[2025 Semboku Attraction] Travel Guide for Statue of Tatsuko (Updated Jun)

This is the Statue of Tatsuko located at the West Bank of Lake Tazawa in Semboku, Akita prefecture. Lengend has it that Princess Tatsuko prayed for eternal youth and beauty, her wish was granted when she drank the waters of a magical forest spring and turned into a dragon as the guardian spirit of the lake~ The view is stunning and the water is clear. You can even see people doing paddle boarding. Driving is more convenient for travelling around in Akita ~

Lake Tazawa— Japan’s deepest lake, boasting crystal-clear, sapphire-blue waters. Its surface sparkles like a jewel under the sunlight. But the true beauty lies beyond what meets the eye. This lake is home to the legend of Princess Tatsuko. A young girl who wished for eternal beauty and transformed into a dragon, becoming one with the lake— A bittersweet yet gentle tale that flows quietly throughout the lake. The golden statue of Princess Tatsuko standing by the lakeshore seems to echo her wish, drawing your heart to a distant place just by gazing at it. 🚣♀️ A cruise boat gliding across the lake, benches by the water’s edge, and flowers swaying in the breeze. Everything here seems to rewind time at a gentle pace. In autumn, the lake is adorned with vibrant fall foliage, and in winter, snow deepens its serene stillness. Spring and summer each bring their own unique stories. ⸻ 📍Lake Tazawa (Semboku City, Akita Prefecture) 🚄 About 15 minutes by car from Tazawako Station on the Akita Shinkansen (a sightseeing bus is also available from the station) 🚗 About 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Morioka 🗓 Recommended seasons: Each season offers its own beauty, but the autumn foliage and winter tranquility are particularly special. ⛩ The "Gozanoishi Shrine" on the western side of the lake is also a popular power spot. ⸻ 📌 Lake Tazawa is not just a place to "see." The myths and beauty within its stillness will speak to your heart.

📍Location: Northeast Japan 💰Cost: Half a Hermès cheaper than Hokkaido! 📸Photo Op Alert: Memory card killer ahead‼️ ✨【Must-Visit Anime Scenes】 🔵Lake Tazawa & Tatsuko Statue What's it like to fall into Makoto Shinkai's color palette? The golden goddess statue by the cobalt blue lake at dawn mist will make you hallucinate scenes from *The Garden of Words*! Pro tip: Wear a white dress for divine maiden photoshoots👗 ♨️Nyuto Onsen Village Get tipsy in *Spirited Away*-style steam! Must-try: Tsurunoyu's mixed-gender secret hot spring—watch snowflakes dissolve into milky waters, romance beyond words❄️ 👹Namahage Shrine Heart attack warning❗️When 2m-tall red demons brandish hatchets, even introverts turn extroverted screaming "I'm a good kid!" 🍡【Akita's Culinary KO】 ▪️Hinai Chicken Oyakodon: Dancing soft-boiled eggs + Akita Komachi rice—bowl-licking good! ▪️Kiritanpo Trio: Crispy outside, chewy inside—ultimate carb bliss (⚠️Share one stick if small appetite!) ▪️Inaniwa Udon: *Kodoku no Gourmet*-approved noodles rolled with bamboo poles—slurp-worthy enough to beg apprenticeship 🚞【Winter-Exclusive Perks】 ✔️Ride Akita Nairiku Line through frost forests ✔️Sip hot cocoa in Yokote snow huts under stars ✔️Pet Akita puppies & grab limited omamori 📝【Local Pro Tips】 ❶Free foot baths in onsen towns—savior for walkers ❷Follow "Akita Tourism" official account for hidden festivals + coupons Standing atop mountains gazing at the Sea of Japan, I suddenly understood Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's *In Praise of Shadows*. No Tokyo bustle here—just grannies handing grilled rice sticks and 300-year-old steam rising from bathhouses.

#springitinerary Tazawa Lake is that quiet, underrated gem that totally sneaks up on you. It’s Japan’s deepest lake, but in spring, it’s all about calm blue waters, soft mountain views, and cherry blossoms popping up around the edges. The air’s crisp, the crowds are light, and the whole place just feels peaceful. You’ve got this epic statue of Tatsuko (local legend vibes), and the reflections on the lake? Insane. Like, no filter needed. If you’re into walks, bike rides, or just straight-up relaxing by the water with snacks and a view, this is the spot. It’s not super flashy, but that’s the point. Spring here is about slowing down, soaking in the scenery, and maybe catching some sakura petals floating on the lake like a scene from a chill anime. Pack a bento, bring a hoodie, and enjoy the mellowest spring getaway ever.

