Cradled deep within Akita Prefecture, Lake Tazawa is renowned for its depth and striking blue color. While often associated with winter scenery, the lake reveals a different charm from spring through summer, as the Tohoku cherry blossoms bloom along the shoreline and the surrounding highlands turn vibrant green. It is an ideal season for exploring the area’s natural beauty at a relaxed pace.
To fully experience these seasonal highlights—the perfect Tohoku summer travel or spring getaway, a stay near the lake is essential, and Tazawako Lake Resort hotel stands out as a welcoming base for exploring Lake Tazawa’s landscapes and activities. From here, Tohoku Japan travel is effortless and travelers can easily plan their days around seasonal sightseeing, outdoor experiences, and nearby cultural attractions, making it an ideal choice for enjoying the area at its best.
How to enjoy Lake Tazawa in spring and summer
Lake Tazawa is Japan’s deepest lake, reaching a depth of 423 meters, and is known as one of Akita Prefecture’s traditional “Three Lakes Legends.” Its clear blue waters shift in tone with the seasons, and during spring and early summer, the surrounding fresh greenery makes lakeside walks especially enjoyable.
Beyond the lake itself, a variety of nearby attractions and seasonal activities invite visitors to explore the area more deeply. Here’s how to fully enjoy the area in spring and summer:
Lakeside legends and seasonal scenery
Lake Tazawa’s identity is deeply shaped by the legend of Princess Tatsuko, who is said to have transformed into the lake’s guardian deity after wishing for eternal beauty. One of the most iconic places to encounter this story is the Tatsuko Statue, a golden figure standing along the lakeshore. In spring, sakura (cherry blossoms) frame the statue, creating one of the most memorable seasonal scenes around the lake.
Ukigi Shrine and Gozaishi Shrine further connect visitors to the area’s folklore. Both are associated with Princess Tatsuko and are known for blessings related to beauty, matchmaking, and good fortune. The bright red torii gate at Gozaishi Shrine, the rare Nanairogi (Seven-Colored Tree) growing beside it, and sacred springs tied to the legend make the area a popular stop for both cultural exploration and photography. For a broader perspective, the Lake Tazawa Sightseeing Boat, operating from late April to early November, offers a relaxed way to take in the lake’s clear waters, mountain scenery, and legendary sites from the water.
Cycling, hiking, and nature walks
Spring and summer are the best seasons to experience Lake Tazawa actively. One of the most popular ways to explore is cycling around the lake, a scenic loop of about 20 kilometers. While the route itself can be completed in one to 1.5 hours, allowing extra time makes it easy to stop at viewpoints, shrines, and lakeside spots along the way. The route is especially popular with international visitors and casual cyclists alike.
For those who prefer walking or hiking, the surrounding area offers plenty of options. Mount Moyamori a conical mountain with spiritual significance, is well suited for gentle hikes and nature walks during the warmer months. Kenmin no Mori (Prefectural Forest), laid out like a map of Japan with trees from different prefectures, is another peaceful place for strolling beneath fresh greenery. Seasonal highlights such as the Tamagawa Submerged Forest, visible from May to mid-June as water levels recede, offer a rare and photogenic natural scene unique to early summer.
Culture, history, and day trips beyond the lake
Beyond the lakeshore, Lake Tazawa is surrounded by destinations that add cultural depth to a spring–summer stay. The Kunimasu Future Museum provides insight into the lake’s environmental history and the story of the Kunimasu fish, once thought extinct and later rediscovered. Through exhibits and videos, visitors can learn about local life, ecological change, and efforts to preserve the lake’s future.
A short trip from Lake Tazawa leads to Kakunodate, a former samurai town often called the “Little Kyoto of Michinoku.” Its beautifully preserved streets are especially famous for weeping cherry blossoms in spring, drawing visitors from across Japan.
Other rewarding excursions include the lush forests and suspension bridge views of Dakigaeri Gorge, the long-established Nyuto Onsen Village for day-use hot spring bathing, and traditional experiences such as visiting Ando Brewery, where Akita’s food culture and historic architecture come together.
Flavors of Akita to try and take home
Akita’s local cuisine reflects the region’s rich natural environment and long culinary traditions. Dishes centered on Hinai Jidori chicken, prized for its deep flavor, appear in specialties like the Akita kiritanpo nabe and damako nabe, where grilled rice sticks or soft rice dumplings are simmered in savory broth—flavors visitors can also take home in souvenir hot pot sets.
Other regional favorites include Inaniwa udon, known for its thin, smooth, hand-stretched noodles, and iburi-gakko, a uniquely smoky pickled radish from Akita’s snow country. Seasonal and preserved seafood traditions shine through shottsuru nabe, made with fermented fish sauce, and dishes featuring hatahata (sailfin sandfish).
For sweets and light treats, travelers can try nostalgic Baba-Hera ice cream or the soft castella-style bun Kinman, while Akita Inu-themed snacks make charming souvenirs that celebrate the prefecture’s beloved dog breed.
Tazawako Lake Resort as your base in Akita
With so many seasonal attractions within easy reach in Akita, Tazawako Lake Resort hotel offers a comfortable and well-located base for exploring the heart of the highlands and, of course, the lake.
