Lake Tazawa is really breathtaking. It is the deepest lake in Japan (423m), located just below the Tazawa Ski Resort. Under blue skies, the water turns into a perfect mirror and reflects the mountains around it. There is also the statue of Tatsuko, who in local legend prayed for eternal beauty—so the gods transformed her into a dragon, forever to protect the lake.

This place caters for everyone from pros to beginners. It hosted the Mogul World Cup in 2016, but instructors are still happy to help the inexperienced. In contrast to mainstream ski resorts, the slopes on a weekday are virtually empty. This makes for multiple runs and an amazing day out. The cafeteria is another adventure, with lots of hot and distinctly Japanese cuisine.

Very near by Tazawako Ski resort, variety of accommodations are available; Hotel, Hot springs Ryokan, resort inn and guest house. Mizusawa Onsen is the place not only for winter, but also you can enjoy Sakura Cherry blossoms in Spring too.

Located in Tazawa highland resort, You can enjoy a Mt.Komagatake mountain view in front and see the mystique-blue Lake Tazawa; aka deepest lake in Japan; below your eyes. The hot spring water is welling up from a middle high of the Mt.Komagatake, the hot spring water quality is a sulfur springs, clear color, make your skin smooth and keep your body warm.

Taenoyu is one of seven traditional hot spring resorts in the Nyuto-onsen-kyo Village. It has beautiful tatami rooms, delicious local food and faultless service in English and Japanese. It also has baths from two hot springs—luxury!—including pools in the open air. There is nothing better than sneaking out to watch the sunrise from a steaming bath, surrounded by pristine snow.

A number of old buildings line the street in Kakunodate. The Ishiguro House has stood for twelve generations. It is its own time capsule, filled with maps, tools, furniture and even wooden dolls from when the region was a samurai stronghold. The Aoyagi House is also fascinating, decked with an eclectic mix of local craft, gramophones, early Meiji history and cameras dating back to the 1930s.

The ‘kaba-zaiku’ industry in Semboku City dates back to the late 1700s, when it became a past-time for lower class samurai. Now a fully fledged art form, bark from the mountain cherry tree is polished and then applied to anything from tea jars to card holders and coffee tables. Each object shines with a unique lustre. Times have changed, but most of the work is still done by hand.

‘Hiburi’ is the word for ‘fire-swinging’, and this is what people do to clean away bad luck as part of the Kamakura Festival. From there you can go to see the Yokote Kamakura, two meter igloos, once built as shrines, now host to food and drink and friendly locals who call out to passersby.

The namahage demons of the Oga Peninsula are famous for making children cry—and they can certainly make grown adults jump. By tradition, men dress up in straw cloaks and wooden masks and stamp their way through neighborhoods on New Year’s Eve, drawing promises of good behavior from local children. The festival is a reenactment, complete with taiko drums, a bonfire and a wild performance.