In Akita ken, to the north east of Akita city about 3 hours drive, sits a beautiful circular lake with incredibly clear, azure water, the Tazawa lake田沢湖.
I was told that a dragon lives in the bottom of the lake, and a neighbouring lake dragon from Hachiryu lake travels to Tazawa lake every winter and spends the winter in the Tazawa. The energy created by both of these dragons heats the waters and subsequently the lake never freezes.
The water is certainly deep enough for two dragons, at 423 metres it is the deepest lake in Japan and stretches for about 20 kms in circumference. It has many wonderful viewing points.
My top Four Viewing Points.
First is the golden statue of the goddess Tasuko
which sits next to a lovely shrine that sells fish food (100 yen a pack) for the very hungry small fish in the lake.
Second is the wonderful view from the brewery (ORAE) on the shores of the lake which serves a variety of very decent Japanese boutique beers at reasonable prices.
Third is the view from the warm waters of Arupa Komakusa onsen, perched high above the lake on the mountain. Even on a cloudy day the view was spectacular and worth the slightly elevated cost of 600 yen to enter the onsen.
Finally, the giant red temple gate on the side of the lake is a wonderful viewpoint.
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