Tazawa Lake, Tohoku, Japan

4.0 (493 reviews) Spent Ranking #2 in Tohoku Bodies of Water

One of our favorite spots in Japan

Lake Tazawa is one of those places that you want to go back multiple times. It was about 3.5 hour drive from Misawa (in North/Eastern Aomori). About 1 hour west from Morioka through a picturesque mountain scenery. We camped for one night really close to the lake. The campground was located on a very hilly area with many creeks/logs etc.--that part was a bit tricky with kids. But the bathrooms were great and the commong cooking area with "sinks" was very comfortable for all four of our families camping. Swimming area is very close to the campground as well, you could walk there if you want. The beach was sandy and pretty clean. The lake is not deep at all in the area for swimming, so it was completely safe to go with small kids. But the rest of the lake is just magnificent--steep banks, dark blue water with not bottom in sight. It took as about 35 minutes to drive all around the lake. I hear, somewhere near the swimming area, you could rent bikes for a reasonable price.
Tohoku review images

Address

Tazawakokata, Semboku 014-1203 Akita Prefecture

Website

http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/sightseeing/spot/04

Current local date and time now

Monday, May 13, 2024, 21:12

User Ratings

4.0 based on (493 reviews)

Excellent

29%

Good

46%

Satisfactory

24%

Poor

Terrible

Reviews

5bobandlyana 5:00 PM Jul 10, 2011
One of our favorite spots in Japan
Lake Tazawa is one of those places that you want to go back multiple times. It was about 3.5 hour drive from Misawa (in North/Eastern Aomori). About 1 hour west from Morioka through a picturesque mountain scenery. We camped for one night really close to the lake. The campground was located on a very hilly area with many creeks/logs etc.--that part was a bit tricky with kids. But the bathrooms were great and the commong cooking area with "sinks" was very comfortable for all four of our families camping. Swimming area is very close to the campground as well, you could walk there if you want. The beach was sandy and pretty clean. The lake is not deep at all in the area for swimming, so it was completely safe to go with small kids. But the rest of the lake is just magnificent--steep banks, dark blue water with not bottom in sight. It took as about 35 minutes to drive all around the lake. I hear, somewhere near the swimming area, you could rent bikes for a reasonable price.
4DYA717 5:00 PM Aug 5, 2019
Very beautiful indigo blue lake
Very nice indigo blue lake. You can view this lake by catching bus at train station go around the lake and get back to the train station. If you're already at lakeside, you can catch the circular bus as it comes in from town, circle the lake and get off back at the lakeside shopping area before the bus heads back to the train station. It costs 810-yen for the circular ride. The bus stops for about 20 minutes at the golden statue of Tatsuko and about 10-15 minutes at the Goza no Ishi Shrine. You can ride the boat for a great shoreline views. It costs 1200-yen for a 40-,minute ride. There are lots of fishes at pier side. You can purchase a bag of fishfood for 100-yen at a small un-manned stand. The boat slows down for viewing the Goza no Ishi Shrine and then again at the golden statue of Tatsuko. There are bike rentals at the pierside shopping area along with the souvenir shops and restaurants.