We continued along the road to a place where a walking track to ichi no taki and ni no taki (taki being waterfall) was marked. According to the map it was about a 3 hour hike to the top of Mt Chokkai, though it would be an unorthodox way to get there - most people drive closer to the summit and approaching it from the Akita side. We were satisfied with walking along the walking path that ran along a mountain stream with periodic waterfalls for about 45 mins or so, and opted not to branch of along a much less frequently used track that would have taken us to the summit. It is said that climbing Chokkai san that there is no need to carry a water bottle as water is so abundant on the mountain. After venturing along this path, I have no reason to doubt it. 
The water was very cold, good for trout fishing but miserable for swimming. I am a wimp for water that is at sub-tropical temperatures, but even Hiro thinks it would be unsuitable for swimming all year round. (I assume the last of the snow here would melt here in June /July.).
