Hidden Gems Across Japan
1,610 spots
Sakata Somaro
Somaro (相馬樓) is a beautifully preserved Edo-period geisha house in the port city of Sakata, converted into a cultural mu…
Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen is a high-altitude hot spring village at 880 meters elevation on the slopes of Mt. Zao, one of Japan's oldest…
Tendo Shogi Pieces
Tendo City produces over 90% of Japan's shogi pieces (将棋, Japanese chess), a craft tradition dating to the Edo period wh…
Illustration — not a photographYamagata Imoni
Imoni (芋煮) is Yamagata's signature autumn comfort food — a hot pot stew made with taro root (satoimo), beef, konjac, gre…
Dewa Sanzan
Dewa Sanzan (出羽三山, 'Three Mountains of Dewa') comprises Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono — three sacred peaks that…
Kajo Park
Kajo Park occupies the site of Yamagata Castle, once one of the largest feudal castles in the Tohoku region. Built in th…
Mogami River Boat Ride
The Mogami River is one of Japan's three most rapid rivers, flowing 224km from the mountains of southern Yamagata to the…
Yamagata Beef
Yamagata beef is one of Japan's elite wagyu brands, produced from Japanese Black cattle raised in Yamagata's clean mount…
Yamagata Cherries
Yamagata Prefecture produces 70% of Japan's cherry crop, earning its designation as the nation's cherry capital. The sig…
Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen is 300 meters of Taisho-period (1912-1926) wooden ryokan squeezed into a mountain valley, three and four st…
Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo)
At 1,600 meters on Mt. Zao, Siberian wind hits moisture from the Sea of Japan and does something strange to the Maries f…
Yamadera (Risshakuji Temple)
Yamadera hangs on a volcanic cliff north of Yamagata City, its halls and pagodas built directly into the rock face 417 m…
Illustration — not a photographInaniwa Udon
Inaniwa udon (稲庭うどん) is one of Japan's three most famous udon varieties (alongside Sanuki and Kishimen), distinguished b…
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.…
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…
Hachimantai Plateau
Hachimantai Plateau (八幡平) is a volcanic highland straddling the Akita-Iwate border, part of Towada-Hachimantai National…
Shinzan Shrine
Shinzan Shrine (真山神社) in Oga Peninsula is the spiritual home of the Namahage tradition, where ritual demon costumes are…
Akita Sake Breweries
Akita Prefecture is one of Japan's top sake-producing regions, with cold winters, pure mountain water, and high-quality…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Estimated from distance to the nearest airport or shinkansen station. Confirm actual journey times before you travel.