This is the statue of Tatsuko in Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefecture. I visited during Golden Week. It's a spot that represents Lake Tazawa. It's a historic bronze statue built in 1968. (You can also see live camera footage from the Senboku City website.) It was the most crowded place around Lake Tazawa. (But it was still pretty empty!) You can also walk a little and go to Kansa Shrine. There are also goshuin stamps here. It looks like it's floating on the lake, which is mysterious. I was able to enjoy the cherry blossoms just before the time came. They also sell fish food🐟 (I didn't see them, but they seem to be in the lake. They don't seem to eat anything when they're being fed a lot. I gave up after hearing that story.) You can use the parking lot of the souvenir shop Saito Shoten across the street. It costs 200 yen just to park, but they will exchange it for a 200 yen voucher that can be used at the shop. I bought some souvenirs while I was there. 〒014-0511 Nishiki-cho, Saimyoji, Katajiri, Senboku-shi, Akita Prefecture #Enjoy Japan#Tatsuko Elephant #Kansa Shrine

When I visited Lake Tazawa, I was taken aback by the beauty of its clear blue surface. As the deepest lake in Japan, the water is mystically transparent, like a mirror that reflects the color of the sky and even the clouds. The statue of Tatsuko standing on the lakeside is somewhat sad, and combined with the legend of the lake, it creates a fantastical atmosphere. The surrounding nature is also beautiful, and it is a place that shows a different expression with each season. Lake Tazawa, where tranquility and grandeur coexist, is a place that relaxes the mind. To get to Lake Tazawa, take the Akita Shinkansen to Tazawako Station and then transfer to a bus. There is a bus that is somewhere between a local bus and a sightseeing bus, called the Tazawako Loop Line, which goes around the lake from Tazawako Station and returns to Tazawako Station, stopping at tourist spots around the lake for about 10 to 20 minutes. I recommend using this bus. #Spring0yenTrip

📍 Lake Tazawa, Semboku City, Akita, Japan The Tatsuko Statue is a stunning golden bronze statue standing on the shores of Lake Tazawa in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture. It depicts Princess Tatsuko, a legendary maiden who, according to local folklore, wished for eternal youth and beauty and was transformed into the guardian dragon of the lake. Created by renowned sculptor Yasutake Funakoshi, the 2-meter-tall statue was erected on May 12, 1968. Its golden hue contrasts beautifully with the deep cobalt blue waters of Lake Tazawa, making it a striking landmark and a must-visit photo spot. According to the legend, Tatsuko drank from a mystical spring in her quest for everlasting beauty and was ultimately transformed into a dragon, forever bound to the lake’s depths. This touching tale is the inspiration behind the statue. How to Get There 🚉 From JR Tazawako Station: Approx. 15 minutes by bus 🚉 From JR Kakunodate Station: Approx. 40 minutes by bus Take a moment to admire the breathtaking lake scenery and discover the mystical beauty of the Tatsuko Statue. #celebrateit

#cherryblossom2024 Good statue for having background photo along with Majestic lake water and snow mountain on backside. Definitely worth visiting for even though area is not so much developed for tourists. If coming by car, you can park it in nearby shopping area for as minimum as 200 JPY. But if you purchase some items from shop no parking fees.Statue is not really special without the story of her (jumped into the lake to get eternal beauty) but the lake and the mountain beihnd are so beautiful, and it is not frozen even in winter.

Lake Tazawako is a beautiful lake that changes color according to the sunlight. It is the most beautiful lake in Japan. It is located in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Tohoku Region, Japan. How to get there: From Tokyo Station or Ueno Station, take the Akita Shinkansen to Tazawako Station. It takes about 3 hours. Around the lake, there are Tatsuko Statue, Kansaku (Ukiki Shrine), and many hot spring resorts on the hill to choose from. Therefore, it is a popular place for tourists to relax regularly. #discoveryourownjapan #japantohoku #akita

As in the previous article, this is about Lake Tazawa in Akita. Lake Tazawa is a freshwater lake known as the deepest lake in Japan. It is famous for the "Tatsuko Statue" (see photo 1) standing on the lakeside. The scenery here is often introduced on social media such as Instagram. It is a spectacular spot with a clear lake surface♪ There is also a small shrine called Ukigi Shrine near the Tatsuko statue⛩✨ Access: About 15 minutes by bus from JR Tazawako Station. From there, you can access the "Tatsuko Statue" by changing to a sightseeing bus that goes around the lake. There is also a way to see the Tatsuko statue from the lake surface on a sightseeing boat, but it is not very clear. #photogenicspot #spectacularview #snowscenery #LakeTazawa #Akita

Lake Tazawa is a lake located in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture. It is the deepest lake in Japan. It is a freshwater lake. It is especially famous for the statue called "Tatsuko Statue" (see the first picture) that stands on the lakeside. There are many hot springs nearby, such as Tazawako Kogen Onsen and Nyuto Onsen, and of course there are plenty of hot spring inns. This area is also at a high altitude, and there is also the "Tazawako Ski Resort" nearby, so there is a lot of demand from skiers. Access: About 15 minutes by bus from JR Tazawako Station. However, you cannot access the "Tatsuko Statue" directly. You will need to transfer to a lake tour bus once. #breathtaking view #hot spring #snow scenery #Tazawako Lake #Akita