Akita Hidden Gems
Les résidences de samouraïs de Kakunodate conservent intact un quartier de l'ère Edo bordé de cerisiers pleureurs. Les namahage de la péninsule d'Oga sont des démons folkloriques qui « effraient » les enfants au Nouvel An. Le lac Tazawa, le plus profond du Japon, brille d'un bleu cobalt surnaturel.
20 spots
Pays de rizières et de forêts de cèdres sur la mer du Japon, réputé pour son saké, ses sources thermales enfouies sous la neige et ses traditions populaires préservées dans de petites bourgades.
Climat et meilleure saison
Chutes de neige très abondantes en hiver et ciels gris de la mer du Japon ; étés courts et chauds. Février pour les festivals de neige, août pour le Kanto Matsuri.
Spécialités culinaires
- Fondue kiritanpo
- Inaniwa udon
- Saké
- Poulet hinai-jidori
Lieux emblématiques
- Quartier samouraï de Kakunodate
- Lac Tazawa
- Nyuto Onsen
- Rituels folkloriques Namahage
Oga Peninsula
Oga Peninsula (男鹿半島) juts 30 kilometers into the Sea of Japan from Akita's western coast, forming a rugged landscape of…
Kakunodate Samurai District
Kakunodate preserves 2 kilometers of samurai district from the Edo period, with wide unpaved streets lined by black wood…
Lake Towada (Akita side)
Lake Towada (十和田湖) is a double-caldera lake straddling the Akita-Aomori border, formed by volcanic eruptions 13,000 and…
Dakigaeri Gorge
Dakigaeri Gorge (抱返り渓谷) is a 10-kilometer river valley carved by the Tamagawa River, renowned as one of Tohoku's premier…
Akita Kanto Festival
The Akita Kanto Festival (秋田竿燈まつり) is one of Tohoku's three great festivals, held annually August 3-6. The centerpiece i…
Omoriyama Zoo
Akita City Omoriyama Zoo (秋田市大森山動物園) is one of Japan's few zoos emphasizing cold-climate species and winter adaptations.…
Lake Tazawa
Lake Tazawa (田沢湖) is Japan's deepest lake at 423 meters, located in Akita's mountainous interior. The depth creates an o…
Akita Inu Dogs
Akita Inu (秋田犬) are one of Japan's six native dog breeds, designated a Natural Monument in 1931. Originating in the Odat…
Yokote Kamakura Festival
The Yokote Kamakura Festival (横手のかまくら) is a 450-year-old winter tradition held annually February 15-16, where the city c…
Kiritanpo
Kiritanpo (きりたんぽ) is Akita's signature comfort food, originating from the mountainous Kazuno region where woodcutters an…
Senshu Park
Senshu Park (千秋公園) occupies the site of Kubota Castle (久保田城), the Edo-period stronghold of the Satake clan who ruled Aki…
Hinai-jidori Chicken
Hinai-jidori (比内地鶏) is one of Japan's three premier chicken breeds (alongside Nagoya Cochin and Satsuma chicken), native…
Akita Sake Breweries
Akita Prefecture is one of Japan's top sake-producing regions, with cold winters, pure mountain water, and high-quality…
Akita Museum of Art
The Akita Museum of Art (秋田県立美術館) is a striking triangular glass building designed by architect Tadao Ando, housing the…
Namahage
Namahage are demon-gods from Oga Peninsula folklore, part of Akita's New Year traditions since the Edo period. They wear…
Nyuto Onsen
Nyuto Onsen (乳頭温泉郷) is a cluster of seven secluded hot spring inns deep in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, 50 kilo…
Oga Aquarium GAO
Oga Aquarium GAO (男鹿水族館GAO) perches on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan, specializing in cold-water species native t…
Shinzan Shrine
Shinzan Shrine (真山神社) in Oga Peninsula is the spiritual home of the Namahage tradition, where ritual demon costumes are…
Hachimantai Plateau
Hachimantai Plateau (八幡平) is a volcanic highland straddling the Akita-Iwate border, part of Towada-Hachimantai National…
Inaniwa Udon
Inaniwa udon (稲庭うどん) is one of Japan's three most famous udon varieties (alongside Sanuki and Kishimen), distinguished b…