Lake Towada Volcanic Caldera & Scenic Lake Cruise

Category: Volcanic Caldera Lake & Scenic Cruise | Location: Yasumiya, Towada City, Aomori & Kosaka, Akita

Straddling the mountainous boundary between Aomori and Akita Prefectures at an elevation of 400 meters, Lake Towada (Towada-ko) is a colossal 61-square-kilometer dual-caldera lake formed by monumental volcanic collapses between 55,000 and 15,000 years ago. Plunging to a maximum depth of 327 meters, it proudly ranks as Japan's third-deepest lake. This vast aquatic reservoir gives Towada its signature sapphire-cobalt transparency, reflecting the forested volcanic rim cliffs in absolute stillness like an ancient aquatic amphitheater. The most rewarding perspective of Lake Towada's grandeur is gained aboard the Lake Towada Sightseeing Cruise departing from the Yasumiya and Nenokuchi marinas. Gliding smoothly across the serene waters, the cruiser weaves around two rugged volcanic headlands jutting sharply into the lake's center: the Nakayama and Ogurayama Peninsulas. From the open observation decks, passengers marvel at sheer volcanic lava palisades crowned with ancient pines, which explode in late October into blazing cascades of crimson, amber, and fiery gold mirrored upon the placid depths. Along the serene lakeshore promenade at Yasumiya beneath towering cedar groves stands northern Japan's most poetic public monument: the 'Statue of Maidens' (Otome no Zo). Sculpted in 1953 by celebrated Japanese poet and artist Kotaro Takamura, this iconic bronze depiction of two facing nude maidens touching fingertips was his final sculptural masterpiece, honoring the lake's national park designation. Just steps away in the pine glade lies the mystical Towada Shrine, a historic place of water-dragon worship since the Heian period, where travelers savor fresh salt-grilled Himemasu kokanee salmon caught right from the caldera waters.