Dragon Eye, Akita
A Strange Natural Phenomenon in Akita Prefecture
Table of Contents
About Mount Hachimantai
We actually write it in Akita, but “Hachimantai Dragon Eye” is a region mountain located at the top of Mt. Hachimantai, between the two prefectures – Akita and Iwate Prefectures.
Mt. Hachimantai is 1,613 meter high. The forested area around the summit is dotted with numerous bodies of water, including Kagami Pond which is the pond that Dragon Eye can be seen.
The mountain is beautiful in Autumn season and the Green season (summer).
About Dragon Eye
A mysterious scenery of the snow melting in the early summer in the center of the Kagami pond, which resembles the eye of a dragon (hence the name “Dragon Eye”), can be seen from the end of May to the beginning of June (we went on 30th of May).
And since the timing when it can be seen and its appearance changes depending on the amount of snowfall of the year, and the weather- various conditions such as sunlight and sky color – may influence so it is a rare sight to see; hence, the view is considered one of nature’s miracles.
The place became a popular spots between the Japanese tourists. And many people come to see this rare nature miracle.
The snow that around the Kagami Pond- Dragon Eye, is getting melting and may collapse so it is very dangerous to go down to the pond area.
So the view to the Dragon eye is from above and a little bit far. There is also a rope around for not to get closed and slip.
A video from drone-
About the Area
The area include a walking course (about 1.5 hours) with three others beautiful ponds with Observatory view.
While in Akita, May is start the summer, thanks to the high of Mount Hachimantai, the area is still covers with snow.
So the walking course is on the high altitude of snow. Also the other ponds are still frozen.
In our opinion, it was still beautiful, but worth a visiting in green season also.
At the beginning of the walking course there is no snow, but gradually the snow becoming appears until it is only snow
Megane Pond メガネ沼
The pond that near to the Dragon Eye called Megane Pond (Megane Numa) which is shining in emerald green.
Recently, it being called “Dragon’s Tears” and thanks to that naming it become popular with Dragon Eye.
Gama Pond ガマ沼
Gama Pond (Gama Numa) is needed to walk in the walking course for seeing it.
In the area there was crater created by steam explosion and in the crater the water started to collect and finally became Gama Pond.
Hachiman Pond 八幡沼
Hachiman Pond (Hachiman Numa) is also created by the water collect of the crater like Gama Numa. And also can be seen in the walking course.
What to wear
As we wrote above, the area is covered in full high of snow that becoming melting little by little, so the walking course may be slippy . So we recommend to bring a climbing shoes.
It may be cold so even if it is end of May, we recommend to bring long wear. We took with us sweaters. But thanks to the shinny day, it was warm even on the top of the mountains.
Information:
Name:
Hachimantai Dragon Eye
Fees:
Entry is free
Parking costs ￥500
Access:
Bus –
There is a direct bus from Tazawako Station in Akita. It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Cost about ￥2,090 for one way.
Car-
We recommend to use car.
We used a rental car from Morioka Station in Iwate. Takes about 1 hour to get there.
Address:
Tazawako Tamagawa, Semboku, Akita 014-1205
Website↗
(In Japanese)
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