Tranquil Waters of Lake Tazawa

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

It was my first time seeing it, but the moment I saw Lake Tazawa from the train window, I was captivated by its beauty. What impressed me most was the color of the lake's surface, known as "Tazawa Lake Blue." This blue, born from its depth of 423.4 meters—the deepest lake in Japan—changed like a gradient from emerald green to deep navy blue, possessing an almost mesmerizing transparency. It was also a perfect sunny day when I visited. Of course, the Tatsuko statue was also fantastic; the golden Tatsuko statue against the blue lakeshore was incredibly picturesque, making every photo I took a picture from. Also, there's the story of Tatsuko... Actually, the legend of the three lakes really resonates with me. It can't be helped for Tatsuko; it was the path she chose. However, I particularly like the episode where the mother, worried about her daughter, goes into the mountains and is reunited with her daughter who has turned into a dragon. The mother grieves and, giving up on her daughter, throws the pine resin torch she was carrying onto the lake as she sets off on her journey home. This discarded pine resin torch is said to be the origin of the Kunimasu (the ancestor of the Japanese trout). It's said that Tatsuko's mother, worried about her child, gave birth to the Kunimasu. Well, there's also the view that the Kunimasu is the offspring of Tatsuko who turned into a dragon, but you can find more details on the web. However, there seems to be limited parking around the Tatsuko statue, right?

Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan (423.4 meters deep). Its crystal-clear waters, combined with the changing sunlight and weather, create a dreamy, jewel-like azure hue. The famous Golden Tatsuko statue stands on the lakeshore, symbolizing the legend of a woman who became a lake goddess in pursuit of eternal beauty. The adjacent Floating Wood Shrine is also a popular spot for people seeking good fortune in love; its beautiful scenery makes it highly recommended.

It's spacious and the water is incredibly clear. You can easily see fish swimming around. There are so many natural monuments and tourist spots nearby that it's impossible to see them all. On my way back, I spotted something that looked like a sightseeing boat, but it was almost 4 PM and I missed it. I would have loved to ride it if I had the chance.

I cycled around Lake Tazawa. It took about an hour. There are some steep hills along the way that can be quite daunting. It's nice to have stunning scenery on your left the whole time you're cycling. There's also a golden statue of Tatsuko, among other things.