Station to the Tazawako Rest House stop on the lakeshore	Ugo Kotsu bus	About 12 minutes
Tazawako Station to Shirahama	Ugo Kotsu bus	About 15 minutes
Tazawako Station to Gozanoishi Shrine	Ugo Kotsu bus, Tazawako Isshu line	About 40 minutes
Tazawako Station to the Tatsuko statue stop	Ugo Kotsu bus, Tazawako Isshu line	About 30 minutes in total
Akita Airport to the Lake Tazawa area	Akita Airport Liner	About 100 minutes
Tazawako Station to the lakeshore stop at the rest house	Fare	350 yen
Tazawako Station to the Tatsuko statue stop	Fare	710 yen
Tazawako Station to Gozanoishi Shrine	Fare	850 yen
Tazawako Station, a trip around the lake	Fare	1,160 yen
Lakeshore stop at the rest house, a trip around the lake	Fare	790 yen

New to rural buses and one-man trains? See how to ride them, step by step.

Hours and Fees

Place	What	Hours or fee
Sightseeing boat	Adult fare	1,500 yen
Sightseeing boat	Child fare	Half the adult fare
Lake Tazawa Kunimasu Future Museum	Hours	9:00 to 16:00 (16:00 is the last admission time)
Lake Tazawa Kunimasu Future Museum	Closing day	Tuesday
Lake Tazawa Kunimasu Future Museum	Adult admission	500 yen and 400 yen listed
Cycle shop at the lake	Hours	8:00 to 17:00, may change with the weather
Cycle shop at the lake	Price	From 1,000 yen for 1 hour
Tent sauna	Price	15,000 yen per slot
Tent sauna	Payment	Cash only, on site
SUP tour	Price	6,000 yen
Tazawako Rest House restaurant	Kiritanpo pot	1,800 yen including tax