14 Recommended Tourist Spots in Hachirogata, Akita Prefecture! Explore a Town Rich in Legends

Hachirogata in Akita Prefecture offers many fascinating attractions, led by two key highlights: Lake Hachiro, once Japan's second-largest lake, and the "Gannin Odori" dance with a 260-year history. In this article, we introduce 14 popular tourist spots in Hachirogata, offering diverse experiences. These include Japan’s lowest mountain, an 11-kilometer-long road lined with cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers, and parks with panoramic views of the tidelands. If you’re planning a trip to Hachirogata, Akita, be sure to use this guide as a reference.

1. Remains of Lake Hachiro

Lake Hachiro was once the second largest lake in Japan. Part of it has now been reclaimed, and the new Ogata Village was built on top of that land. The name "Hachirogata Remaining Lake" refers to the part of Lake Hachiro that remains after the founding of Ogata Village.

Even though it has been reclaimed, the lake's area is one-tenth of Lake Hachiro. It boasts an area of about 27.7 square meters, and is a national fishing mecca. There are many kinds of fish, such as black bass, crucian carp, carp and mullet. Especially during the season when the lake freezes over, smelt fishing becomes very popular.

You pitch a tent on the ice, drill a hole in the ice, drop your fishing line, and wait for a bite. This is a tourist spot in Hachirogata Town that you can enjoy even if you are not a fishing enthusiast, during a charming time. It is a two-minute drive from the roadside station "Kotooka". It is a convenient location for sightseeing in Hachirogata Town, Akita.

2. Otodono Cave

Ottodono Cave in Hachirogata Town is a cave located in Mikurahana Park, which offers a panoramic view of Lake Hachirogata. The cave was formed by waves and dates back to before Christ. In addition to enshrining the Yatsuryu Gongen and Ottodono Daigongen in the cave, the remains of a Jomon period dwelling can also be seen. The cave

also tells the story of a tragic love affair between a father and beautiful sisters who lived in the cave, as well as the legend of Hachirotaro from the Sanko Monogatari (The Tale of the Three Lakes). You can enjoy your visit even more if you learn about the history of Hachirogata Town beforehand. If you like history, this is a must-visit tourist spot in Hachirogata Town.

3. Murakumo Falls

Murakumo Falls in Hachirogata Town is located deep in the forest called Ikoi no Mori. It is a little-known tourist spot in Hachirogata Town. It was originally called Takatake-san Kannon Falls and has been counted as one of the places of worship for ascetic monks since ancient times.

Perhaps because of this, it is poorly lit and always muddy, so it is difficult to even reach the waterfall. In recent years, the Ikoi no Mori forest has finally been developed, and this mysterious waterfall in Hachirogata Town can now be enjoyed by tourists.

Murakumo Falls is located on Mt. Takatake, which was once thought to be the border with Ezo. There is a walking path from the parking lot of Ikoi no Mori, so it is easy to access. Although the waterfall has a small amount of water, it is worth seeing, as the characters for Acala are carved in Sanskrit on the rock face of the waterfall. If you are sightseeing in Hachirogata, be sure to stop by.

4. Nanohana Road

If you are planning to visit Lake Hachirogata in spring or would like to enjoy a drive around Lake Hachirogata, we recommend Prefectural Route 298, Nanohana Road. Pink cherry blossoms and yellow rape blossoms line both sides of the road. The 11km long flower road in Ogata Village has captivated many drivers to Lake Hachirogata.

The contrast with the black pines is wonderful and you will never tire of the eyes. The best time to see them is from late April to around Golden Week. Prefectural Route 298 also has a roadside (cherry blossom viewing spot), so if you want to take your time enjoying sightseeing, we recommend parking there. Ogata Village is a village with a total area of 11.2 hectares where rape blossoms bloom, so if you visit Akita in the spring, be sure to stop by.

5. Ogata Fuji (Mount Ogata)

Ogata Fuji is a rare spot known as the "lowest mountain in Japan." It is famous as a tourist spot around Hachirogata Town. Its altitude is 0m above sea level. The height from the base to the summit is 3.766m, which is exactly 1/1000th of Mt. Fuji. It is a miraculous mountain located near Hachirogata Town, which was created by reclaiming a lake.

It will make a great memento of your visit to Hachirogata, so be sure to take a photo. It is located along the main road of Hachirogata and is easily accessible. It is also close to the "Latitude and Longitude Public Marker Tower," which is rare even in Japan, so we recommend visiting it as well.

