Lake Tazawa
Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan at about 1,389ft (423m) and is located in Semboku, Akita. It’s one of my favorite places in Akita because it’s enjoyable during every season. In summer, visitors can rent swan boats and paddle boards. In fall, the trees around the lake turn a gorgeous red and the mountains change color, too. The lake reflects it beautifully, and the contrast between the red leaves and blue water is remarkable. In spring, take a stroll around the lake and enjoy the cherry blossoms. Lastly, in winter, everything is covered in snow and the lake takes on a very deep blue color. I really enjoy visiting during winter because the snowy mountain views are wonderful. When they’re covered in snow, they almost look fluffy. The lake is surrounded by mountains, so it kind of feels like I’m in a winter wonderland snow globe. It’s really a magical scene.
There is a wooden shrine in front of the lake as well. It’s believed that visitors to this shrine will find love. It’s a very popular photo spot!
The Statue of Tatsuko
A very special golden statue sits in front of Lake Tazawa. It depicts a woman named Tatsuko and her story is very well known in the area. Legend has it that Tatsuko was a beautiful woman and she wanted to preserve her beauty for all eternity. So, she prayed and prayed to a deity of mercy and compassion. After many days and nights of praying, the deity told Tatsuko that her wish would come true if she drank from a nearby spring. Tatsuko listened to the deity and drank until the spring ran dry. Tatsuko was then turned into a dragon deity and became so upset that she threw herself into the lake.
Hachiro was a man who also transformed into a dragon and he eventually learned about Tatsuko. They both ended up living together beneath the depths of Lake Tazawa, becoming the guardians of the lake. It’s said that this is the reason why Lake Tazawa never freezes over in winter.
This is a tragic but beautiful story, and it’s probably my favorite piece of folklore that I’ve come across in Japan.
Gozanoishi Shrine
Going around the lake, visitors will come across Gozanoishi Shrine. This is actually dedicated to Tatsuko, the dragon deity that protects the lake. The shrine will supposedly give visitors good looks, good luck, and success. The huge red torii overlooks the blue water and mountains of Lake Tazawa which is a really stunning sight.
Many people like to take a photo under the big torii with the wonderful scenery in the back. I will admit, trying to get a photo in the snow was tough. It looked packed enough to walk on but I started to sink the closer I got to the torii. I ended up being knee deep in snow and ice by the time I got under the torii and had to carefully choose where to stand so I wouldn’t sink further. Touring the lake and its shrines is probably easier in any other season, but I think the view and photo was worth the effort!
Honey
15 minutes away from the Statue of Tatsuko is a honey shop called Yama no Hachimitsuya (Mountain Honey Shop). This is my favorite place to go to buy honey and honey-related products. I love trying strange and interesting flavors and this is the perfect place for that. Honey flavors here include lemon, orange, sunflower, lavender, coffee, and more. Since I like floral flavors, I always buy the lavender flavor and cherry blossom flavor. They have a very unique taste and sometimes the flowers will be in the honey.
There are also products such as skin care infused with honey, jams, butter, and snacks like honey roasted nuts. If you’re a honey fanatic like I am, this place is totally worth checking out.
The outside of the shop is painted all cute
Main part of the shop
There’s also an ice cream shop attached to the main part of the store. However, there’s a catch to this ice cream. After ordering, I received an 8-sided die. I was a little confused but rolled the die anyway without asking questions. I rolled a 1 but I didn’t understand what that meant until I got my ice cream cone with a single chocolate bee.
The die is given to customers so they can roll for the amount of chocolate bees on their cone! I thought this was a really cute idea and it made me want to try again for 8 chocolate bees. Zach ended up trying, and he also rolled a 1. We both were unlucky but the ice cream was delicious nonetheless. Plus, it just gives us an excuse to come back later.
Pizza
In the same parking lot, just a hop and a skip away from the honey shop, is a pizza restaurant. This place is known for some delicious honey pizza and their honey pork pizza is the most popular one. The runner up is a four cheese that includes gorgonzola. These pizzas come with a small cup of honey to drizzle as well as a whole bottle of honey if you’re like me and want extra. Zach and I ended up getting one 4 cheese and one half-and-half. It was really good, and I’d be lying if I said we didn’t go back multiple times for these pizzas.
Front of the restaurant
The pork was so tender and flavorful. It pairs well with the honey!
A whole 4 cheese pizza and a bottle of honey.