Shrine of the Floating Log and the Derivation of its Name

Have you visited the golden statue of Tatsuko? The statue has now become internationally known for its appearance in Korean drama IRIS. The statue is standing next to a shrine called Ukiki Shrine （浮木神社）, also known as Kansagu（漢槎宮）.

Lake Tazawa is known for a number of intricate legends. The name of this small shrine also derives from a local legend about a floating log. It is said that one side of the log was showing above the water about 2-meters long but the other side was heavily sinking in the water. According to a book, Furusato Hakubutsushi by Jihei Chiba, the floating upside-down log with its branches sinking deeply was said to have resembled a dragon, which plays an important role in the legend of Tatsuko. It is why the people believed built a shrine where the log has finally settled on the shore.



Derivation of the name.


The book also says that a floating log first appeared in a book around 1770 written by Soshu Masuto, a scholar who visited Lake Tazawa and saw the floating log and unusually shaped clouds over Mt. Akita Komagatake. His associates alarmed that it was a sign of changing weather, so they quickly returned to the shore. The story was written in his book, Monsa Kikou, which introduced the lake that was formerly known as Tazawa-no-Kata and Tatsuko Kata, as a lake of floating log, “Ukiki-no-Mizuumi”.

Chiba, in his book published in 1998, also suggests that in the ancient time the people believed that a big tree carried a divine spirit so that the floating log was also seen as a divine object. Furthermore, another literature mentions that in the ancient time, the logs were transported from Tazawa Village on the other side of the lake to Kakunodate Town by running them on the lakewater. That is why the “floating log” was significant in the villager’s life and worshipped at nearby shrines.

Knowing the legends and these background stories would take you to an imaginary journey back in time. The scenery from this site, Katajiri　（潟尻）, is probably the most featured to represent Akita Prefecture!

A panel with a picture of Statue of Tatsuko and Lake Tazawa
 from a scene of IRIS welcome you at Akita Airport.

In the summer, you can feed fish (mostly Japanese dace) near the shrine. In winter, you can see the snow-covered Akita Komagatake Mountains mirrored on the lake water from here.

New Year is approaching! As we have mentioned, Goza no Ishi Shrine is a popular shrine for a new year’s visit, Hatsumode. Perhaps it’s a good idea to drive around and make another stop at this beautiful place!

Tazawako Rest House in Winter

Tazawako Rest House is a souvenir shop and restaurant on Lake Tazawa. It is located in Shirahama area, sharing a large parking space with Kyoei Paresu.

Tazawako Rest House (田沢湖レストハウス）

More tourists from South-east Asia have been visiting Tazawako area during winter for an experience with snow. February is a month when we have the largest amount of snow in year, so you may find kamakura (an igloo) in some places.

Tazawako Rest House has recently made a large spacious one in front! You can find a small alter where god of water is enshrined.

Their restaurant serves a variety of delicious noodles and combination meal.

The souvenir shop also offers many local specialties like sweets and sake. The manager’s recent favorite is Wafu Pecan Nuts (和風ピーカンナッツ；“Japanese style pecan nuts”) — candied pecan nuts are coated with white chocolate and soy powder. Delicious!

Looking for more Japanese style souvenir from Tazawako? Try Tazawako Usukawa Manju  （田沢湖薄皮まんじゅう）, steamed cake with a lot of anko (sweet bean paste) inside. The package has an illustration of Statue of Tatsuko.　

Tofu Hineri-Mochi　（豆腐ひねりもち） is another recommendation, if you like soy bean products. Akita is known as one of the major soy bean producers.

Tazawako Rest House also manages yuransen　（遊覧船）, pleasure boat, which tours around on the Lake. The service is unavailable in winter for the safety but will be available in April.

Legend of Tatsuko

Statue of Tatsuko. Picture Courtesy of Semboku City

Lake Tazawa is known for its mysterious Legend of Tatsuko. Among many folklores in Tazawako, Legend of Tatsuko, or ‘Tatsuko Densetsu’ (辰子伝説) is the best known and, without a doubt, the most important story to start with.

There are a few versions of this mysterious legend - perhaps no one knows the ‘original’ or ‘authentic’ version of it, because it has been orally passed down through generations.

Legend of Tatsuko (The Most Common Version):

Tatsuko, a girl from in In-nai area, was known for her beautiful appearance. Knowing her beauty would not last forever, she started to visit a nearby shrine at the foot of Okurasan (a mountain in Jindai area). She would visit there to make a wish night after night. On the 100th night, she finally received a message from the god of mercy —“Go north. Find the holy spring. Take a sip from there.”

Over the mountains, she passed. Finaly, she found the holy spring that she was told about. Delighted, she took a sip as told in the message. Next moment, she realized that she was now in a appearance of a dragon. This is how the poor girl, Tatsuko, became the protective dragon of Lake Tazawa.