6. Ogata Village Land Reclamation Museum

The Ogata Village Reclamation Museum is a museum that displays the history of Lake Hachirogata and the process of its reclamation. The labor of those days is beautifully reproduced with dioramas and large multi-screens. You can imagine how hard it was to shrink a lake of about 22,000 hectares to one-tenth of its size.

This was done about 40 years ago, so the labor involved could be called the greatest feat of the century. It's a good idea to visit the Ogata Village Reclamation Museum while thinking about how the flora and fauna were nurtured and the village was built on the newly reclaimed land.

The Ogata Village Reclamation Museum is adjacent to the Ogata Roadside Station, so it's recommended to stop by for a drive around Akita and Lake Hachirogata. Be sure to check out the point near the entrance that indicates the height of the sea level. If you look at the exhibits after realizing that Ogata Village is a village lower than the sea level, you will feel a different kind of emotion.

7. Mikuranohana Park

Mikurahana Park in Hachirogata Town is a scenic park where you can see Lake Hachirogata, the former Lake Hachirogata. The contrast between the horizon, the sky, and Lake Hachirogata, which seems to go on forever, is wonderful and lifts your spirits. It is a scenic spot that has been loved by many writers and artists since ancient times and is the pride of Hachirogata Town in Akita Prefecture.

If you recite the poem by Masaoka Shiki in the park, "Autumn is high, the sea is clear, a single crane," you will vividly imagine the beautiful Lake Hachirogata of the past. The view of the lake, which changes depending on the era, season, and time of day, will be engraved in your heart as a lifelong memory. The best time to visit is at dusk, as you can see the horizon. Be sure to take in the sight of the brilliant red sun setting as a memento of your visit to Lake Hachirogata.

8. Ecological Park

The Ecological Park is a park that reproduces the typical natural scenery around Lake Hachirogata in a condensed form. It is a tourist spot where you can interact with nature. The park covers a spacious 8.6 hectares. The main attractions are the outdoor park, where about 20,000 plants of 150 species are planted, and the greenhouse, where you can enjoy rare flowers throughout the year.

In particular, you can enjoy rare plants that are unique to Akita in the greenhouse, which will add to the enjoyment of your trip. Other highlights include beech forests, katsura forests, and zelkova forests, as well as plant communities planted by theme, such as "waterside plants" and "satoyama plants." You can feel the atmosphere of each season, such as the fresh greenery of spring and the fallen leaves of autumn.

The park is well maintained, so it is safe for those with strollers and small children. Please visit it once to relax with your family, go on a date, or make memories at Lake Hachirogata in Akita Prefecture.

9. Gozenyanagi Shrine

Gozenyanagi Shrine in Hachirogata Town is a small shrine beloved by the god of safe childbirth. The lush willow trees that cover the shrine are very eye-catching. In fact, a tragic story is told of Gozenyanagi Shrine in Hachirogata Town. The year is 1580. A tragic internal conflict struck Miura Morinaga, the castle lord who once ruled the area around Lake Hachirogata, and his wife.

Attacked by a large group of people, Miura Morinaga barely managed to get his wife out of the castle, but she later committed suicide. His wife, who was due at the time, fled the castle with their 5-year-old son Chiyowaka. She somehow managed to survive by hiding in a cave and gave birth safely, but she followed her husband and committed suicide shortly after. She passed away at the young age of 18.

It is said that Chiyowaka, the remaining son, mourned his parents and built a shrine at the site and planted a willow tree. It is said that prayers for safe childbirth began at the shrine after the woman from the village helped him give birth and the last words of the deity were, "After I die, I will become the god of safe childbirth and protect the women of the village."

Since then, faith in Gozenyanagi Shrine has spread not only in Akita but throughout the Hokuriku region.
It is a must-visit tourist spot for tourists in Hachirogata Town.

10. Shirakami View Hot Spring – Bijin no Yu (Hotel Sun Rural Ogata)

There are many tourist facilities around Lake Hachirogata where you can take a day trip to enjoy a hot spring bath. One of these, Shirakami Panorama Hot Spring Bihada no Yu, is located in Hotel Sun Rural Ogata and is recommended for day trips to Lake Hachirogata. The golden-colored waters of the Ogata Moor Hot Spring are a high sodium salt spring that will warm your body in a short time.

