AKITA-JAPAN-

  • Samurai Residence Street of Kakunodate
  • Namahage
  • Nyuto Onsen Village
  • Akita Dog
  • Akita Nairiku Line
[Flights to Akita Prefecture] / Tokyo (HND) - Akita (AXT) 1 hour 5 minutes / Tokyo (HND) - Odate-Noshiro (ONJ) 1 hour 10 minutes / Sapporo (CTS) - Akita (AXT) 1 hour 10 minutes / Osaka (ITM) - Akita (AXT) 1 hour 30 minutes / Nagoya (NGO) - Akita (AXT) 1 hour 25 minutes About 1 hour from Tokyo

Travel to Akita by HAnavi

Cherry Blossoms of the Hinokinai RiverCherry Blossoms of the Hinokinai River
Fall Leaves of the Dakikaeri RavineFall Leaves of the Dakigaeri Gorge
Frost-Covered Trees of Mt. MoriyoshiFrost-Covered Trees of Mt. Moriyoshi
Fresh Greens in the Shirakami-Sanchi RegionFresh Greens in the Shirakami-Sanchi Region
Dogtooth Violet FlowersDogtooth Violet Flowers

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.

Yokote IglooYokote Igloo
Akita Kanto FestivalAkita Kanto Festival
Omagari FireworksOmagari Fireworks
Ugomachi Nishimonai Bon DanceUgomachi Nishimonai Bon Dance
Yuzawa Inukko FestivalYuzawa Inukko Festival

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.

Nyuto Onsen Village — TsurunoyuNyuto Onsen Village — Tsurunoyu
Nyuto Onsen Village — Ganiba OnsenNyuto Onsen Village — Ganiba Onsen
Akinomiya Onsen VillageAkinomiya Onsen Village
Oga Onsen VillageOga Onsen Village
Tamagawa OnsenTamagawa Onsen

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.

See More of Akita's Beauty

Recommended Sightseeing Routes

Travel to Lake Tazawa by the Akita Nairiku Line

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.

Kakunodate

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.

Mt. 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!

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

Oga Peninsula Journey

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.

Oga 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.

Ogata 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!

ROUTE

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

Journey to Yokote/Yuzawa

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.

Masuda 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."

Inaniwa 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.

ROUTE

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

Akita Airportliner

Travel to Akita Airport, the major sightseeing spots within Akita Prefecture, and within the city without having to transfer!

Akita Airportliner

Contact us

West Los Angeles

Address

2130 Sawtelle Blvd, #207A Los Angeles, CA 90025

Phone & Fax

Phone : 310-575-4544 / Fax : 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