This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
in Akita PrefectureHachirogataonce boasted an area of 220 square kilometers andthe second largest lake in Japan after Lake Biwawas known as
The origins of Lake Hachirogata
Long ago, sandbars extended from the Yoneshiro River to the north and the Omono River to the south due to sediment accumulation, reaching Mount Kanpu, which was then an isolated island in what is now Oga City, and forming the Oga Peninsula, a tombolo.The coastal lagoonis Lake Hachirogata.
It was once a treasure trove of marine resources, but was wiped out by large-scale land reclamation projects
Also known as Lake Koto, this brackish lake was connected to the Sea of Japan by the Funakoshi Railway. Although it was only 4-5m deep, it was home to a wide variety of fish, including smelt, icefish, and gobies, and the large quantities of algae harvested there were an essential resource for fertilizer
However, in 1957,a national land reclamation projectbegan, and Lake Hachirogata was filled in, becoming a vast agricultural area. The land that was once the bottom of a lake was transformed into a lush rural landscape andOgata Village. Since then, Ogata Village has become famous not only for rice production but also for its melons and apples, and continues to be so to this day.
The Hachirogata Regulating Pond, where you can feel the remnants of Lake Hachirogata
, located in the southern part of Ogata Village,The Hachirogata regulating reservoiris a place where you can still see remnants of what it was once, when it was the second largest lake in Japan.
Hachirogata Lake Reservoir as seen from the summit of Mt. Kanpu in Oga City
It is also famous as a fishing spot for black bass and smelt, and you can see elegant boats sailing here. Although it is a remnant lake, it is quite vast and retains a strong remnant of its past
Ogata Village | Cherry Blossom and Rape Blossom Road
located a 20-minute drive from Hachirogata Station on the JR Ou Main Linethe Ogata Village Cherry Blossom and Rapeseed Flower Road, is a popular spot every year around Golden Week, offering a magnificent view of vibrant cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers stretching as far as the eye can see.
There is a cherry blossom viewing parking space called Sakura Spot on the side of the road, so you can park your car and enjoy the cherry blossoms at your leisure
A longitude and latitude intersection marker tower with round numbers for latitude and longitude, and a mountain at 0 meters above sea level?
Furthermore, a distinctive spot unique to Ogata Villagethe Latitude and Longitude Intersection Marker Tower. While there are many points where latitude and longitude intersect,40 degrees North latitude and 140 degrees East longitudethis is the only place in Japan where they intersect at the beautiful numbers of
Ogata Fuji
Furthermore,Ogata Fuji, the lowest Mount Fuji in Japan, which is known as Mount Fuji at sea level (0 meters above sea level).
The legend of Hachirotaro passed down in Lake Hachirogata
which spans three lakes: Lake Hachirogata, Lake Towada (which is located in Aomori Prefecture), and Lake Tazawa in Semboku Citythe "Hachirotaro Legend,"there is a grand legend known as
The story can be briefly summarized as follows: Hachirotaro was a hunter who became a superhuman after a certain incident and became the lord of Lake Towada. However, he was defeated in a battle with a high priest and fled to Lake Tazawa, where he was united with Princess Tatsuko of Lake Tazawa. He then escaped from his pursuers and made it to Lake Hachirogata, where he became a dragon god
Isn't it quite rare for a legend to be passed down over such a wide area?
Lake Hachirogata can no longer be seen. It's hard to believe that such a lake existed in the Tohoku region. I also feel sad and wonder why it was reclaimed. However, at the time, it must have been necessary for the people living in that area
It's not far from the center of Akita city, so if you're visiting Akita, it might be worth taking a little trip to experience the remnants of the huge lake that once stood there
Ogata Village <Information>
Name: Ogata Village (Hachirogata Reclaimed Land)
Address: Ogata Village, Minamiakita District, Akita Prefecture
![The Three Dragon Gods of the Sanko Legend (Nansobo, Hachirotaro, and Tatsuko)](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/e0f7ebf984700707359e06ed987d83b9-150x150.jpg.webp "[The Legend of the Three Lakes of Northern Tohoku: Part 1] Have you heard of the epic folklore that spans three prefectures, the "Legend of the Three Lakes"?")
