Akita

Akita has four distinct seasons and heavy snowfall in winter, so be sure to dress warmly when traveling.

Akita Prefecture is located in Japan’s Tohoku region and offers natural scenery, folk traditions, and hot springs. The pace of travel here is relatively relaxed, making it well suited to a slower trip.

Here is a sample 3-day, 2-night Akita itinerary covering major sights and local food:

Day 1: Culture and a stroll in Akita City

• Akita Citizen’s Market: This is a good place to experience the atmosphere of a local daily market in Akita. You can try fresh seafood and mentaiko, and there are also conveyor-belt sushi and ramen shops nearby.

• Senshu Park: The park is located on the site of Kubota Castle. It is lush with trees in summer and is also a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Akita City in spring.

• Akita Museum of Art: Designed by Tadao Ando, this fair-faced concrete building has a second-floor café facing the water and the park, where you can enjoy reflections of the architecture and landscape.

• Akita Dog interaction spots: You can visit the Akita Dog Station next to the museum, or the mobile station at the west exit of JR Akita Station, to learn about Akita dogs up close.

• Akarenga Folk Museum: This was once the former main building of Akita Bank. Its red-brick exterior preserves the look of modern-era architecture, and the museum also hosts art exhibitions.

Day 2: Scenic nature and Edo-period atmosphere

• Lake Tazawa: Japan’s deepest lake, known for its clear blue water. Along the lakeshore, you can visit the golden Statue of Tatsuko and Gozanoishi Shrine, which has a red torii gate.

• Nyuto Onsen Village: This hot spring area is hidden deep in the mountain forest. Tsurunoyu Onsen has a history of more than 300 years and is known for its milky-white hot spring water.

• Kakunodate Samurai Residence Street: Known as “Little Kyoto of Tohoku,” this area preserves the street layout of the Edo period and is especially famous for its weeping cherry blossoms in spring.

• Hinokinai River Embankment: Located near Kakunodate, this is one of Tohoku’s representative cherry blossom viewing spots. In spring, a long corridor of cherry trees forms along the river.

Day 3: Mountains, sea, and folklore on the Oga Peninsula

• Oga Aquarium GAO: The aquarium has an 800-ton large tank, where you can watch more than 2,000 fish swim overhead from below, creating an experience like walking under the sea.

• Nyudozaki: Located at the northernmost tip of the Oga Peninsula, Nyudozaki is listed among Japan’s 100 best sunset spots. In the evening, the sea and sky are dyed orange-red by the sunset.

• Namahage Museum: Here you can learn about the Namahage folklore unique to the Oga Peninsula. The museum displays Namahage figures from 60 different areas.

• Unosaki Coast: At low tide, the shallows reflect the sky, which is why it is known as the “Uyuni Salt Flat of Akita.”

Must-try foods in Akita

Akita has a rich variety of local dishes. The following three are especially representative:

• Kiritanpo hot pot: This is one of Akita’s most representative dishes. Rice is wrapped around a wooden stick and grilled over charcoal until it holds its shape, leaving a hollow center. It is then added to a rich chicken broth and served with vegetables, tofu, and chicken.

• Hinai-jidori chicken: One of Japan’s well-known local chicken breeds, with firm meat and a moderate amount of fat. Try Hinai-jidori oyakodon, where chicken and softly cooked egg are served over rice.

• Inaniwa udon: One of Japan’s three great udon varieties, these noodles are thin, smooth, and soft, with a more delicate texture than thick udon. They are often served with a light bonito broth.

Most restaurants are concentrated around JR Akita Station and the Kawabata dining district. For souvenirs, consider trying confectionery from Kinman.

Transportation and travel tips

• Getting there: You can fly into Akita Airport or take the Shinkansen to Akita Station. From Tokyo, the Akita Shinkansen “Komachi” takes about 3.5 hours.
• Local transportation: Attractions in Akita Prefecture are fairly spread out. When visiting Lake Tazawa, Kakunodate, and the Oga Peninsula, consider using JR buses, or choosing a chartered car or rental car. For travel between cities, you may consider buying the JR East Tohoku Area Pass.
• Best seasons: Cherry blossom season (late April to early May), autumn foliage season (October), and summer festivals (the Akita Kanto Festival in August) are popular times to visit. Winter is a good time to visit Nyuto Onsen and soak in hot springs amid snowy scenery.