[Akita] Water depth 423.4m! Japan's deepest lake "Lake Tazawa"

Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan

Lake Tazawa, located in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, is the deepest lake in Japan. With an area of ​​25.8 square kilometers, it is the 19th largest lake in Japan, so it is not very noticeable as a lake. However, because the maximum water depth is 423.4 meters, it is famous nationwide.

If you submerge the Sky Tree, the tallest building in Japan, it will be so deep that you will be submerged up to the second observation deck. Unlike regular lakes, it does not freeze even in the middle of winter. It has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 views, and the entire lake is included in the Prefectural Natural Park. The lake's name comes from the town of Tazawako, which existed from 1956 to 2005.

Indigo-colored lake surface called Tazawako Blue

The beautiful blue color that looks like blue ink is called Lake Tazawa Blue, and although it is a vivid color, it also has a sense of transparency. Since the depth varies depending on the location, the angle of the sunlight that shines through it also varies, resulting in colors ranging from jade to deep indigo.

In the past, the lake was more transparent than it is now, but due to advanced oxidation, several species of lake creatures became extinct. We tried to neutralize it by releasing lime and Japanese dace, but it didn't have much effect. Kunimasu and Japanese red trout that lived before 1940 have disappeared, but a survey in 1948 found that new species such as Japanese dace and Japanese red trout had begun to inhabit the area. Since then, the water quality has not changed, so those who visit Lake Tazawa in the future can look at the surface of the lake and observe Japanese dace and American trout swimming leisurely.

There is a legend related to Lake Tazawa called Tatsuko. Once upon a time, there was a girl named Tatsuko, and she visited the shrine 100 times to preserve her beauty forever. On the night of her 100th night, God appears and tells her to drink from the northern spring. Tatsuko drank a large amount of water from the spring and turned into a dragon, and Lake Tazawa was created in the place where the mountain collapsed due to his rampage. Legend has it that the dragon finally sank deep into the lake and became the master of Tazawa Lagoon. There are many facilities related to this legend, which can be said to be the roots of Lake Tazawa. It is a sightseeing spot where you can easily see the Tatsuko Kannon statue and the Hime Kannon statue, both of which show their innocence.

INFORMATION

• Name: Tazawako Tourism Association
• Address: 39 Miyanogou, Tazawako Hohonai, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0187-58-0063
• Official URL: http://www.tazawako.org/

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