Lake Tazawa Lake

Address: Semboku, Akita Prefecture, Japan (Tazawako area)

Website: https://www.tazawako.or.jp/ (Tazawako tourism)

Hours: Public access (24 hours); facilities and shops follow local business hours

Admission: Free (park access); local attractions and ropeways cost extra

Lake Tazawa (Tazawa-ko) is a deep caldera lake in Akita Prefecture, northern Honshu, and is the deepest lake in Japan at 423.4 metres. It is noted for its clear blue water and compact shoreline facilities concentrated around the town of Tazawako.

The lakeshore features a well-known bronze Tatsuko statue and a small lakeside promenade; nearby onsen and hotels make the area a regional tourist base. Boats and viewing platforms give close-up views of the water and surrounding wooded slopes.

The lake occupies a volcanic basin formed in the Pleistocene; local settlements developed around the lake and the area became a recreational destination in the 20th century with onsen and tourist facilities added around the shore.

It sits in the mountainous interior of Akita Prefecture, close to the town area known as Tazawako and served by regional rail connections. The lake is surrounded by wooded hills and is accessible from the nearest local towns and stations in the Semboku area.

• Depth: Maximum depth is 423.4 metres, making it the deepest lake in Japan.
• Icon: The bronze Tatsuko statue on the shore commemorates a local legend and is a prominent lakeside landmark for photos.

What to See#

• Tatsuko Statue: A bronze statue of the legendary figure Tatsuko stands on the lakeshore; it is a well-known photo spot and local symbol.
• Lakefront and onsen area: Tazawako Onsen and the lakefront area provide hotels, lakeshore promenades and access points for boat trips and watersports.

Take the Akita Shinkansen to Tazawako Station (about 3 hours from Tokyo on shinkansen + local connections). From Tazawako Station it’s a short bus or taxi ride to the lake’s main viewpoints; local buses run regularly in tourist season.

• Visit the statue of Princess Tatsuko at the lake's shore for the local legend and a classic photo opportunity.
• Arrive at Tazawako Station (served by the Akita Shinkansen) and take the short bus or taxi ride to the lake; the station itself is on the JR Tazawako Line.
• The best views are from the hillside on the northeastern shore at sunrise when the water becomes cobalt blue.