Gozanoishi Shrine (御座石神社) is located on the northern shore of Lake Tazawa in Akita Prefecture. The name “Gozanoishi” comes from an event in 1650, when Satake Yoshitaka, the second lord of the Akita Domain, visited the lake and sat on a large flat rock that resembled a woven mat (goza). The rock became the landmark for the site. The shrine itself wasn’t established until later, in 1911, by the local Sannojo family. It was built to honor both the historical visit and the long-standing local belief in Tatsuko, a woman of legendary beauty who became the guardian spirit of Lake Tazawa. The folktale describes a young woman who wished for eternal youth and beauty. She drank from a sacred spring after being tipped off by the bodhisattva Kannon and transformed into a dragon guardian of the lake. The shrine preserves both the historical association and the local Shinto mythology connected to the lake.

Gozanoishi Shrine is a small lakeside shrine known for its simple structure and its strong connection to Lake Tazawa’s natural scenery. The most recognizable feature is the vermilion torii gate standing on the rock linked to Satake Yoshitaka’s visit, as the view is absolutely spectacular making it a fantastic backdrop for photos. The shrine itself is dedicated to Tatsuko, and the surrounding area includes sites associated with her origin tale, this includes spots such as the mirror stone, the sacred spring, and other small landmarks tied to her transformation story. The lake’s deep blue color, one of its best-known features, forms the visual background for the torii gate. Lush green forests surround the shrine itself. Walking down the path perpendicular to the shrine and torii gate during early fall is a beautiful contrast of blues and greens on either side. The entire lake itself is surrounded by varying mountain ranges. The shrine itself is modest despite its awesome statue of Tatsuko turned half dragon or its ornate Shishi-odoshi carved into dragons. Visitors often come for the scenery, the torii gate, and the connection to the Tatsuko legend. The overall atmosphere is quiet, with nature playing the main role in defining the site.