Hidden deep within the mystical forests of Mount Hachimantai, Kagami Numa is no ordinary mountain lake. While it may look like just another volcanic pond at first glance, for a fleeting moment each year it transforms into something extraordinary—the legendary “Dragon’s Eye” of Hachimantai.
This natural wonder, which sits on the border of Akita and Iwate prefectures at an elevation of 1,613 meters, only began attracting global attention in 2016, when a Taiwanese traveler shared an aerial photo on social media. Since then, countless visitors have journeyed into the northern Japanese highlands, eager to witness this surreal sight with their own eyes.
When the Lake Becomes a Dragon’s Eye
The magic happens for just one short week each year, typically from late May to early June. As winter’s thick snowpack begins to melt, the retreating ice does not vanish evenly. Instead, pressure from the lake’s depth causes the snow to linger in the very center, forming what looks like a giant pupil. Surrounding it, the clear, emerald water creates a vibrant iris.
From above, the entire lake suddenly resembles the vivid, unblinking eye of a dragon watching over the mountains. And when the wind stirs, the central snow patch gently rotates, giving the illusion that the dragon’s eye is alive—blinking and shifting—adding to the lake’s aura of mystery.
This rare phenomenon has made Kagami Numa a must-visit destination for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone fascinated by Japan’s blend of natural beauty and folklore.
A Name Steeped in Legend
The name Kagami Numa (鏡沼) translates as “Mirror Swamp” (“kagami” meaning mirror, “numa” meaning marsh or pond). Yet the poetic nickname “Dragon’s Eye Lake” has taken on a life of its own since 2016.
Long before it became an internet sensation, however, the lake was already tied to an ancient Akita legend about two star-crossed dragon lovers: Tatsuro and Hachiro-taro.
The Tragic Love Story of Two Dragons
According to folklore, Hachiro-taro was once a young man from the Hachirogata area. After drinking from a mysterious spring, he transformed into a dragon and came to dwell in Lake Hachirogata. Tatsuro, meanwhile, was once a beautiful woman whose desire for eternal youth led her to pray to the goddess Okura Kannon. She was told to drink from a northern stream, but instead of eternal beauty, she too was transformed—into the guardian dragon of Lake Tazawa.
Despite their tragic fates, the two dragons found each other and fell deeply in love. Every autumn, Hachiro-taro leaves Lake Hachirogata to visit Tatsuro at Lake Tazawa, remaining with her through the winter. Locals say that it is thanks to his presence that Lake Tazawa never freezes, while his absence causes Lake Hachirogata to gradually grow shallower each year.
And where do these two dragons meet in secret? According to legend, Kagami Numa is their hidden rendezvous point, a sacred place where their eternal love story continues to this day.
Why You Should Visit Kagami Numa
- A rare natural spectacle – The Dragon’s Eye appears only once a year for a few days. Missing it means waiting another year.
- Breathtaking scenery – Surrounded by dense beech and maple forests, Mount Hachimantai offers pristine hiking trails and panoramic views.
- A blend of myth and nature – Few places in Japan so perfectly combine mysterious legends with natural wonders.
- Photography paradise – The Dragon’s Eye has become a dream subject for drone pilots and landscape photographers worldwide.
For travelers who wish to see Japan beyond the usual Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka circuit, Kagami Numa offers something rare: a fleeting, magical moment where myth and nature overlap. Standing before the Dragon’s Eye, you can almost feel the presence of the dragons themselves—watching, waiting, and reminding us of the beauty hidden in impermanence.