Hachirōgata or Hachirō Lagoon is a lake in Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. Its formal name is Lake Hachirō , but it is also called Hachirōgata Regulating Pond . At 4 meters below sea level, Hachirōgata is the lowest natural point in Japan.
Legend
According to a legend, a man called Hachirō was transformed into a dragon and chose the lake for his home after wandering a long time. Thus, the lake was named Hachirō-gata (-gata means "lagoon"). Later, he was attracted to a woman who owned Lake Tazawa, another lake in Akita Prefecture, and moved to be with her. After that, Hachirōgata became increasingly shallower. == External links ==