It has an established reputation for leaving your skin smooth after a bath, and is popular among many women as a "beauty bath." As you would expect from an observation bath on the top floor, the view is amazing! Relax after a day of sightseeing in Hachirogata Town while gazing at Mount Moriyoshi and Mount Taihei to the east and the sunset to the west.

11. Sakyu Onsen Yumeron

"Sand Dune Hot Springs Yumeron" is a hot spring facility located in Mitane Town near Hachirogata Town. It uses natural hot spring water that springs from the sand dunes, giving it a spa resort-like atmosphere. It is fully equipped with a variety of spa facilities, including full-body baths, carbonated baths, injection baths, loyly saunas, and open-air baths.

The large bathtub and open-air bath are particularly popular. You can spend a truly luxurious bathing time while looking out at the Sea of Japan. The sunset over the sea is particularly beautiful, and is a spectacular sight that you should definitely see during your trip to Hachirogata. Why not visit after a full day of sightseeing at Hachirogata?

12. Tenno Onsen Kurara

Tenno Onsen Kurara is a day-trip hot spring facility adjacent to the Tenno Roadside Station. It is one of the largest public hot springs in the prefecture, and the facility is clean and comfortable. It is equipped with large Western-style and Japanese-style baths, and men and women can enjoy different bathing sensations on a weekly basis.

It is also adjacent to the Tenno Roadside Station Sky Tower, the Shokusaikan Kurara, which sells local specialties, the Play Square, and the History Square, so you can have plenty of fun for the whole day. Of course, as you would expect from a roadside station, there is a wide selection of souvenirs, making it the perfect way to end your tour of Lake Hachirogata. It is a hot spring that you can easily stop by on your drive to see Lake Hachirogata.

13. Ogata Village Onsen Recreation Center (Polder Gatano Yu)

Ogata Village Hot Spring Recreation Center (Polder Lagoon Hot Spring) is a day-trip hot spring facility in Ogata Village near Lake Hachirogata. The hot spring is sourced from 5 million-year-old sea strata water, and the spring quality is a brownish salt spring. It is popular among women as a "beauty bath" that makes your skin smooth.

There are a wide variety of baths, including a large bath, a reclining bath, a vibrating bath, an ultrasonic bath, and hot water. You can soothe your tired body after sightseeing in Lake Hachirogata. It is also equipped with a large bath that can accommodate 100 people at the same time, and is a popular hot spring recreation center representing Ogata Village near Lake Hachirogata.

It is about 15 minutes from Kotooka Moritake IC on the Akita Expressway via Prefectural Route 54. It is adjacent to Hotel Sun Rural Ogata, so it is also recommended for overnight stays.

14. Gannin Odori (Traditional Dance)

In Hachirogata Town, Akita Prefecture, the Gannin Dance is held every May. Gannin Dance is a traditional performing art of Hachirogata Town that was passed down about 260 years ago. It was originally a traditional performing art that was danced all over the country, but it is now designated as an "Akita Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property." The fast-paced, powerful, and unrestrained dance is very impressive.

In the middle of the dance, "Sadakuro" from the fifth act of the Kabuki Kanadehon Chushingura and his grandfather "Yoichibei" appear and liven up the place with a fun farce. The dance is usually held on Children's Day, May 5th. They perform a dedication dance at Hitoichi Shrine, then go around the town.

In recent years, they have started a performance for tourists in front of Hachirogata Station. They entertain tourists with a lot of service, such as taking commemorative photos with them. It will be an unforgettable memory of your visit to Hachirogata Town.

◎Summary

Hachirogata Town in Akita Prefecture is characterized by its many historical tourist spots, including natural hot springs that gushed out 5 million years ago, caves that still have traces of Jomon period dwellings, and traditional dances that were passed down 260 years ago. A mysterious atmosphere that blends the past and present can be felt throughout Hachirogata Town and its surrounding areas.

The town is also notable for the large number of tourist spots with historical anecdotes, such as the "Legend of Hachirotaro from the Story of the Three Lakes" and "Gozenyanagi Shrine." You can research the anecdotes of Hachirogata in advance, or go without any prior knowledge, so please enjoy the town of Hachirogata in Akita in your own way.

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14 Recommended Tourist Spots in Hachirogata, Akita Prefecture! Explore a Town Rich in Legends