2025 Semboku Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Akita, located about 450 km north of Tokyo on the Sea of ​​Japan It is the sixth largest prefecture in Japan, with forests all over the territory and rich natural resources. The unique and excellent terroir has produced high-quality agricultural products, with rice production ranking first in the Tohoku region and sold well throughout Japan. In addition to the abundant agricultural products that make the locals proud, when talking about Akita, many people may also think of the cute-looking "Akita Dog". As the name suggests, the Akita Inu comes from Akita. It is a mountain hunting dog called "Akita Mataki" (pronounced: matagi) (winter hunter), which was bred with local dogs in the Akita area during the 16th century. It was originally provided as a reward for the purpose of boosting the morale of the samurai. Because they were originally distributed in the Odate area in northern Akita, they are called "Odate Dogs". I was lucky enough to meet a super cute Akita dog on the last morning of my trip to Akita. #GlobalTravel

Hi, here is a travel guide for Tazawako, Semboku, Akita Prefecture: • Transportation: • Self-driving: Tazawako is located in Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Driving is the most flexible way to get to Tazawako, and you can easily drive around the lake to enjoy the scenery. • JR train: You can take the Akita Shinkansen or JR Tazawako Line to "JR Tazawako Station". It takes only 17 minutes from JR Kakunodate Station, 1 hour from Akita Station, and 40 minutes from Morioka Station. • Lake bus: • After arriving at JR Tazawako Station, you can buy a "Lake Bus Pass" for JPY 1,190 per person. The lake bus is the best way to visit Tazawako, and it will stop at the two major attractions, "Tatsuko Statue" and "Gozanoishi Shrine", for visitors to take photos. • Recommended attractions: • Tatsuko Statue: A symbol of the legend of Tazawako, it is a masterpiece by sculptor Professor Bonten Yasutake. The golden and graceful Tatsuko Statue stands on the lakeside. • Gozanoishi Shrine: Dedicated to the legendary Tatsuko, it also has the "Seven-colored Tree" that grows seven kinds of trees from one tree, and the lakeside torii. • Lake cruise: • From April 26 to November 5 every year, you can take a cruise to enjoy Tazawako. Address: 148 Haruyama, Tazawako, Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Business hours: 9:00–16:00. Take a bus from JR Tazawako Station for about 15 minutes, get off at "Tazawako Rest House", and walk for 1 minute. • Hot spring experience: • Tsurunoyu Bekkan Yamanoyado: Located at 1-1 Tazawako Tazawa Sendatsuzawa Yunotai, it is a curved house built with Tazawa's miscellaneous wood, offering indoor and open-air hot springs, all of which are private hot springs, suitable for guests. The hot spring is a sulfur-sodium-calcium-chloride-bicarbonate spring, suitable for treating various skin diseases and promoting health. • Food experience: • You can taste local Akita cuisine, such as water and land dishes, farmhouse pickles, and hot white rice, paired with local sake. • Recommended accommodation: • Katakuri no Hana: Located on the shore of Tazawako, it offers traditional Japanese service. The hot spring is a chloride spring, colorless and odorless, with health benefits for muscle and joint pain, chronic skin diseases, fatigue recovery, and health promotion. I hope these suggestions can help you plan a lake trip!

#2024Travel Review Lake Tazawa, a well-known natural attraction in Akita Prefecture, Japan, is not as big as Lake Towada, but it is the deepest lake in Japan with a water depth of 423.4 meters. The lake surface changes with the light and shadow, sometimes green and sometimes blue. It is quite beautiful and very suitable for therapy. The more short it becomes. Driving from Morioka to Tazawa Lake, the journey is not far and the scenery along the way is beautiful. There is less development around Tazawa Lake and it is more natural. People often ride bicycles around the lake, or float on the water with a stand-up paddle. Either way is a good choice to experience Tazawa Lake. In addition to being a power spot of nature, Lake Tazawa also has a driftwood shrine that prays for love and a statue of Tatsuko in the lake. There is also a poignant love story behind it, which adds a bit of fantasy to Lake Tazawa. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #Northeast Maple Viewing #Tazawa Lake

