Most of us would affiliate the phrase “Akita” with the Akita Inu, however the metropolis of Akita, Japan, is a lot greater than that. Positioned nearly an hour’s flight north from Tokyo, Akita is house to essentially the most picturesque sights, a wealthy historical past and extremely scrumptious native fare. It is without doubt one of the extra underrated prefectures in Japan that deserves extra consideration.
Undecided the place to start? We’ve obtained you coated. Right here is our 3D2N itinerary with 12 issues you will need to do, see and eat in Akita, Japan.
#1 AKITA CASTLE RUINS HISTORICAL PARK
The Akita Citadel Ruins Historic Park is house to the ruins of the Akita Citadel, which is what’s left of the Nara interval fortified settlement in Akita. Right here, guests will get to view varied restored elements of the Akita Citadel such because the Tsuiji fence, the east gate of the Akita Citadel, and even historical flushing bathrooms.
Apart from visiting the Akita Citadel Ruins Historic Museum, guests also can get pleasure from a VR expertise of the ruins of the buildings within the Unoki space of the park by their cellphones.
Akita Citadel Ruins Historic Park
5 Terauchiohata, Akita,
011-0939, Japan
#2 DINE AT AKITA KIRITANPOYA
When in Akita, you will need to strive the Kiritanpo Nabe which is certainly one of Akita’s signature dishes. With its roots courting again to the Edo Interval, the Kiritanpo Nabe includes roasted mashed rice wrapped round a stick of Akita cedar which is cooked in a pot of greens, mushrooms, and hen.
Akita Kiranpoya is a humble restaurant in Akita which serves a wonderful rendition of the Kiritanpo Nabe. It additionally serves different Akita dishes just like the Hinai Rooster, Inaniwa udon noodles and extra.
Akita Kiritanpoya (Omachi Department)
4-Chome-2-20 Omachi,
Akita 010-0921, Japan
#3 NAGAHAMA COFFEE
Only a few strides away from the Metropolitan Akita, Nagahama Espresso is a quaint cafe the place you’ll be able to choose up scrumptious breakfast units between 8 to 10.30am within the morning. Our favorite breakfast set that we ordered twice in a row was the American Breakfast B Set (710 yen). It comes with a salad, an unbelievable toasted honey croissant, and a selection of beverage.
Nagahama Espresso
4-2 Senshukubotamachi,
Akita 010-0874, Japan
#4 FUNOSHI-NO-TAKI FALLS
Nearly 40 minutes by automotive away from Akita’s metropolis, the Funoshi-no-taki Falls is unquestionably certainly one of Akita’s greatest waterfalls. There’s a lookout level just under the slope beside the waterfall, which offers you a wonderful viewing level of the gorgeous surroundings. However for these planning to go to throughout winter, do take care to hire an appropriate automotive for driving because the snowfall and roads resulting in the waterfall are reasonably difficult to navigate.
Funoshi-no-taki Falls
Ushiromata Kawabeiwami,
Akita 019-2741, Japan
#5 LAKE TAZAWA
Located simply south of the Towada-Hachimantai Nationwide Park, Lake Tazawa is a gorgeous lake in Akita. This lake is the deepest lake in Japan, and is taken into account probably the most 100 scenic spots in Japan. You’ll be able to both view the lake from the lakeside or take within the wonders of this lake on a sightseeing boat, paddle boat or canoe (after all, when the climate permits).
Lake Tazawa can be house to the Statue of Tatsuko, which pays homage to the legend of Tatsuko, a girl who wished for everlasting magnificence however become a dragon and threw herself into the lake.
Lake Tazawa
Tazawakokata, Semboku
Akita 014-1203, Japan
#6 KANSAGU (UKIKI SHRINE)
After viewing the Statue of Tatsuko, take a brief stroll to Kansagu (or often known as the Ukiki Shrine) which is a small Shinto shrine overlooking the Lake Tazawa. It’s stated that the Ukiki Shrine was based to worship a floating log of a big tree that washed up on the shops of Lake Tazawa.
Kansagu (Ukiki Shrine)
Katajiri Nishikicho Saimyoji,
Semboku, Akita 014-0511, Japan
#7 ORAE RESTAURANT AND BREWERY
After taking within the sights on the Lake Tazawa, you’ll be able to take a sluggish drive right down to the Orae Restaurant and Brewery for a fast chunk. Because the restaurant is situated on the shore of Lake Tazawa, you’ll be able to proceed to understand Lake Tazawa’s magnificence while having fun with a chilly pint of craft beer (costs begin at about 640 yen for a 330ml glass and a pair of,900 yen for a 1.8 litre pitcher). And for those who’re a k-drama fan, a scene of Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee having fun with native craft beer was additionally filmed at this restaurant!
