How to Get to Lake Tazawa: Train, Bus, Rental Car and Passes

Getting to Lake Tazawa sounds remote, but it is simpler than it looks, because Tazawako Station sits on the Akita Shinkansen line that runs straight from Tokyo. The lake lies in the east of Akita Prefecture, close to the border with Iwate, and it is the deepest lake in Japan, a deep blue basin ringed by mountains. The common point of confusion is that the station is not on the water, so you need a bus or taxi for the last stretch. This guide shows how many changes each starting point involves and when a rental car is worth considering.

The fastest route at a glance

The main route is the Akita Shinkansen to Tazawako Station, then a local bus or taxi of roughly twenty minutes to the lakeshore. The best-known photo spots are the golden Tatsuko statue and the Gozanoishi Shrine with its torii standing in the water. If you are heading to the Nyuto Onsen hot spring area in the hills, a separate bus or a hotel shuttle runs from the station. Treat Tazawako Station as the hub from which everything else in the area is reached.

• Main starting points: Tokyo Station, or Morioka on the rail network
• Destination station: Tazawako (most Akita Shinkansen services stop, but check the train type before boarding)
• On to the shore: local bus, taxi or rental car

From Tokyo

From Tokyo Station, the Akita Shinkansen runs through to Tazawako with no change, taking roughly three hours and a bit. The train is coupled with the Tohoku Shinkansen for the first part and splits off at Morioka onto the Akita line's own track, so read the signs and car numbers carefully. Seats are mostly reserved. The easiest approach is to buy a ticket in advance through JR East channels or the machines in the station, and to avoid the long public holidays if you can choose your dates.

1. 1Go to the shinkansen platformAt Tokyo Station, find the Tohoku Shinkansen platforms and confirm that the train you board is bound for Akita.
2. 2Get off at TazawakoThe train passes Morioka and then Tazawako; get off when the station name appears on the car display.
3. 3Continue to the lakeWalk out to the bus stop or taxi rank in front of the station and be clear about which part of the lake you want.

From Osaka and Kyoto

There is no through train from Osaka or Kyoto to Tazawako, so you connect via Tokyo or Sendai. The common choice is the Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo Station and then a change to the Akita Shinkansen, which adds up to most of a day. The alternative is to fly into a Tohoku airport and continue overland, but check whether your origin airport has a direct flight, since services vary by season. For travellers short on time, coming from the Kansai area suits a trip genuinely centred on Tohoku, not a quick side stop.

From airports and nearby cities

The nearest airport is Akita Airport, with a bus into Akita city, from which the Akita Shinkansen runs to Tazawako in roughly an hour and a bit. Another option is Hanamaki Airport near Morioka in Iwate, which also links to Tazawako by train in a fairly short time. Nearby Kakunodate, the old samurai town many visitors pair with the lake, is only a short train ride from Tazawako, so the two combine easily into a linked itinerary.

Train vs bus vs rental car

In general, the train suits a visit of one or two days, while a rental car saves time if you want to circle the lake, reach the hot springs in the hills and stop at Kakunodate on one trip. Note that Akita winters bring heavy snow, and driving on icy roads suits only experienced drivers; ask the rental office about tyres and equipment. None of this should be judged from an article alone, so check the rental company's own terms.

Passes and tickets that may apply

The nationwide Japan Rail Pass covers JR trains, including the shinkansen under certain conditions, so it may pay off on a long multi-city trip. If you only visit Tokyo and Tohoku, a regional JR East pass could suit better. Both have prices, conditions and usage rules that change, so compare them with single tickets against your actual plan before buying. No figures are given here because they go out of date quickly; read the exchange rules and the valid area on the official JR websites.

Luggage and reservations

• For large suitcases on the shinkansen, check JR's current luggage rules, which can change, and reserve a seat that suits them.
• Many local buses have limited luggage space; with big bags, a taxi or hotel shuttle is easier.
• During autumn colour and long holidays, rooms and seats fill quickly, so book early.
• Station lockers or your hotel can hold bags before check-in, though locker sizes are limited.

In a rural area like Tazawa, mobile signal can drop out at some spots in the hills, but the station and main lakeshore areas are usually covered. An eSIM installed before you leave lets you open maps, check the latest bus times and translate signs as soon as you step off the train.

Vedi i piani eSIM per il Giappone

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