When mentioning famous attractions in Akita Prefecture, Japan, one must think of Kakunodate's Samurai Street, lined with historic samurai residences and roads full of autumn leaves. If you want to visit one of these houses, the most famous is the Aoyagi House, which covers 3,000 tsubo. The Aoyagi House, a samurai residence with a 400-year history in Mutsu, features a large garden of 3,000 tsubo after entering through the medicine gate. The tour route includes the Kiryuu Family Main House, the Weapon House, Shinmei Water, the Dissection New Book Memorial Hall, the Tea House, the Akita Folk Museum, the Night Cherry Blossom Hermitage, and the Samurai Tool Museum. In addition to viewing the early samurai lifestyle, you can also experience activities such as samurai swords, antique markets, and wearing samurai armor, which is quite interesting. The garden, covering 3,000 tsubo, is planted with many towering cedar and maple trees, turning golden and red in autumn, making it very beautiful. Kakunodate's entire Bukeyashiki Street attracts many tourists. With its old thatched houses and maple street scenes, it has a Kyoto-like atmosphere, hence it is known as the 'Little Kyoto of Mutsu,' making it a great place for photos. The Aoyagi House also has a tea shop and a dining hall, so you can rest in the tea house if you get tired. Overall, it is a very leisurely trip.

Nestled in the Tohoku region of Akita Prefecture, Nyuto Onsen is a hidden gem known for its legendary hot springs. Among them, the 'Tsurunoyu' Onsen is the most famous, with its milky white waters. Booking a stay here can be challenging, so it's advisable to make reservations 4-6 months in advance. Nyuto Onsen boasts 10 different hot spring sources, each with unique colors such as brown, blue, white, and clear. 'Tsurunoyu' is particularly enchanting in winter when thick snow blankets the area, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. With a history of over 300 years, 'Tsurunoyu' features traditional thatched-roof buildings. In addition to separate outdoor baths for men and women, there is also a mixed-gender outdoor bath. There are nine types of hot springs available, as shown in the last image. The milky white waters leave your skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated. This unique hot spring experience is truly memorable. Hotel Name: Tsurunoyu Bekkan Yama no Yado (10 rooms). Transportation: Take the Shinkansen to JR Tazawako Station, transfer to the 'Nyuto Line' bus for 40 minutes, get off at 'Arupa Kumakosa,' and take the hotel shuttle for 10 minutes to reach your destination. Address: 1-1 Tazawa Senzatazawa Yunodai, Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture. #JapanTravel #HotSprings #Akita

Embark on a unique adventure at Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen, two hidden gems in the Nyuto Onsen area. To reach these secluded hot springs, purchase the Nyuto Onsen Tour Pass, available at local inns, and take the tour bus that conveniently drops you off at these locations. During our visit, we chose Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen for their enchanting mixed-gender baths surrounded by a snowy forest landscape. Upon arrival, we found the place empty, allowing us to capture some beautiful photos. However, as more visitors arrived, photography became impossible. Remember to bring a large towel for changing, as the dressing area is only shielded by a curtain. Embrace the experience with confidence, and remember, if you don't feel awkward, neither will others. We even encountered a fellow bather from Tsurunoyu again at Kaniyu Onsen, highlighting the friendly atmosphere. Overall, this was an extraordinary and highly recommended experience. #HotSpring #JapaneseOnsen #TravelTips