Meals-wise, you’ll be able to count on to be handled to a large unfold of German, Italian and Japanese yoshoku delicacies. Nevertheless, because you’re in Akita, seize the chance to get pleasure from a few of Akita’s native fare. We significantly loved the Inaniwa Udon (1,320 yen) which was served with the Junsai, a standard water vegetable, and the Beer Curry Pizza (1,350 yen) which encompasses a curry pizza sauce infused with the restaurant’s craft beer and dough fermented in Shirajinbo.
Orae Restaurant and Brewery
Haruyama-37-5, Tazawako Tazawa,
Semboku, Akita 014-1204, Japan
Tel: +81 817-58-0608
#8 KAKUNODATE
In the event you’re eager on Japanese historical past, a go to to Kakunodate is important. Typically known as Tohoku’s “Little Kyoto”, this small city is full of well-preserved samurai residences the place 80 samurai households as soon as lived within the seventeenth and 18th centuries.
Kakunodate can be well-known for his or her weeping cherry blossoms that line the streets of this quaint city. Ought to this immediate you to plan a visit to Akita in the course of the spring, do be warned that that is certainly one of Japan’s most well-known cherry blossom viewing spots so you’ll be able to count on the city to be fairly crowded.
Kakunodate
45 Shimoshin-machi, Kakunodate-machi,
Semboku Metropolis, Akita 014-0315, Japan
#9 AOYAGI SAMURAI MANOR MUSEUM
The Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum is a must-visit when in Kakunodate. Right here, guests can have the prospect to be taught concerning the completely different gadgets the Aoyagi household used between the seventeenth to twentieth century, and also will get to see the Most important Home, which was house to the descendants of the Aoyagi household till someday in 1985.
Other than the Most important Home, guests can stay up for visiting the Kaitaishinsho Gallery, the Akita Folks Museum and the Bakumatsu Picture Gallery. Guests also can strive their hand at holding a samurai sword, lifting the Kago (a carriage used in the course of the Edo interval) and sporting the Samurai helmet.
Do word that you may be required to pay for tickets to enter the museum. Tickets for an grownup will set you again 500 yen, for a pupil, 300 yen, and for kids between the ages of 6 to 11 years, 200 yen. Entrance is free for kids beneath the age of 5.
Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum
3 Kakunodatemachi Omotemachishimocho,
Semobku, Akita 014-0331, Japan
#10 EAT AKITA’S HINAI JIDORI
For these unfamiliar with the time period, Jidori refers to chickens whose mother and father or one mother or father are native to Japan, and are raised based on a prescribed methodology (cage free or free vary). Akita’s Hinai Jidori is certainly one of Japan’s main “jidori” and what’s particular concerning the meat is it’s savory and wealthy flavour. As for the eggs produced from the Hinai Jidori? They’re extremely tasty and means superior in flavour in comparison with the eggs again house.
In the event you’re staying in Akita Metropolis and usually are not certain the place to benefit from the Hinai Jidori, you’ll be able to drop by the Akita Hinai-Jidori Restaurant on the Akita Station for some fried hen, or an Oyakodon.
Akita Hina-jidori Restaurant
7 Chome-1-2, Nakadori,
Akita 010-0001, Japan
#11 SHOPPING AT THE AKITA STATION BUILDING “TOPICO”
What’s a visit to Japan with out looking for some Japanese souvenirs and snacks? Among the finest locations to get your purchasing performed in Akita is the Akita Station Constructing “Topico”. There’s a farmer’s market on the primary flooring and confections, souvenirs, and different ready-made meals accessible for buy on the 2nd flooring.
Akita Station Constructing “Topico”
7 Chome-1-2 Nakadori,
Akita 010-0001, Japan
#12 KUBOTA CASTLE
Only a 5 minute stroll from the Akita station, the Kubota Citadel is a Japanese citadel that was house to the Satake clan (rulers of the northern Dewa Province) in the course of the Edo interval. Nevertheless, a fireplace destroyed a lot of the Kubota Citadel in 1880 and this led to reconstruction efforts for one nook of the citadel in 1989.
Apart from viewing the Kubota Citadel, different sights that you could be cross by (and want to go to) alongside your means as much as the citadel embrace the Satake Historic Materials Museum, the Iyataka Shrine, and the Kurosawa Home.
Kubota Citadel
1-39 Senshu Park,
Akita Metropolis, Japan