The hotel is designed as an evolving, experience-based resort where guests can immerse themselves in Akita’s landscapes while enjoying modern comfort. Views stretch toward Mount Akita-Komagatake, and the atmosphere balances regional tradition with a relaxed, contemporary stay.
Here’s everything waiting for you at Tazawako Lake Resort:
Guest rooms for every travel style
The resort offers five room types to suit different travel styles: Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, Japanese–Western rooms, pet-friendly rooms, and glamping houses. Most guest rooms look out onto open, scenic views that bring the surrounding highlands into the stay itself.
The rooms are generously sized with an open layout that suits longer stays, particularly for Western travelers. Japanese-style rooms offer a serene setting shaped by natural wood textures, while Japanese–Western rooms feature a refined, contemporary design. Western-style rooms reflect the inviting character of a mountain lodge, providing a restful place to recharge after a day outdoors. The pet-friendly rooms, meanwhile, are equipped with cages, toilet sheets, deodorizer, and food bowls, making it easy to travel with pets without extra packing. Each room includes local Japanese tea sweets for the number of guests, a small touch of hospitality that also introduces regional flavors.
For those wanting a more unusual stay, the glamping houses provide an outdoor atmosphere that keeps nature close while maintaining comfort. The glamping field offers a more immersive nature experience surrounded by the greenery of the Tazawako Highlands. Guests can stay in special JYUBAKO houses created through a collaboration between outdoor brand SNOW PEAK and architect Kengo Kuma, combining design and outdoor living in a compact, functional space. Evenings around a bonfire under the stars add to the sense of escape.
Hot springs with seasonal views
The resort’s bathing facilities center on natural hot spring water drawn from the source, offering a soothing way to unwind after a day of travel. The spacious public bath is complemented by a sauna, allowing guests to enjoy a full relaxation cycle in a calm, indoor setting designed for comfort in any weather.
The open-air bath provides a different atmosphere, where guests can soak while taking in seasonal views that shift throughout the year, from fresh greenery to clear skies. After the sauna, a cold-water bath is available for cooling down, helping refresh the body and ease travel fatigue.
Please note that the free-flowing spring water is available only in the open-air bath, and the water is heated and diluted.
Dining showcasing Akita’s flavors
At the entrance to the restaurant, there are decorated lanterns that evoke the Akita Kanto Festival, one of Tohoku’s three major festivals and designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Although the festival itself takes place each August, this display allows visitors to feel its energy year-round and serves as a memorable photo spot.
Meals are served in a spacious restaurant with large windows overlooking seasonal scenery. Private rooms with both tatami and chair seating are available by reservation, so make sure to reserve if you’re in a group.
Buffet-style meals feature around 60 dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. Guests can enjoy specialties such as Hinai Jidori chicken, Akita Komachi rice, kiritanpo nabe, iburi-gakko, and tofu made with local water. A live kitchen prepares sizzling teppanyaki beef steaks, while drink selections include a wide range of Akita sake, reflecting the region’s reputation as a renowned sake-producing area, along with optional all-you-can-drink plans.
Facilities for leisure and comfort
Beyond the baths and the restaurant, the resort offers a wide range of on-site facilities that make it easy to spend a full day relaxing.
A lounge area provides complimentary self-service drinks, massage chairs, an ice machine, microwave, and even after-bath ice cream. Families will appreciate the kids’ corner with slides and picture books, while the game corner features table tennis, billiards, darts, and crane machines. There is also a manga library with around 2,300 volumes, open until 10pm.
The gift shop carries local specialties, Akita Inu goods, regional sweets, kiritanpo cup soup, Akita craft beer, salted salmon, and even skincare products made with ingredients from the local Taka-Shimizu sake brewery. A unique highlight is the Taka-Shimizu sake face mask, formulated with ingredients derived from the long-established Akita sake brewery “Taka-Shimizu.” Blended with Junmai Daiginjo sake and sake lees extract crafted during Akita’s winter brewing season, the mask is designed to deeply moisturize skin prone to dryness, making it a distinctive beauty souvenir from the region.
Easy access for exploring Lake Tazawa and Akita
Tazawako Station is served by the Akita Shinkansen as well as local trains on the Tazawako Line, providing convenient rail access from major cities and regional hubs. From the station, guests can use the resort’s complimentary shuttle bus (advance reservation required), which runs three times daily, or take a 10-minute taxi ride to the property in the Tazawako Highlands.
For those traveling by car—the most recommended option during spring and summer, the resort offers free parking. Having a car makes it easier to explore surrounding viewpoints and seasonal attractions, creating the perfect opportunity for Akita nature travel at your own pace while using the resort as a comfortable base.
Akita Japan travel is perfect for those seeking scenic countryside and seasonal beauty. And with its blend of natural surroundings, cultural touches, hot spring relaxation, and regional cuisine, Tazawako Lake Resort provides more than just a place to stay in Akita—it has everything you need for your journey and exploration. In spring and summer, when fresh greenery, open skies, and comfortable temperatures define the landscape, the resort offers an ideal base for discovering the scenery and flavors that make the Lake Tazawa area so distinctive.
