Hachibodai is famous for granting a full view over the Sea of Japan, but it also allows visitors great views of mystical crater lakes (maars), Ichi-no-Me gata (“Eye-Shaped Lake Number One”) to the east and Ni-no-Me gata (“Eye-Shaped Lake Number Two”) to the west, which are rare geological features created by volcanic activity. The observatory also provides a view of the Akita-Aomori border to the north and the Ou Mountains to the south.
This observatory was named “Hachibodai” (outlook in eight directions) by Prince Takamatsu, the third son of Emperor Taisho and a brother of Emperor Showa.
