Travel to Akita by HAnavi
A rich natural four-season landscape that
shows a nostalgic Japanese scene
The rich and expansive nature in Akita is the prefecture's boast to the world. The people of Akita have taken great care of the nature, preserving a Japanese landscape scene that makes Japanese people feel nostalgic for the past. The scenic impression changes across the four different seasons. In the spring head to the Kakunodate samurai residence for cherry blossoms. The contrast of the black walls of the residence against the pink of the blooming cherry blossoms makes for one of the most beautiful sights in Japan. Check out Shirakami-Sanchi in the summer to be bathed in green. This fresh-green, large panoramic landscape was registered as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1993. In the autumn head for Dakigaeri Gorge to get a look at the autumn leaves, that Japanese people enjoy viewing just as much as the cherry blossoms in the spring. Take a walk along the gorge trail and enjoy the view of the mountains on both sides as the yellow and red leaves fall around you. In the winter Akita will be covered in white for a completely different look. Head over to Kamakura in Yokote to find children happily chatting around a charcoal stove. The nature of Akita changes with the seasons, giving you a fresh discovery no matter how many times you visit.
Traditional culture lives on in Akita
Japan has a folk culture where many festivals and annual events are held throughout the seasons, featuring traditional arts such as Shinto music and dancing and the lion dance. Among them, Akita, a prefecture that cherishes its traditions, features 17 nationally designated Intangible Folk Cultural Properties, the most in Japan. One such event in Akita is the "Namahage", an event that celebrates the end of the year and welcomes the coming year. Patrons dress up as the "Namahage", wearing clothes made from straw and long boots, putting on an ogre mask, and brandishing a large knife. They are joy-bringing spirits, bringing good health and good harvests, who circle the neighborhood while asking loudly if there are any crying children. The bold shouts of the Namahage and the high-pitched wails of the children pierce the winter's night sky. In the summer the people of Akita enjoy the Kanto Festival, one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku Region. "Kanto" are many paper lanterns hung from a long pole. Kanto can reach a length of 12m, feature 46 lanterns, and weigh 50kg. These huge paper lantern poles, resembling ears of rice, light up the Akita summer nights. The people of Akita's love for their region and their wishes for happiness have kept various traditional folk cultures alive to this day.
Japan's leading onsen location,
a treasure trove of hot springs
Akita is Japan's leading prefecture for onsens. The Akita onsens are well-known for being open-air, providing for dynamic views of the natural backdrop, and many "touji" onsen hotels which are used for medical treatment and recuperation. The Nyuto Onsen Village consistently ranks at the top of onsens that Japanese people wish to visit at least once. The onsen village features 7 different hot springs, for visitors to enjoy touring. "Tsurunoyu" is an open-air onsen, the representative of the Nyuto Onsen Village. While it may seem a bit chilly to remove your clothes in an open-air onsen in the winter, the winter season actually features the most number of visitors. The reason being, the white snow-covered scenery that is visible from the cloudy white-colored open-air onsen. As the temperature drops in at night, steam from the onsen creates a dream-like atmosphere. We also recommend the "Tamagawa Onsen", well-known throughout Japan as a health-resort onsen. Featuring a self-catering kitchen and laundry room, this onsen is fully-equipped for a live-in experience. Get a taste of the onsen culture, one of Japan's ancient traditions, in Akita.
Recommended Sightseeing Routes
ROUTE
Akita Airport
Limousine Bus 35 minutes
JR Akita Station
Shinkansen 60 minutes
JR Tazawako Station
Shinkansen 15 minutes
JR Kakunodate Station
Akita Nairiku Line 80 minutes
Aniai Station
Akita Nairiku Line 60 minutes
Takanosu Station
Limousine Bus 15 minutes
Odate-Noshiro Airport
Lake Tazawa
JR Tazawako Station
With a depth of 423.4m, this lake is the deepest in Japan. The golden colored, shining Statue of Princess Tatsuko along the west bank and the beautiful, expansive scenery that captures Japan's four seasonal expressions are sure to enchant all who come to visit.
Access informationKakunodate
JR Kakunodate Station
The stately samurai residence is a famous location of Kakunodate, called the "little Kyoto" of Michinoku. The seasonal changing-colors of the trees serve as a contrast against the backdrop of the blackboard fences of the residence for a fresh look. From the spring cherry blossoms, summer green, fall crimson leaves, and the winter landscape, this location gives you a fresh taste of the Japanese seasonal expressions.
Access informationMt. Moriyoshi
Aniai Station
Mt. Moriyoshi is one of the "Hana no Hyakumeizan," a selection of 100 mountains in Japan featuring about 300 types of alpine plants in bloom from the beginning of summer into the fall. Ride on the famous gondola to get a view of the fall leaves and the winter trees!
Access informationROUTE
Akita Airport
Limousine Bus 35 minutes
JR Akita Station
Train 60 minutes
Oga Peninsula
(Hadachi Station, Oga Station)
Taxi 40 minutes
JR Hachirōgata Station
Train 40 minutes
Akita Station
Limousine Bus 35 minutes
Akita Airport
Namahage Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum
JR Hadachi Station
The "Oga Namahage" has been registered as a Japanese Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Learn more about the traditional Namahage of Shinzan at the Folklore Museum.
Access informationOga Onsen Village
JR Oga Station
A unique characteristic of the Oga Onsen Village is that the waters are slightly salty, preventing them from chilling. Not only does it preserve heat, but together with it's high-moisturizing effects it's also popular for female skin care. We also recommend trying the "stone-roasted cuisine," an Oga Peninsula speciality, featuring seafood roasted over red-hot stones in a wooden bucket.
Detailed informationOgata Nanohana Road
JR Hachirogata Station
The "Nanohana Road" features rape blossoms in bloom over a 10 kilometer stretch along the road beginning in May of every year. As this overlaps with cherry blossom season, the overlapping of the yellow carpet with the pink cherry blossoms is a sight to behold!
Access informationROUTE
Akita Airport
Limousine Bus 35 minutes
JR Akita Station
Train 75 minutes
JR Yokote Station
Train 15 minutes
JR Jumonji Station
Train 10 minutes
JR Yuzawa Station
Train 100 minutes
Akita Station
Limousine Bus 35 minutes
Akita Airport
Kamakura Museum
JR Yokote Station
"Kamakura" is the Japanese word for "igloo", or houses made out of snow. In the Kamakura Museum check out Kamakura igloos made from Yokote snow, all-year round, in rooms that maintain -10℃ temperatures.
Access informationMasuda Storehouse
JR Jumonji Station
The Yokote Masuda area, located about 80km south of Lake Tazawa, is Japan's leading heavy snowfall area. Having prospered as a merchant town since ancient times, there are still many traditional houses remaining in the city. These traditional houses have storehouses built into their internal structure. In 2013 the area was selected as one of Japan's "Traditional Buildings Convservation Districts."
Detailed informationInaniwa Udon
JR Yuzawa Station
Udon noodles that are produced in the Yuzawa Inaniwa district in southern Akita Prefecture. You can really taste of the flavor and feel the texture of these noodles, made by the hands of a skilled craftsman. The hometown flavor of Akita is delicious both hot and cold.
Detailed informationAkita Airportliner
Travel to Akita Airport, the major sightseeing spots within Akita Prefecture, and within the city without having to transfer!
Contact us
West Los Angeles
Address
2130 Sawtelle Blvd, #207A Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone & Fax
310-575-4544 / 310-575-0564
Store Hours
Mon - Fri: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Sat: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm / Sun: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (Telephone Reception Only)
Closed: Holiday