Lake Towada National Park
Lake Towada is a double caldera lake that straddles the boundary between Aomori and Akita prefectures. It was created by a series of volcanic eruptions that begun some 200,000 years ago. As of 2018, Lake Towada is Japan’s twelfth largest lake and its third deepest. The lake is 400 meters above sea level and its circumference measures approximately 46 kilometers. Lake Towada is beautiful all year round, but it is especially popular for the views offered in late spring (May–June) and autumn (October).
Shimeitei Observation Point and the New Eight Views of Japan Stone Monument
In 1927, Tokyo Nichinichi and Osaka Mainichi newspapers called for a public vote to choose Japan’s eight best views.
Lake Towada was chosen as the best in the lake category. To commemorate this result, a stone monument was erected in 1931 at this observation point, which offers the best view of the lake.
Facing this sign, if you look to the right you can see Hakka Pass Observation Point. To the left beyond the lake, you can also see the caldera’s outer rim, Mt. Ohanabe. Visible directly to the east are the Ogura and Nakayama peninsulas.