Hachirōgata

Hachirōgata (Japanese八郎 泻) is a lake in Akita prefecture in northern Japan. Its official name is Hachiro Lake (八郎 湖, Hachiro -ko ). It is also called Hachirōgata - regulation pond (八郎 泻 调整 池, Hachirōgata chōseichi ).

He was once the second largest lake in Japan after Lake Biwa. Extensive reclamation began in 1957 in order to create agricultural land. The village of Ogata was founded on October 1, 1964 the former lake bottom. The rest of the lake has an area of 27.7 km ² (18th rank in Japan).

Some see the draining of as an error because Japan had to fight soon after the measures, with a surplus of rice. Others lament the loss of wetlands.

With 4 m below sea level of the lake bottom is now the deepest point of Japan.

Fisheries for Shijimi clams ( Corbicula japonica) was once a thriving industry. However, it is in decline, as the water is now less brackish, thereby deteriorating the living conditions of the shell. In winter you can fish on the ice after Wakasagi ( Hypomesus nipponensis ). Fishing for black bass ( Micropterus pec. ) Attracts anglers from other prefectures. The non-native fish here is the other part suspected of endangering native fish species.

According to legend, a transformed into a Chinese dragon man named Hachiro chose the spot after a long hike as a home and the lake was after him Hachirōgata ( - gata Lagoon means ) named. Later he fell in love with a woman, the Tazawa Lake, another lake in Akita prefecture, and was moved in with her. Then the Hachirogata became flatter and flatter.