Verified in Japan

Semboku, Akita / 八幡平ドラゴンアイ（鏡沼）

Hachimantai Dragon Eye, Kagami-numa Pond

A pond near the summit of Mt. Hachimantai whose melting snow forms a dragon's eye only when conditions line up, usually from late May to early June; about 20 minutes on foot from the summit car park.

A ring of turquoise meltwater around a snow-covered centre in a mountain pond, with forest behind
The Dragon Eye at Kagami-numa (photo taken June 2026)Photo: SAGI1955 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized) · Terms of use · Source

Last official check

25 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

0

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

24 Dec 2026

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.

Opening hours

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Closed

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Admission

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Getting there

By car about 50 minutes from Kazuno-Hachimantai IC or about 40 minutes from Matsuo-Hachimantai IC to the summit; about 2 hours by bus from JR Morioka Station; about 1 hour 30 minutes from JR Kazuno-Hanawa Station by the reservation-only Dragon-go shuttle. Then about 20 minutes on foot from the summit.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking

You can drive to the car park near the summit; the pond is about 20 minutes' walk from there.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Payment

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Accessibility

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: Semboku, Akita (Japanese address: 秋田県仙北市田沢湖玉川（八幡平山頂付近）)

Official site: https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/pages/archive/40618

Location

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

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Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowds

Crowd level

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Best time to visit

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Peak time

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Busiest days

The Aspite Line is often jammed on weekends, so weekday visits are recommended.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Busiest season

The eye usually appears from late May to early June, depending on the weather; in 2026 it had almost disappeared by June 23.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Latest traveler report
None yet

There are no toilets along the Aspite Line; the only toilets are at the summit rest house.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

Visiting respectfully

  • RulesDo not go down to the pond; the snow at the edge can collapse, so stay behind the ropes.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • RulesFlying a drone here requires filing a forest entry notice with the Forestry Agency.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • Local etiquetteThe path from the car park is still snowy; wear comfortable clothes and non-slip shoes. Rubber boots can be rented at the summit rest house or the Hachimantai Visitor Center.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site

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