RUto Onsen is a renowned hot spring village in Japan, celebrated for its seven unique hot springs, each offering distinct benefits and experiences. Visitors can enjoy the serene mountain landscape, lush forests, and waterfalls while soaking in the hot springs, making it a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. This article provides a comprehensive guide to experiencing the charm of RUto Onsen, including recommended activities, nearby attractions, and local cuisine. - ♨️ The Seven Hot Springs 1. Tsurunoyu Onsen: The oldest, with a thatched roof, offering a historical ambiance. 2. Kuroyu Onsen: Known for its abundant water supply. 3. Yama no Yakuto: Retains the nostalgic feel of old therapeutic baths. 4. Myou no Yu Onsen: Features an open-air bath with waterfall views. 5. Ganiba Onsen: Ideal for a forest bathing experience. 6. Ookama Onsen: A former schoolhouse, exuding a retro atmosphere. 7. Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen: Offers the most modern facilities. - ♨️ Top 3 Recommended Onsens in Nyuto Onsen Village ▪️ Tsurunoyu Onsen: A representative secret hot spring of Akita, popular for its secluded mountain setting. ▪️ Kuroyu Onsen: The most remote in Nyuto Onsen Village, discovered around 1674, with over 350 years of history. ▪️ Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen: The most modern accommodation in the village, recently renovated for convenience. - 📆 Best Seasons to Visit Nyuto Onsen The best times to visit are autumn and winter. ▪️ Autumn: From mid to late October, the hot spring village is adorned with autumn leaves, offering a quintessentially Japanese scenic view. ▪️ Winter: Experience the luxury of soaking in warm hot springs while surrounded by a snowy landscape, including the unique "snow-viewing bath" experience. - 🎫 Onsen Tour Pass For those planning to visit multiple hot springs, the "Onsen Tour Pass" is recommended. For just 1,800 yen, guests can enjoy day trips to seven inns, a great value. The pass is exclusive to guests of the seven inns and includes shuttle bus service around Nyuto Onsen Village. - 🍝 Popular Local Cuisine 1. Sengan Toge Chaya Tazawako Main Store: Famous for its "sweet oden." 2. Shokujidokoro Iori: Popular dishes include salt-grilled rockfish and yam pot. 3. Soba Goro Tazawako Station Front: A small soba noodle shop with only 20 seats. - 📸 Recommended Nearby Attractions Tazawako, Dakigaeri Gorge, Kansagu (Ukiki Shrine) #NyutoOnsen #NyutoOnsenVillage #JapanHiddenTravel #JapanOnsenTravel #JapanOnsenInns

A drive-in restaurant [Tazawako Kyoei Palace] built on Japan's deepest cobalt blue lake, Lake Tazawa. You can meet big, round Akita dogs❤️ Just watching them sleep is cute♪ The Akita Sankei are also kept here, and one that caught my eye was the natural monument "Koeyoshidori"✨ It is said that they can sing gracefully and fluently for about 15 seconds at a time. I waited to hear their low, majestic voice, but they were in a bad mood and didn't chirp😂 In the restaurant, you can eat a limited number of chewy fresh Inaniwa udon noodles, and you can watch a demonstration of Inaniwa udon making in the souvenir corner. Only in Akita can you see the manufacturing process of Inaniwa udon noodles being expertly stretched♪ The parking lot is large and there are toilets for groups🚗 📍Address: 148 Tazawa Haruyama, Tazawako, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Restaurant opens from 11am #LakeTazawa #Akita #AkitaTrip #AkitaDrive #0yenTripNovember

[Coffee House Mizuumi] Akita specialties come together✨Kiritanpo + Inaniwa udon⭐️ The noodles are shiny and chewy, and the hot soup is a delight for your cold body. It's right in front of the station, so it's easy to stop by, and there's a souvenir shop on the premises where you can buy dried Inaniwa udon noodles. Personally, I recommend the "Inaniwa Somen" leftover noodles, which are a good deal and delicious💡 Tazawako Station isn't that big, and it has the image of a slightly rural station, but I was surprised to see a Shinkansen train casually parked on the platform that was within reach😊 In addition to table seating, the restaurant also has tatami seating. 💰Price per person: Kiritanpo Inaniwa Udon 1,050 yen 📍Location: Genzaemonno, Ihonai, Lake Tazawa, Senboku, Akita 🕰️Opening hours: 11:00-17:00 Closed on Wednesdays #LakeTazawa #LakeTazawaStation #Akita #AkitaTrip #0YenTripNovember

#郊遊 #100 Kinds of Traveling Ways I traveled to Senboku and Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture during my free trip to Tohoku, Japan. I found that the locals brought their families to #郊遊 點 #抱返川谷 on weekends. The valley trails along the mountains and rivers have phytoncides and forest bathing, as well as suspension bridges and waterfalls, and shrines to visit. It is very suitable for a walk. From early October to early November, it is the autumn leaf season in the Kakufu Valley. During the event, there are shuttle bus services from Kakunodate Station and Tazawako Station, as well as valley walks, performances, vendors, etc. This time it happened to be the end of the autumn leaf season, and we could still feel a large number of local people coming to the Baofan Valley for an outing. The Baofan Valley gave me the feeling that it was a bit like the Shakadang Sermon in Taroko. The deep blue stream cuts through the steep cliffs on both sides to form strange rocks, which is a very special natural landscape. It passes by the Miko Stone, Baofan Shrine, the God's Rock Bridge, the Tunnel Cave, the Vow Bridge, and the Looking Back Tong. The entire journey is 1.5 kilometers and the round trip takes about 1 hour, which is quite approachable. #JapanTohokuFreeTravel #Kakunodate #BaofanKeiku #Outing #100TravelWays

