61st Lake Towada Water Festival to be Held on Saturday, June 13, 2026

The Lake Towada Water Festival Executive Committee (Secretariat: Towada Oirase Tourism Organization) has decided to hold the 61st Lake Towada Water Festival on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

■ Choosing a "One-Day Event" at a Historical Turning Point

The Towada-Hakkoda area, which was designated as a National Park on February 1, 1936, celebrates the 90th anniversary of its designation this year.

The "Lake Towada Water Festival" has traditionally been held for two days at the Lake Towada Yasumiya area. However, due to soaring prices and labor shortages, securing operational funds has become extremely difficult, and at one point, "cancellation" was even considered. Nevertheless, driven by the pride of having continued the event 60 times, overcoming the earthquake disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the desire to celebrate this important "90th anniversary" milestone with the community, the Executive Committee held repeated discussions and decided to condense the event into a single day this year.

■ "Generational Change" and "Succession" by the New Executive Committee Chairman, Mr. Shimoyama

Starting this year, to review the event and pass the baton to the next generation, Mr. Masakazu Shimoyama (LLC Marutetsu) has taken office as the new chairman. Mr. Shimoyama, who runs a restaurant on the shores of Lake Towada, grew up experiencing the excitement of this festival since childhood and expressed his passion, saying, "I don't want the pride of my hometown to die out."

"There are harsh opinions suggesting we should cancel it, but there was a concern that once we stop, it will be extremely difficult to revive it. With the changing times, the content and form of the festival may change. However, I have a strong feeling that I want to keep at least the name 'Lake Towada Water Festival' alive by any means necessary."

■ Passing the Beauty of Lake Towada to the Next Generation

The Towada-Hakkoda area, which encompasses landscape elements such as volcanoes, caldera lakes, primitive natural forests, and gorges within a vast region, was designated as a National Park in 1936 as one of Japan's representative natural scenic spots. Later, the Hachimantai area was added to the park boundary, and it is known as the "Towada-Hachimantai National Park." Lake Towada, a double caldera lake, was recognized for its outstanding features with remarkable volcanic topography and tranquil beauty. Since its designation as a park, Lake Towada and its surroundings have been utilized by many visitors for nature appreciation, driving, sightseeing boats, and hot spring bathing.

Ninety years after being designated as a National Park, through the conservation and utilization of precious nature, we want many people to know the beauty of Lake Towada, which remains outstanding yet easily enjoyable. Therefore, we will hold the 2026 Lake Towada Water Festival on Saturday, June 13. In this important year of passing the beauty of Lake Towada, which our predecessors have protected, to the next 100 years, the Lake Towada Water Festival Executive Committee is working on preparations for holding this event.