Hachimantai Dragon Eye
八幡平ドラゴンアイ（鏡沼）
The Hachimantai Dragon Eye is Kagami-numa Pond near the top of Mt. Hachimantai, in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. In spring, as the snow melts, a ring of snow stays in the middle of the pond and it looks like a giant eye. The shape only appears when the weather conditions are right, so it is not seen every day. Visitors walk a short trail from the summit car park.
Visitor information
- Getting there
By bus it takes about 2 hours from Morioka Station to the peak of Mt. Hachimantai.
- Time needed
The pond is about a 15-minute walk from the peak area.
Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.
Good to know
- The Dragon Eye usually appears from the end of May to the beginning of June, but the period depends on the weather and can change.
- The melting ice makes it dangerous to go near the pond. Stay behind the rope barrier.
- The only toilet is at the summit rest house, so use toilets at the base of the mountain before going up.
- There is still snow on the trail, so wear boots or non-slip shoes.
Tips for Muslim visitors
- Natural sites may have few facilities. Bring water, a travel prayer mat and a qibla app, and check the weather; mountains and lakes can be much colder than the city.
- Restrooms for wudu can be far apart on trails. Many Muslim travellers carry a small water bottle for wudu.
- Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Akita and the verified places to pray nearby.
- Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.
Prayer times in Akita
Today (5 Nov 2026)
- Fajr04:30
- Sunrise06:12
- Dhuhr11:25
- Asr14:11
- Maghrib16:34
- Isha18:05
Times are calculated for Akita City. Times may differ elsewhere in Akita.
Places to pray near Hachimantai Dragon Eye
We have not verified a place to pray near here yet. Many large stations, airports and department stores in Japan have prayer rooms.
Halal food near Hachimantai Dragon Eye
We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:
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Map
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Photo: SQUAREZERO, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources (Checked 4 Nov 2026): pref.akita.lg.jp, tohokukanko.jp