Tazawako Station (田沢湖駅)
Station Type: Train station
Tazawako Station is located at the end of the Akita Shinkansen line in Akita Prefecture, which is rich in nature. The area surrounding the station is filled with beautiful scenery and sightseeing spots, and is a seasonal attraction.
First, Lake Tazawa, accessible on foot from the station, offers beautiful scenery along its shores. Visitors can stroll along the lakeside and spend time relaxing in nature. In addition, there are hot spring resorts and restaurants along the lakeside, where you can spend a relaxing time.
Around Lake Tazawa, there are nature-rich parks, hot spring resorts, and historical sightseeing spots. First, we recommend a visit to Lake Tazawa Park, a 10-minute drive from the station. The park offers stunning views of seasonal flowers and beautiful autumn foliage during the season. There is also an observatory in the park where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of Lake Tazawa.
Kakunodate Buke Yashiki, located about 30 minutes by car from the station, is a sightseeing spot where samurai residences from the Edo period have been preserved. Visitors can tour the historical buildings. In addition, the “Kakunodate Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)” is held in the surrounding area, and stores selling traditional crafts and souvenirs are lined up in the area.
Furthermore, the “Oga Peninsula,” located about 40 minutes by car from the station, is a sightseeing spot with a beautiful coastline and fresh seafood. The “Namahage-go” sightseeing train, featuring Akita Prefecture’s famous “Namahage,” is especially popular among tourists.
There are many other attractive sightseeing spots in the vicinity of Tazawako Station.
Restaurants, Foods
Some restaurants and food shops around the station.
Michinoku (お食事処みちのく)
Restaurant Type: Syokudo and Teishoku restaurant
Mizuumi (みずうみ)
Restaurant Type: Udon noodle restaurant
Sobagoro (そば五郎 田沢湖駅前店)
Restaurant Type: Soba noodle shop
Tourist area
Some tourist area – the best views, museums and parks – around the station.
Statue of Tatsuko (たつこ像)
Tourist Area Type: Sculpture
This is a bronze statue of Princess Tatsuko, a legendary beautiful girl who is said to have wished for eternal youth and beauty and became a lake goddess. Her figure looks chaste against the clear blue waters of the lake. It is located near the shore of Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan at 423.4 meters.
Lake Tazawa is a scenic spot that has been selected as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan. It is the deepest lake in Japan, with a depth of 423.4 meters, and it is worth seeing as the surface of the lake changes from brilliant lapis lazuli to azure to indigo. You can take a cruise on a sightseeing boat, paddle boat, canoe, kayak, SUP, or other means of paddling on the lake. The colors change depending on where you look, so cycling, trekking, and driving along the lakeside are also recommended. If you camp, you can also enjoy the changes with the time of day.
Dakigaeri Valley (抱返り渓谷)
Tourist Area Type: Scenic spot
Hogaretsu Valley, famous for its fresh greenery and autumn foliage, is a 10-km-long valley that runs along the middle reaches of the Tamagawa River, which flows through Lake Tazawa and Kakunodate. It is called “Hogaretsuri” because it used to be so narrow and steep that people had to hold each other up as they passed each other. The most beautiful feature of the valley is the Retrospect Falls, which are so beautiful that you will want to turn around and look at them again and again. The canyon walk is accessible up to the Iimura Boy’s Monument, and there are many spots in between, offering a spectacular view that will keep you busy for the 40-minute stroll.
Obonai Park (生保内公園)
Tourist Area Type: Park
This small park overlooking the Obonai Basin is famous for its native renge azaleas, said to number 1,000 plants and 10,000 trees. During the azalea season from mid-May to late May, the “Ibouchi Park Azalea Festival” is held, and during the festival, the park is illuminated at night.
Gozanoishi Shrine (御座石神社)
Tourist Area Type: Shinto shrine
The name of the shrine, Gozaishi Shrine, comes from the fact that Lord Satake Yoshitaka, lord of the Akita domain, sat down to rest when he toured Lake Tazawa in 1650. Near the vermilion-lacquered torii (gateway to the shrine), there are also such landmarks as “Nanashiki Ki,” a tree from which seven different kinds of trees grow, the “Lagato-no-Reisen Spring,” where Tatsuko drank and became a dragon, and “Kagamiishi,” a mirror stone that reflects Tatsuko’s image.
Prefectural Forest (県民の森)
Tourist Area Type: Park
This forest park was the site of the National Tree Planting Festival in 1968 and the National Tree Raising Festival in 1978. Trees from each prefecture are planted in each district like a map of Japan.
Hotels
There are various hotels around the station.
Ikoi No Yado Shinkokyū (Shinko kyū) (憩いの宿 森湖休（しんこきゅう）)
Guesthouse Sounosuke (民宿 惣之助)
Tazawako Lake Resort & Onsen (天然温泉 田沢湖レイクリゾート)
Convenience Stores, Grocery Stores
Stores for foods, drinks and others.
Tourist Information Center
Tourist information centers inside/around the station.
Tazawako Tourist Information Center “Folake” (仙北市 田沢湖観光情報センター フォレイク)
Have a nice visit !
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