#GINKGO #100 Ways to Travel In addition to red leaves in autumn in Northeast Japan, yellow leaves are also indispensable #gingko. During this free trip to Northeast Japan, I visited several scenic spots where ginkgos are in full bloom. I share them as follows: #Kakunodate is known as Oku's Little Kyoto, especially the street in the samurai house. The maple leaves and ginkgo trees bloom at the same time, dyeing the entire thatched house of the samurai house in a golden red. It is really beautiful! #Morioka Castle Ruins Morioka Castle, located close to the river and located high up, is full of cherry blossoms, maples, and ginkgo trees. With the remains of the city wall as the background, the golden ginkgo trees stand tall and straight, giving it a unique sense of history. # aomori Ginkgo is a street tree in Aomori. Ginkgo trees are planted on both sides of the main road extending to the harbor next to A-Factory, but the intervals are a bit wide. Each blooming ginkgo has a lonely beauty. #中野山 Although it is a well-known maple viewing spot, there are still huge ginkgo trees along the maple viewing platform. Especially at the maple viewing platform, there are whole yellow leaves, overwhelmingly dyeing the entire mountain forest yellow, which is quite healing. #OiraseStream The most popular natural attraction in Northeast Japan, the gurgling stream, the red and yellow colors of autumn, and the sunlight shining through the gaps between the maple leaves and ginkgo trees, are as beautiful as a painting. There are many kinds of trees in Oirase Stream, including red leaves, ginkgo, cedar and other color-changing deciduous trees. Once the seasons change, it is even more beautiful and it is extremely pleasant to walk along it. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #gingko #红叶 #100 ways to travel

#helloautumn The valley behind the ryokan is volcanically active and can be viewed from a very attractive network of walking trails. A two kilometer long circular route takes you past all the major sights, including many bubbling mud ponds, hissing sulfur vents and hot water streams, as well as Oyunuma Pond, a large body of hot water and mud with numerous miniature mud volcanoes.

#helloautumn Kakunodate is known as the Samurai District for good reason. Scattered throughout the town are remnants of the Satake clan’s great empire. Although the Satake clan was on the losing side of the Battle of Sekigahara, the new Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu showed fellow samurai some respect. After drastically reducing the land the Satake clan controlled, he allowed the clan, like others he had dominated, to join his new government if they behaved themselves. Today, the descendants of the wealthiest samurai families preserve and proudly display their houses that survived the war-torn country.

After about 10 minutes, we arrived at the second attraction, Gozano Stone. The driver will also tell you the boarding time when you get off the bus. This stop only has 10 minutes, so fast! This station is mainly about the Gozaishi Shrine. After getting off the bus, walk forward and you will see the torii gate. But this road is really beautiful. I couldn’t help but stop and take a photo. And of course you have to take a picture of the most important Gozaishi Shrine here, the torii gate. The red torii gate, the blue sky and the wild scenery. The whole scene is so touching that it’s unreal. This unique tree is right next to the torii gate There is only one tree trunk but there are actually 7 kinds of plants growing on it. It’s super cool. I believe you can see something special even more in spring and summer.

There are several ways to get to Tazawako by public transportation, and we chose the most convenient Shinkansen. Take the red Akita Shinkansen and you can directly transfer to the Tazawako Lake Tour Bus at the station. The platform at Tazawako Station is even more sunny. It doesn't look like a Shinkansen platform at all. The whole expanse of white snow is really beautiful! It actually takes about 10 minutes to get there from Kakunodate Station. I suggest you come back from a far distance. You can even see the sunset if you plan to go to Tazawako in the afternoon. There are also many tourist information available here. If you need tourist information, you can get a lot of information here!

