Partners Information: Also known as Kagami-Numa (Kagami Pond), this natural phenomenon near the top of Mt Hachimantai between Iwate and Akita Prefectures can be seen for just two weeks, typically from late May through early to mid-June.
As summer approaches the snow starts to melt, leaving an island of snow in the centre which resembles the eye of a dragon, earning it the nickname Dragon Eye.
The area around the Dragon Eye has many craters that fill with water creating a number of ponds including the emerald-green Megane-Numa, also known as ‘Tears of the dragon’, Hachiman-Numa and Gama-Numa.
The Dragon Eye (Kagami-Numa) is a 15-minute walk from the car park on the summit of Mt Hachimantai which can be accessed by car or bus.
