019.Lake Tazawa/Akita

Lake Tazawa, located in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, is the deepest lake in Japan, with a depth of 423.4 meters. The main attraction is the breathtakingly beautiful lapis lazuli-colored surface of the lake. In summer, the greenery of the surrounding trees and the glittering surface of the lake create a wonderful harmony, and in winter, the lake gently waves in the wind in a world of silvery white, creating a mystical sight. The legend of Princess Tatsuko, which has been handed down in the area since ancient times, is an essential part of the story of Lake Tazawa. A long time ago, a very beautiful woman named Tatsuko asked the Goddess of Mercy to help her maintain her eternal beauty and youth. As a result, she became a dragon and sank to the bottom of Lake Tazawa, becoming the lord of the lake. Based on this legend, a bronze statue of Tatsura was created by the lake.

019番　田沢湖/秋田県

秋田県仙北市にある田沢湖は水深423.4mを誇る日本で一番深い湖です。 見どころは、なんと言っても息を飲むほど美しい瑠璃色の湖面。夏には周辺の木々の緑とキラキラ光る湖面の調和が素晴らしく、冬には白銀の世界の中、風に揺られて静かに波うつ湖が神秘的な景色を見せてくれます。 田沢湖を語る上で欠かせないのが、この地に古くから伝わる「たつこ姫伝説」。昔たつこという名前のとても美しい女性が、「自らの永遠の美貌と若さを保てるように」と大蔵観音にお願いしました。その結果、龍となって田沢湖の底に沈み、湖の主となったそう。その伝説をもとに湖畔につくられたのが、たつこのブロンズ像です。