[Japan] Tohoku Akita
Equipped with hot springs, well-preserved Samurai district and beautiful natural scenery, Akita is a resting place where you can feel the history and culture of Japan.
The northern part of Akita Prefecture is a favorite place for outdoor adventurers and historical buffs. You can enjoy various outdoor activities in the Hachimantai area. Take a glimpse of Japan's feudal era in the fascinating and well-preserved Samurai district of Kakunodate Village. The snow hut of the Yokote Snow Festival and the National Fireworks Competition in Omagari attract hundreds of thousands of people every year.
directions
Those coming from Tokyo, Sendai, and Morioka can take the JR Akita Shinkansen. You can also come from other parts of Japan by car, local train, and plane.
You can come to Akita by JAL and ANA flights from Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo, and Tokyo. If you want to take the easiest and fastest way from Tokyo, I recommend you take a flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Akita Airport. It takes about 4 hours between Tokyo and Akita by the Komachi Shinkansen, which is directly connected to JR Akita Shinkansen. It departs every hour, and you can use the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Regional Pass, and JR Southeast Hokkaido Pass. There are many long-distance buses from Tokyo to Akita. It takes about 8 hours.
Don't miss.
Mt. Hachimantai is especially beautiful in autumn.
Soak yourself in the volcanic mud hot springs and open-air hot springs of Koshogake hot springs.
Visit Yokote in Winter and participate in the 400-year-old Kamakura Snow Festival.
Enjoy breathtaking fireworks and music at the Omagari National Fireworks Competition, where fireworks teams from all over Japan compete.
Early Arts, Crafts, and Culture Meet in the Sophisticated Central City of Snow Country
Akita is the seat of the prefectural government in Akita Prefecture, located in the far north, and is widely known for its hot springs, fine sake, and strong breeds of dogs. It is also well-known that there are many beautiful women. The peaceful city, bordered by the sea and mountains, houses a famous local festival, a world-class art museum, and a well-preserved Samurai village. Get immersed in traditional Japanese culture here.
Don't miss.
Beautiful Summer Festival Akita Kanto Festival in early August
Castle Site and Seasonal Blooming in Senshu Park
Akita Prefectural Museum of Art and Leonard Fujita Works Designed by Tadao Ando, a Japanese architect
directions
Akita has Shinkansen stops and airports, so you can easily come from all over Japan.
It takes 4 hours to get to Akita Station by JR Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo. JAL and ANA operate a number of flights between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Akita Airport, and it takes about an hour. The best way to come from Osaka or Kyoto is to take the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen to Tokyo first and then transfer to the Akita-bound Shinkansen. It takes about 75 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport to Akita Airport by air.
a breathtaking seasonal festival
Enjoy the breathtaking seasonal festival in Akita. The Akita Kanto Festival, which runs from August 3-6, is one of the top three festivals in the Tohoku region. Don't miss the highlight of the festival, the balancing competition. Participants compete to find the most difficult balance by placing super-large bamboo pillars decorated with numerous lanterns on their foreheads or hips.
The Yokote Kamakura Festival is a big attraction in winter. Local children build hundreds of igloo-shaped snow domes called "Kamakura." Kamakura, lit at night, becomes a tribute to the god of water. There are various snow sculptures in the shape of imaginary animals on display, so look around. There is also a large kamakura where people can sit inside and drink hot drinks.
It is an hour away from Akita, and the spirit "Namahae" that appears here is famous. Namahagi is a scary goblin who walks around the streets on the last day of the year, finds small children and scares them to be nice next year.
modern architecture and world-class art
Opened in 2013, the Akita Prefectural Museum of art is an impressive gallery with a wide collection of contemporary local art and historically valuable artifacts. Unsupported stairs and triangular ceilings designed by architect Tadao Ando have become icons of architecture and art, showing off their architectural beauty. Enjoy a collection full of works by Goya, Picasso, Rubens, and Rembrandt.
the encounter between Japanese and Western art
The representative exhibit here is an extensive collection of works by Tokyo-born painter Tsuguharu Fujita (Lenard Fujita), who was active in France. As one of the few collections where you can see his work in Japan, his work, which features a combination of traditional Japanese and French styles, has fascinated visitors for almost a century. Fujita's representative work depicts Akita's festival and changing seasons, and is known for the world's largest canvas painting.
a spectacular oasis in the city center
Senshu Park is located on the site of the old kubota castle, which was built in 1604 and burned through the Meiji period (1868-1912). There are only moats, gates, and watchtowers left now. The moat area has been repurposed into several ponds. Senshu Park changes clothes according to the season. When spring comes, cherry blossoms are in full bloom and soft pink waves cover everywhere. The towering wisteria also creates a majestic atmosphere in the park. Senshu Park becomes lush and lively in the summer when lotus flowers bloom, and it turns colorful red in autumn when autumn leaves bloom.
a panoramic view
If you climb the 100-meter-high observation deck, the Port Tower Cellion in Akita City, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sea of Japan to the west, Oga Peninsula to the north, and Jokai Mountain to the south. Don't miss the fantastic sunset.
The complex and surrounding areas have parks and play areas, so you can enjoy the natural scenery of the city. Various shops and restaurants are located in the area, and flea markets are often held.
a tour of the suburbs of the city
The Akita neighborhood is surrounded by a variety of villages and natural resorts where you can enjoy historical exploration, relaxation, and adventure. If you want to enjoy history and adventure, visit Kakunodate. This is a well-preserved fortress and a samurai village.
Other places to visit are the New To Hot Springs. Visit the beautiful hot spring resort located in the eastern mountains of Akita Prefecture. Not too far away is Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan. The waters of Lake Tazawa vary from dark jade to sapphire blue over the course of a year.