The mystical Lake Towada offers beautiful panoramic views reflecting the surrounding scenery of blue skies, verdant greens and a riot of autumnal colours on its serene surface.

Located in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Lake Towada is a crater lake rimmed by the crater’s mountainous edge and is the source of the Oirase Mountain Stream. The lake is 46km in circumference and has a maximum depth of 327m making it the third deepest in Japan. Crater lakes are topographic depressions formed by massive volcanic eruptions and subsequently filled with rain water over long periods of time. Come and be overwhelmed by this creation of enormous volcanic energy and its million years of history! The lake is known as the “Mystic Lake” as it never freezes during winter despite its location in Japan’s northern highlands.

The lake is surrounded by a natural grove of mainly beech trees. The seasonal scenery is enchanting with spring flowers, verdant summer greens, vibrant autumnal colours and winter woods blanketed with snow. The best time to enjoy verdant greens is from May to June while autumn leaves are at their best from mid to late October. Visitors can also enjoy canoeing and pleasure boat rides from April to November. Icicles and frozen waterfalls can be seen while enjoying a winter walk in snowshoes or snow ramblers (a kind of free-heel ski) from January to March.

Located on the Nakayama Peninsula jutting out into Lake Towada, Towada Shrine is a spiritual place worshipping the dragon god of water. Legend has it that a trainee monk who defeated a dragon was enshrined here as an incarnation of the blue dragon.

Visitors should be sure to enjoy the local specialties of kokanee salmon and pond smelt as well as some of the locally produced wines!