Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefecture: A Deep Blue, Unfrozen Surface Even in Winter

Lake Tazawa (Tazawako) in Senboku, a city in eastern Akita Prefecture, never freezes. The winters in the area are extremely cold, but the surface of the lake keeps its deep cobalt blue color, offering a striking, almost otherworldly contrast to the snowcovered surroundings. A gold statue of a woman stands next to the lake. It represents Tatsukohime, a young woman who prayed for eternal beauty. According to legend, the goddess Kannon heard her prayers and told her where to find a fountain of youth. She d