The submerged forest of Lake Akiogi can only be seen from May to June! A mysterious sight of trees floating on the lake [Akita Prefecture]

In Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, north of Lake Tazawa , there is a dam lake called Shusenko where you can see a mysterious sight for a limited time

This time, we'll be introducing the "submerged forest of Akiogi Lake."

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What is Lake Shusenko?

Akiogi Lake is a reservoir located north of Lake Tazawa, and its official name is Yoroihata Dam Lake

Yoroihata Dam was the first multipurpose dam built in the Omono River system for the purposes of flood control of the Tama River that flows into it and hydroelectric power generation with an output of 15,700 kilowatts.The artificial lake created by the dam was later named "Akiogi Lake."

The name is said to have originated from the fact that the water supply area downstream of the dam was shaped like a fan , and there was a settlement called "Oginomata Settlement" in the area that was submerged , so it was named "Akiogi Lake" by combining "Ogi" (fan) from "Akita".

From National Route 46, which connects Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture and Akita City, Akita Prefecture, head north on National Route 341 near Lake Tazawa, and you will see it along the road

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A submerged forest that can only be seen for a limited period from May to June each year

Lake Akiogi is famous for its submerged forest, which can only be seen for a limited time in spring

The upper reaches of the dam lake, which are normally a wetland, are experiencing a rise in water level due to the influx of snowmelt in spring. This creates the phenomenon where trees growing in the wetland are submerged, making them appear as if they are floating on the water

It is famous as a seasonal landscape that can only be seen until around mid-June , when water is supplied to the rice paddies

The lake's strikingcobalt blue color is due to the dissolution of limestone components, an artificial process carried out to neutralize the acidic water quality of the Tamagawa River. Currently, neutralization and stirring work is being carried out in Lake Hosen upstream. Therefore, Lake Hosen also has a similar blue color.

Incidentally, as you can see from the above, the hot springs at Tamagawa Onsen and Shin-Tamagawa Onsen on the shores of Lake Hosen upstream have a pH of 1.2, making them highly acidic. They are said to be the most acidic hot springs in Japan

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Where can you see submerged forests?

As mentioned above, the submerged forest can be seen upstream of Lake Akiogi

Once you can see Lake Akiogi, continue north on National Route 341 for a little further and you will come to a bridge called "Shin-Tamagawa Ohashi," from which you can see the submerged forest most beautifully

During the submerged forest season, many tourists take photos as they please, as shown in the photo above

Lake Shirakawa in Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture is famous for its submerged forest canoeing experience, but we also saw people enjoying canoeing at Lake Akiogi. It looks like a great experience

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lastly

There are many tourist spots where you can see seasonal scenery, but I think Lake Akiogi is also an interesting spot worth seeing. It is also close to the famous tourist spot Lake Tazawa, about 30 minutes by car, so it might be worth adding to your list of possible spots for spring sightseeing at Lake Tazawa!

Autumn Lake ＜Information＞

• Name: Lake Shusenko (Akiogi Lake) Also known as Yoroihata Dam Lake
• Address: Tamagawa, Lake Tazawa, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, 014-1205
• Phone number: Yoroihata Dam Management Office: 0187-42-2311
• URL:Tazawako Kakunodate Tourism Association – Akiogi Lake

Google Map

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