Akita, Japan | Lake Tazawa Attractions | Statue of Tatsuko | Kansa-gu Shrine (Ukigi Shrine) | Gozanoishi Shrine | Omoide no Katabunko
Lake Tazawa is located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. With a depth of 423.4 meters, it is the deepest freshwater lake in Japan. Despite its depth, the water is remarkably clear, and you can easily spot schools of fish swimming in the lake. It is also listed as one of Japan's 100 Landscapes, and together with the nearby hot spring areas, it is a spot travelers frequently visit.
📜 Information
- Getting there:
- About 15 minutes by bus from JR Tazawako Station
- 40 minutes by bus from JR Kakunodate Station
- Official website：https://tazawako-kakunodate.com/ja/
Must-Visit Spots
- Statue of Tatsuko
- Ukigi Shrine
- Gozanoishi Shrine
- Omoide no Katabunko
Statue of Tatsuko (Tatsuko-zo)
- Address: Katajiri Nishikicho Saimyoji, Semboku, Akita 014-0511
Legend has it that a beautiful girl named Tatsuko lived in a village on the shore of Lake Tazawa. She prayed to the Okura Kannon for one hundred days, wishing for eternal beauty. Moved by her sincerity, Kannon told her to go deep into the forest and drink from a spring so that her youth would last forever. However, after drinking from the spring, Tatsuko transformed into a dragon and plunged into Lake Tazawa, becoming the lake's deity, forever wandering its deep waters. Later, based on this legend, the Statue of Tatsuko was erected on the lakeshore.
Parking information:
- There is a free parking lot near Kansa-gu Shrine (Ukigi Shrine) available for visitors.
Transport information:
- From JR Tazawako Station, take the "Lake Tazawa Loop" bus and get off at Katajiri, then walk 1 minute (about 30 minutes in total).
- By car: about a 1-hour drive from downtown Akita City along National Route 46.
Kansa-gu Shrine (Ukigi Shrine)
- Address: Katajiri Nishikicho Saimyoji, Semboku, Akita 014-0511, Japan
There are many stories about the origin of Ukigi Shrine. It is said that before the Edo period, a huge piece of driftwood appeared in Lake Tazawa, protruding about 2 meters above the surface with the rest slanting down to the lakebed. A villager sawed off part of the driftwood and took it away, only to be struck by illness and eventually die, with his entire family line coming to an end. Fearful of this incident, people built a shrine here to worship Ukigi Myojin and Sagi Myojin.
According to another account, Ukigi Shrine was established to enshrine Tatsuko and was the predecessor of Kansa-gu Shrine.
Parking information:
- There is a free parking lot near Kansa-gu Shrine (Ukigi Shrine) available for visitors.
Transport information:
- From JR Tazawako Station, take the "Lake Tazawa Loop" bus and get off at Katajiri, then walk 1 minute (about 30 minutes in total).
- By car: about a 1-hour drive from downtown Akita City along National Route 46.
Gozanoishi Shrine
Gozanoishi Shrine stands on the shore of Lake Tazawa in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, and enshrines the dragon deity and the deity of beauty. Built in the early Edo period, it is said to have been founded to worship the dragon god of Lake Tazawa.
- Address: 1 Ainaigata, Shimohinokinai, Nishiki-cho, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Japan
Main highlights of Gozanoishi Shrine:
- Main hall: the shrine's principal hall, enshrining the dragon deity and the deity of beauty.
- Seven-Colored Tree: a sacred tree within the shrine grounds from which seven different kinds of trees grow.
- Statue of Tatsuko: a statue of the goddess Tatsuko located within the shrine grounds.
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Main hall: the shrine's principal hall, enshrining the dragon deity and the deity of beauty |
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| Seven-Colored Tree: a sacred tree within the shrine from which seven different kinds of trees grow |
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Statue of Tatsuko: a statue of the goddess Tatsuko within the shrine grounds |
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| The torii gate in front of the shrine facing the lake |
Parking information:
- There is a free parking lot near Gozanoishi Shrine available for visitors.
Transport information:
- From JR Tazawako Station, take the "Lake Tazawa Loop" bus and get off at the Gozanoishi Shrine stop (about 40 minutes).
- By car: about a 1-hour drive from downtown Akita City along National Route 46.
Omoide no Katabunko
Omoide no Katabunko is a closed school on the shore of Lake Tazawa in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Japan, now converted into a museum. Built in 1882, it closed in 1974 and was restored and opened to the public in 2004. Inside you'll find Showa-era classrooms, a library, an auditorium and other facilities, along with student belongings and photographs from the period. Visiting the museum offers insight into the history and culture of rural Japanese elementary schools.
- Address: 1-3 Katabun, Obonai, Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Japan
Omoide no Katabunko was originally the Kata branch school of Tazawako Town's Obonai Elementary School, and it closed in 1974 due to declining student numbers. After closing, the school building fell into disrepair until 2004, when local residents raised funds to restore it and convert it into a museum.
Parking information:
- There is a free parking lot near Omoide no Katabunko available for visitors.
Transport information:
- From JR Tazawako Station, take the "Lake Tazawa Loop" bus, get off at Uenakono stop, and walk 15 minutes.
- By car: about a 1-hour drive from downtown Akita City along National Route 46.
Other information:
- Opening hours: 9:00–17:00, closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays)
- Admission: 300 yen for adults, 150 yen for children
Full write-up: Akita, Japan | Lake Tazawa Attractions | Omoide no Katabunko | A Beautifully Preserved Nostalgic Japanese Elementary School
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