TOWADA, LAKE

Japanese Towada-ko, lake, on the border of Aomori and Akita ken (prefectures), northern Honshu, Japan. Located in the northern extremity of the Ou Range, the lake occupies a volcanic crater. It is 27 miles (44 km) in circumference and covers an area of 23 square miles (60 square km). Lake Towada is the third deepest lake in Japan, reaching 1,096 feet (334 m) in depth at its centre. It receives water from several mountain streams and drains in the northeast through the Oirase River. Its circular shape is broken in the south by the Ogura and Nakayama promontories. The lake is included in Towada-Hachimantai National Park, a popular recreation area served by such tourist centres as Yasumiya. The town of Wainai, on its southwestern shore, contains a fish hatchery, and the lake is stocked with the fish.