With the surface in the color of lapis lazuli, this almost circular lake is famous for the legend of Princess Tatsuko and boasts being the deepest in Japan at 423.4 meters. Enjoy the mystical atmosphere and the seasonally changing sceneries.

In this compact area of about 2km radius, many old buildings, including samurai residences, still remain, making for a charming streetscape.

Please use our services for your sightseeing in Kakunodate. We can also arrange wheelchair-accessible taxis and jumbo taxis.

The “Tatsuko Statue,” a golden statue of a woman standing against the backdrop of a majestic lake. This bronze statue depicts Princess Tatsuko, who is said to have become the lake goddess after praying for eternal youth and beauty. It has become a popular “power spot” among women, with rumors that it brings benefits for beauty and matchmaking.

The name “Gozanoshi Shrine” originates from an incident in the third year of the Keian era (1650), when Lord Satake Yoshitaka, the feudal lord of the Akita Domain, sat down to rest while touring Lake Tazawa.
Near the vermilion-lacquered torii gate, there are several famous sites, including the “Nanairogi” (Seven-Colored Tree)—a single tree from which seven different types of trees have grown—the “Katagashira Sacred Spring,” where Tatsuko drank the water and transformed into a dragon, and the “Kagami-ishi” (Mirror Stone), in which Tatsuko’s reflection was once seen.

A reservoir stretching along National Route 341. In addition to the refreshing views from the Dam Park, visitors can see submerged forests from the Shin-Tamagawa Bridge upstream during periods of high water, and marsh-like scenery during periods of low water. The autumn scenery, with the autumn foliage reflected across the cobalt-blue water, is also a sight to behold.