Many people who travel to Akita will come to the Samurai Residence. Usually, many people will arrange a half-day tour. I highly recommend that you come here early in the morning and have lunch here. I highly recommend that you eat at Sakura-no-Sato. Here you can eat Akita's super delicious Hinai-no-chicken, udon, and rice sticks. The service is also super good and has a Japanese style. It is definitely recommended for lunch in Kakunodate, Akita. You must come and try it.

There are many cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku, Japan, but because of the high latitude, the snow scenery in these places is also very beautiful. This time we took the Shinkansen from Morioka to see the super white snow scenery and rural style along the way. The first stop we took the Shinkansen to Kakunodate, the most important attraction here is the samurai residence. After the epidemic, no one took photos at all. I was so happy to play in the snow and enjoy the snow scenery of the samurai residence in Kakunodate in winter. Let's take you to play here. Kakunodate is not only cherry blossoms, the snow scenery is also super beautiful! And I also saw the cute Akita dog

[Access] About a 20-minute walk from Kakunodate Station Along the Samurai Residence Street [Points] ~Feel the atmosphere~ It is said that the Kawarada family residence is an architectural style that has been inherited from the Edo period. The front room retains the Shoin-zukuri style that is unique to this region. Large trees such as weeping cherry, fir, katsura, pine, and ginkgo are planted within the residence. It's a good idea to take your time and look around. *Information current as of May 2023. #Tourist Spot

[Access] About a 20-minute walk from Kakunodate Station Along the Buke Yashiki Street [Points] Odanoie is a samurai residence that is also a designated historic site of Senboku City. It is said that the family was subordinate to the Imamiya clan and then became a vassal of the Satake Kita clan. It is said to be the residence of a mid-ranking samurai. Originally, they served through martial arts, so it is said that there used to be a dojo on the right side of the gate. It is the first residence along the Buke Yashiki Street, so be sure to go in. *Information as of May 2023. #Tourist Spot

[Access] About a 20-minute walk from Kakunodate Station Along the Samurai Residence Street [Points] ~Sightseeing, dining, and souvenirs are all available here~ The Aoyagi family home has six museums, including the main house, armory, and Kaitai Shinsho Memorial Museum, on a 10,000m2 site. Swords of the same weight as those used by people at the time are on display and can be held. There are also restaurants and souvenir shops, so you can relax and enjoy your stay. If you are sightseeing in Kakunodate, please stop by. *Information as of May 2023. #Tourist Spot

[Access] From Tazawako Station, take a bus for about 15 minutes to the shore of Lake Tazawa It takes about an hour by car to go around the whole lake [Points] -If you come to Lake Tazawa, you should go around it!- I found a way to go around the vast Lake Tazawa efficiently. This is a bus that goes around the lake from Tazawako Station. By taking this bus, you can efficiently go around the Tatsuko statue, Gozaishi Shrine, and more. Going around Lake Tazawa is hard, but since you can't come here often, why not go for it? *Information as of May 2023. #Tourist Spots

[Access] About a 10-minute walk from Kakunodate Station Nishinomiyaya [Points] ~Enjoy the charming interior~ Nishinomiyaya Restaurant Kitakura is a little secluded, so it's a hidden gem. They are famous for their Inaniwa udon and Hinai chicken oyakodon. Inaniwa udon is also available in a mini size, so you can order the oyakodon and add a mini Inaniwa udon to enjoy both. It's a relaxing space, so be sure to visit. *Information as of May 2023. #gourmet

#日本酒店 #日本景点 #日本好去 #日本自由行 #日本旅行 #日本旅游攻略 #Akita #Tazawako Onsen Village ♨️🏩 Sanluoso is located in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, in Akita Komagatake, a traditional Japanese-style inn offering 1 night and 2 meals on the Tazawako Plateau👘. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

I had wanted to visit this hot spring the last time I came to northeastern Japan Must go this time! When booking opens 3 months ago Book now on the official website The scenery here is so beautiful Myono Ono is relatively new and beautiful among so many hotels in Nipple Hot Spring Village Sure enough, I was not disappointed The staff at the hotel is very polite The dining is better among the many hot spring hotels The portion is generous The hot springs are also unbeatable Will definitely come back and stay again! #hot spring hotel #japan #hot spring #nipple hot spring town

