Plan Your Trip

Experience Akita

Transportation :Public transport

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Day 1

JR Tazawako Station

1 Lake Tazawa

Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan and is famous for the golden statue of Tatsuko.

SUP Cruising on Lake Tazawa
SUP is an outdoor sport where the surfer stands on a large surfboard and rows using a paddle.
SUP experience on Lake Tazawa is a summer adventure on a crystal-clear lake surrounded by magnificent mountains.

Canoeing and Kayaking in Lake Tazawa
Canoeing and kayaking are fun adventure activities that can be enjoyed from spring to autumn. The fresh greenery and snow of the mountains can be admired during the spring, while the foliage transforms the trees into a beautiful scarlet color during the autumn.

2 Tazawako Kohan No Mori Restaurant ORAE

Tazawako Kohan No Mori Restaurant ORAE is a lakeside restaurant where western dishes using local fresh vegetables and Akita craft beer can be enjoyed with the view of Akita’s Lake Tazawa.

3 Nyuto Hot Spring Village

Nyuto Hot Spring Village is a hidden gem highly esteemed even by Japanese people. The seven hot spring hotels are Tsurunoyu, Taenoyu, Ganiba, Ogama, Magoroku, Kuroyu, and Kyukamura. Each hotel has its own hot spring, while the hot spring village has over ten types of hot springs in total. The best way to experience the hot springs is to take the bus that travels around the hotels.

Day 2
1 Kakunodate Samurai Residence

The community of Kakunodate Samurai Residences began developing in 1620 as a residential area for samurais, and it still remains today. Several samurai residences are open to the public on Kakunodate Bukeyashiki Street having thick black wooden-fence built along.

A walk through the district gives different pleasures depending on the season: cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in the summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and snow in the winter. “Tatetsuya” in the Samurai Residence offers rentals and dressing of Japanese kimonos of various designs, from which you can choose your favorite (reservation required). A walk through the Samurai Residence in a beautiful kimono will be a special memory of your trip.

2 Kiritampo hot pot/Hinai-Jidori (chicken) oyakodon

Kiritampo hot pot is a local dish of Akita, consisting of Kiritampo, a dish made by wrapping crushed rice around cedar skewers and toasting, simmered in chicken stock. Kiritampo toasted with miso is also highly recommended.

Hinai-Jidori (chicken) oyakodon is a rice bowl with high-quality Hinai-Jidori (chicken) from Akita stewed in stock and soy sauce, bound in rich, flavorful eggs on freshly cooked Akita rice. Enjoy the exquisite combination of juicy chicken and soft-boiled egg.

3 Namahage Museum/Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum

Namahage is believed to be a messenger of the gods in Japan. In a traditional ritual, men wear namahage masks and visit families to warn against wrongdoing, drive away bad luck, and bring good harvest and luck. The Namahage was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018.

Namahage Museum
Learn about the culture of namahage through an exhibition of more than 150 namahage masks unique to each region.

Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum
Tourists can also experience a reenactment of the namahage ritual held in people’s homes in each region.

4 <Option>Cycling in Oga

The Oga Peninsula is a region with a dynamic natural landscape that has been designated as a quasi-national park. You can rent an electric bicycle (e-bike) at Oga Jitensha located in front of JR Oga Station.

5 Night time in Oga Hot Spring Village

Ishiyaki Hot Pot
Ishiyaki hot pot is a type of hot pot with miso broth and fish caught in the sea of Oga. In this traditional fisherman’s cuisine of Oga, the broth and fish are placed in a bucket, then a stone that has been baked over charcoal to nearly 400 degrees is placed into the bucket to bring the water to boil almost immediately, bringing out all the flavors of the fish.

Namahage Drums
A performance of Namahage drums will be held after dinner at Gofu, a performance venue in the hot spring village. It is a modernized Japanese folk performing art that fuses the "majesty of Namahage" and the ancient music of "Japanese drums".

Day 3
1 Neburi Nagashi Kan(Akita City Folk Traditions Hall)

Neburi Nagashi Kan (Akita City Folk Traditions Hall) is a facility
where you can learn about the history of Akita's folk performing arts.

The lanterns used in the Akita Kanto Festival, a major summer festival of Tohoku, is on permanent display. You can actually see the raising of the lanterns or even try to lift them up yourself.

2 Inaniwa Udon Noodles/Akita Beef

There are many restaurants in front of Akita Station where you can eat various Akita specialties such as Inaniwa udon noodles and Akita beef.

Inaniwa Udon Noodles
Inaniwa Udon Noodles are handmade dried udon noodles made in southern Akita. It is famous for its flat shape and smooth texture and is one of the three major udon noodles in Japan.

Akita Beef
Akita Beef is from the Japanese Black cattle breed raised in the abundance and vast nature of Akita. The meat of cattle fed with rice is remarkably soft and has strong delicious taste.

3 Akita Maiko & Cafe Matsushita Saryo

Akita Maiko is a revival that occurred in 2014 of the geisha culture that once flourished in Akita. Songs and dances of the Akita Maiko can be enjoyed at the Akita Maiko Theater (every Saturday, reservation required). Cafe Matsushita Saryo on the 1st floor of the theater is a good place to relax, even if you are not visiting to see the performances.

JR Akita Station

Reccomend

  • Shirakami Sanchi (Shirakami Mountain Land) Snow Shoeing
    TOUCH
    Feel the heart and peaceful nature of Akita snow country with a Shirakami Sanchi Snowshoe Experience
  • Akita Nairiku Line
    SIGHT
    Gaze upon the natural beauty of Japan's northern country while riding the Akita Nairiku Line
  • Walk with an Akita Dog
    TOUCH
    Feel the love while walking an Akita dog
  • Mototaki Waterfall
    SOUND
    Let your ears embrace the natural wonders of Mototaki Waterfall
  • Fermentation Cafe Taya & Saiya Shuzoten Sake Brewery
    TASTE
    Discover Akita's traditional fare at Cafe Taya and Saiya Shuzoten Sake Brewery
  • Kakunodate Night & Wanoi KAKUNODATE (Hotel)
    SIGHT
    Witness wondrous Akita night views at Wanoi KAKUNODATE hotel

Back to Akita for all senses