Akita Hidden Gems
가쿠노다테의 사무라이 저택 거리는 에도 시대 무가마을의 모습을 온전히 간직하고 있으며 능수벚나무로 널리 알려져 있다. 나마하게는 오가반도의 섣달 그믐밤 아이들을 훈육하는 민속 전통이며, 다자와호는 일본에서 가장 깊은 호수로 신비로운 코발트블루를 띤다. 아키타 간토마쓰리의 등롱 균형 묘기까지 더해져 동해 쪽의 문화적 보고다.
20 spots
Kakunodate Samurai District — Feudal Streets & Cherry Blossoms
Kakunodate preserves 2 kilometers of samurai district from the Edo period, with wide unpaved streets lined by black wood…
Namahage — Demon Folklore & New Year Rituals
Namahage are demon-gods from Oga Peninsula folklore, part of Akita's New Year traditions since the Edo period. They wear…
Lake Tazawa — Japan's Deepest Azure Lake
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 Kanto Festival — Pole Lantern Balancing Spectacular
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…
Kiritanpo — Pounded Rice Hot Pot & Grilled Sticks
Kiritanpo (きりたんぽ) is Akita's signature comfort food, originating from the mountainous Kazuno region where woodcutters an…
Nyuto Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Springs Village
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…
Senshu Park — Kubota Castle Ruins & Cherry Blossoms
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…
Oga Aquarium GAO — Polar Bears & Sea of Japan Life
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…
Akita Inu Dogs — Hachiko's Loyal Breed
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 — Snow House Candle Ritual
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…
Hinai-jidori Chicken — Akita's Premium Poultry
Hinai-jidori (比内地鶏) is one of Japan's three premier chicken breeds (alongside Nagoya Cochin and Satsuma chicken), native…
Lake Towada — Volcanic Caldera on Akita-Aomori Border
Lake Towada (十和田湖) is a double-caldera lake straddling the Akita-Aomori border, formed by volcanic eruptions 13,000 and…
Oga Peninsula — Dramatic Coastline & Godzilla Rock
Oga Peninsula (男鹿半島) juts 30 kilometers into the Sea of Japan from Akita's western coast, forming a rugged landscape of…
Dakigaeri Gorge — Autumn Leaf Valley & Suspension Bridges
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 Sake Breweries — Premium Rice Wine Tradition
Akita Prefecture is one of Japan's top sake-producing regions, with cold winters, pure mountain water, and high-quality…
Shinzan Shrine — Namahage Costume Rituals
Shinzan Shrine (真山神社) in Oga Peninsula is the spiritual home of the Namahage tradition, where ritual demon costumes are…
Hachimantai Plateau — Volcanic Highlands & Dragon's Eye
Hachimantai Plateau (八幡平) is a volcanic highland straddling the Akita-Iwate border, part of Towada-Hachimantai National…
Akita Museum of Art — Foujita's Akita Masterworks
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…
Omoriyama Zoo — Winter Wildlife & Snow Adaptations
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.…
Inaniwa Udon — Japan's Silky Hand-Stretched Noodles
Inaniwa udon (稲庭うどん) is one of Japan's three most famous udon varieties (alongside Sanuki and Kishimen), distinguished b…