Wineshark Japan Tour Hot Spots - Lake Towada Cruise

Address: 青森県十和田市奥瀬字十和田湖畔休屋

Tel: 017-675-2909

Website: http://www.toutetsu.co.jp/ship.html

Date of Visit: 3 Nov 2019

Lake Towada (十和田湖) is the largest crater lake in Honshū island, formed by volcanic activity that began about 200,000 years ago. The caldera lake was created by the accumulation of rainwater over a long period of time due to the depression caused by the eruption.

Located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, it lies 400 meters (1,800 ft) above sea level and is 327 m (1,073 ft) deep, drained by the Oirase river. With a surface area of 61.1 km², Towada is Japan's 12th largest lake, with its bright blue colour because of its great depth. The lake is roughly circular, with two peninsulas extending from its southern shore approximately one-third into the center of the lake.

The lake is a famous scenic spot in Aomori. Here you can see a beautiful lake like a mirror that reflects all of the sky and the surrounding mountains, and a large open panorama where you want to take a deep breath, you'll be surrounded by the emotions that you can't say in words.

There are two routes for the cruise, a circular one starting from Yasumiya (休屋) and return, another one between Yasumiya and Nenokuchi (子ノ口). Each voyage will take about 50 minutes. Apart from admiring the natural beauty of the forests and the lake, along the way you can also see 乙女の像, which was crafted in 1953 in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Lake Towada Park’s designation as a National Park.

The bronze statue is the last piece of art by the sculptor and poet Kotaro Takamura (高村光太郎), who took a year to finish this piece. The sculpture is 2.1 meters high (6.8 feet), and depicts two nude women facing each other holding their left hands. The model for the sculpture is Kotaro’s wife, Chieko (智恵子). They used black granite stone from Fukushima, Chieko’s birthplace, for the foundation of the statue.

• Cruise Boat Fee (for two) - 2,860 yen