Aoba Lake was formed by the construction of the Yomasari Dam and is named after a famous flute in Japanese culture called the Aoba flute. The Aoba flute was the prized possession of a famous samurai named Taira no Shigemori. Shigemori is said to have brought the flute with him when he fled to this area after a disagreement with his father, Taira no Kiyomori, the story of which comes from a famous scene in the Japanese classic The Tale of the Heike.

The views from the observatory on the shore of the lake are beautiful at any time of year, but the leaves in Autumn particularly are a must-see. The former Shimamori power plant is located downstream from the dam. It operated for 85 years before the dam was built, and is now preserved as a park. In May a variety of wildflowers, such as dog’s tooth violets, bloom creating a stunning scene. 

Address: 

Yomasari Dam, Shimamori, Nango, Hachinohe City

View Map 

Access: 

By car: 20 minutes from Nango IC
50 minutes from JR Hachinohe Station
50 minutes from downtown Hachinohe 

Parking: 

Available