Akita Hidden Gems
Rice country and cedar forests on the Sea of Japan, known for sake, hot springs buried in snow, and folk traditions kept alive in small towns.
10 spots
Climate & Best Season
Very heavy winter snow and grey Sea-of-Japan skies; short, warm summers. February for snow festivals, August for Kanto Matsuri.
Famous For (Food)
- Kiritanpo hotpot
- Inaniwa udon
- Sake
- Hinai-jidori chicken
Signature Sights
- Kakunodate samurai district
- Lake Tazawa
- Nyuto Onsen
- Namahage folk rituals
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…