If there is one thing Japanese folklore teaches us, it is that nature is alive, vibrant, and the keeper of ancient secrets. In Akita Prefecture, nestled among spectacular mountains, lies Lake Tazawa (Tazawako). It is Japan’s deepest lake, famous for its almost hypnotic cobalt-blue waters and a golden statue gleaming on its surface, tied to a tale of love, beauty, and metamorphosis: the legend of Tatsuko Hime.

Take a moment to unwind, as today we take you on a journey to discover a timeless myth.

The Desire for Eternal Youth

Many centuries ago, in a small village near the lake, lived a girl named Tatsuko. Her beauty was legendary, so flawless that anyone who looked at her was left breathless. However, with beauty came a deep melancholy: Tatsuko was terrified of the passage of time. She could not accept the idea of her youth fading and her radiance withering away.

Desperate to remain beautiful forever, Tatsuko began traveling every night to the shrine on Mount Okura, praying fervently to the deity Kannon. She prayed for one hundred consecutive nights until the deity, moved by pity (or perhaps to teach her a lesson), answered her: “If you wish to preserve your beauty, go north past the mountain and drink from the magical spring you find there.”

The Metamorphosis

Tatsuko rushed northward and found the crystal-clear spring hidden among the rocks. Thirsty, she began to drink. But the more she drank, the more her thirst grew. Overcome by an uncontrollable craving, she kept drinking until suddenly the sky turned pitch black, lightning struck, and the earth shook.

Looking at her reflection in the water, Tatsuko let out a scream of terror: her graceful body was now covered in shimmering scales, her hands had turned into claws, and her face had elongated. She had transformed into a giant water dragon.

Realizing her fate and filled with shame, Tatsuko cast herself into the depths of Lake Tazawa, becoming its eternal guardian and protective deity.

A Love That Never Freezes

The legend, however, does not end there. It is said that on the nearby Oga Peninsula lived another young man turned dragon, named Hachiro-taro. The two fell deeply in love, and every year during autumn and winter, Hachiro-taro would travel to Lake Tazawa to reunite with his beloved Tatsuko.

According to locals, it is the sheer strength of their warmth and profound love that ensures Lake Tazawa never freezes, even during the harsh and snowy winters of northern Japan.

Travel Tip

Today, a stunning golden bronze statue sculpted by Yasutake Funakoshi stands on the lake’s shore, depicting Tatsuko before her transformation. Visiting this place means journeying into the deepest stillness of rural Japan.

Fun fact for travelers: If you visit the lake in autumn, the striking contrast between the deep blue water, the gold of the statue, and the fiery red autumn leaves (momiji) will give you an unforgettable photo, straight out of an ancient fairy tale.