When Tatsuko was drinking the water from the holy spring with her delicate hands, she  felt more and more thirsty. She was drinking so breathlessly and mindlessly that she started to have her face to the water. Next moment, heavy clouds appeared over the mountains, bringing a thunder storm. Soon, the pouring rain washed out everything and caused a landslide down to the lake. The lightenings were so blinding that Tatsuko couldn't even see herself. When it finally calmed down, she mirrored herself and found herself now as a dragon.
Tatsuko had been absent for way too long, her mother was unbearably anxious.  She wandered into the mountains to search for her precious daughter. The mother entered deeper and deeper into the mountains. Finally, she found the holy spring.  She desperately called her daughter's name. The calling was heard by Tatsuko, who has now become a dragon.

“Forgive me, Mother” she said. “Because I wished for the eternal beauty, now I became a dragon as a guadian of Lake Tazawa. I could not return home with you. Instead, I will keep this lake abundant of fish, so you could have it every day  to remember me. They are my offerings to you."

Soon Tatsuko disappeared into the water. The poor mother was so agonized. She screamed for the misery and threw the burning torch into the lake. As the fire was instantly put out, the torch became black and soon  turned into a school of fish - which  is what we call today as kunimasu .

Other Variations of Legend of Tatsuko:

Although the story line above is the most common variation, other variation tells that Tatsuko had gone to the lake for fishing. She caught a few and ate them. The fish were so tasty but made her very thirsty.

And the rest of the story is the same.

Statue of Tatsuko is now internationally recognized!

The After-Story with Tatsuko and Her Lover:

Legend of Tatsuko  does not end when kunimasu were born. The legends has a sequence in which involves Tatsuko and another dragon from Lake Hachirogata, Hachiro-Taro, and a monk of Lake Towada. The story is called Legend of Three Lakes (Sanko Densetsu; 三湖伝説）.

Legend of Tatsuko Told in a Movie:

In IRIS, this romantic but sad legend has been briefly mentioned. Truth or not, the original script didn’t include the legend; however, quality of storyline somewhat coincided with the drama plot as well, so that some lines were added to include a part in which the legend is told by a character. That is a behind-a-scene story on how Legend of Tatsuko made it into an international drama!

JR East's IRIS Location Tour

East Japan Railroad Company (JR East) has launched a package tour, in which you can tour to IRIS filming locations in Akita Prefecture.

The basic one-night tour will take you to Statue of Tatsuko, Hotel Ischia, Tamagawa Dam, Tsurunoyu Onsen, Tazawako Ski Area, an accommodation at a hotel, then a trip to Oga Peninsula on the following day. You can also choose to skip the second day and make it a day-trip.


The tour prices range from 30,000 – 50,000 yen, depending on the number of participants and your choice of hotel. It will be available from June 1st through September 30th. At this point, it is available only through a call or at View counter of JR East Station. Folake Tazawako Tourism Information Center also take reservations. Perhaps the most important note here: guide is available in Japanese only. But, if you are a Japanese learner or an IRIS drama fan, it would be an ideal learning experience for you.

One of the most noteworthy is Hotel Ischia. This is where you can enter a room where the deleted bedroom scenes were filmed. A guest -- both for restaurant and overnight --can enter the room for free; otherwise, the entrance fee of 500 yen will be charged. It is important to note that Ischia hosted the Korean filming staffs over 3 weeks, providing accommodations and meals. The room where Lee stayed is available on view exclusively for the overnight guests.

Ischia's IRIS combination lunch could be your choice of order here. This meal includes some items that the casts (especially Lee) had requested since he was on a strict diet.

Near the entrance to the filming set,  you will see an IRIS souvenir shop. There are many items that you can find it only at Ischia. Make sure to stop by!

Ischia has the largest number of IRIS merchandises -- the newest one is Kiss Candy. (Remember the scene where Hyun-jun gives a candy to Seung-hee by mouth?) Yes, you can buy a box here.

And of course, Tsurunoyu Onsen is a must-see!

The mixed bath where they end up doing Ashiyu, a  footbath.

The office where Hyun-jun and Seung-hee are greeted.

And yes!  Last but not the least, Tazawako's symbol that is now internationally recognized: Statue of Tatsuko and Mt. Komagatake will be visited as well.

IRIS ---Now on Air!

Earlier this year, IRIS, a Korean drama featuring Byon-hun Lee and Tae-hee Kim was shot in Tazawako. For a little over three weeks, our little town was almost invaded by the Koreans and the flocking Japanese supporters of the phenomenally-acclaimed Korean actor!! What a fun winter that was..

IRIS (The Official Website : http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/iris/ )

The drama is on air only in Korea at this point.. but it will be aired in Japan from February, 2010.
Here is a video of  "Don't forget'' a song by Shing Seung Hun.  Enjoy~



(Notice the scenes where Kim walks by the snowy lake, then embracing each other at Tsurunoyu and in front of the golden statue of Tatsuko.. Beautifully shot!! Thanks,  KBS!)