This trip to Northeast Japan went to Kakukan It was to take the Akita inland mini train to Arenhe and go up to Mount Moriji to see the ice trees The Akita inland minitrain departs from Kakakukan There is only one car train All the trains had pictures of Akitas on board Even the seats have Akita Inu motifs Very cute The scenery at every stop after the drive is breathtaking It was dizzying to see Even if you are not going to Mount Moriji, it is well worth a seat #Japan #Kakukan #Moriyoshiyama #Akita Inland Line

Five-day tour of Northeast Japan | Don't waste a single minute of your JR PASS① ||| It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to go to Northeast Japan with friends. The first thing to do is to buy the JR PASS Tohoku 5-day ticket (except for foreign tourists, foreign residents in Japan can buy it with just their passport). For each trip on the Shinkansen, you can use this coupon to exchange for a designated seat at the machine or window. Unlimited exchanges (should be). We exchanged for a train in advance but missed it, so we directly exchanged for the next train at the machine without any problem. This step is worth noting: please please keep this JR PASS safe, because once it is lost, there is no way to retrieve it except to buy a new one. (My friend lost it on the second day and had to buy a new one, which was very sad.) Next, let me share our five-day-four-night itinerary: ❄️DAY1: Tokyo → Sendai → Morioka First, I went to the Northeast to check out the statue of Lu Xun, and next to the statue was the Lu Xun Museum, where they had his report card from back then, haha! After leaving the university, I searched for a highly rated restaurant nearby and had a lunch of beef tongue prepared in two ways, grilled and stewed, for just over 1,000 yen, which was very satisfying. Then I took a bus to the area near the Da Guan Yin temple, where you can actually go inside and see over 100 small Buddha statues. After that, I had a sweet soybean dessert near Sendai Station and ordered a soybean milkshake to take on the Shinkansen. In the evening, I chose to stay in Morioka, where the hotels near the station were very cheap and they even gave me a 2,000 yen voucher. I went to a restaurant that served Morioka cold noodles and ordered a set meal of cold noodles and grilled meat, which just happened to use up the voucher. ❄️DAY2 Morioka → Hachinohe → Aomoriya Actually, I wanted to go to the Tenshotei Art Museum that day, but I overslept and didn't have time, so I could only leave regrets. I went straight to the Hachinohe Shokudo Center seafood market when I arrived in Hachinohe. There is a special bus for 100 yen at the bus stop, which takes about ten minutes. Then you can buy seafood in the market and rent a grill to cook and eat by yourself. The rental fee for the grill is 400 yen per person, and it comes with basic soy sauce and salt. Eat on time and take the bus back to Hachinohe Station (remember to plan the time to stay in the market, as the bus runs once an hour). I booked the Aomoriya hotel, which has its own courtyard. It's beautiful when it snows, and there is a sleep demon lamp. You can take a half-hour walk around and come back to the starting point, where there is a footbath to soak in. Back at the hotel, you can continue to soak in the hot spring and drink apple juice. I made an appointment in advance for the Sleep Demon Festival performance, which costs 1500 yen per person. ❄️DAY3 Aomoriya → Aomori → Akita Take a bus from Aomori Station to Aomori Prefectural Museum of Art. Although we only had a brief visit due to time constraints, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and many cute details of this museum. When we returned to the station to take the Gonō Line, we found out that the starting section was suspended due to heavy snow. A bit confused, we asked the station staff who told us to take another bus to a certain station and then catch the Gonō Line from there. We had reserved a private compartment on the Gonō Line in advance, and although the weather was bad that day, there was a unique beauty to it. We slowly enjoyed the sea view all the way to Akita. We had planned to eat the famous Akita dish "Kiritanpo Nabe", but because I was lazy and didn't make a reservation, we couldn't eat at the designated restaurant.

This is somewhere near Lake Tazawa, Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Sorry, I don’t know the exact location as this was a random stop along the drive around Lake Tazawa. >.< The sunflowers are so pretty! You can see the view of the lake and mountains in the background too! It was my first time seeing real sunflowers! Who would’ve known that there is a random sunflower plantation along the roadside? #akita #japan

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 ~