3 Days in Akita : Japan's Most Unvisited Region

@Tokyo Kenchan

Tokyo Kenchanyoutubethe post

Explore Akita Prefecture's Kakunodate samurai district, the Yokote Manga Museum, and enjoy a scenic ride on the Inaho limited express train, discovering local foods and unique experiences along the way.

13 places · 2 experiences

1
Kakunodate Station
Train station · 仙北市
4.0 (3)
Creator's voice
The gateway to Kakunodate, where you're welcomed with hot amazake and sake with apple. It's also home to a tourist information center where you can get maps, ask questions, and store luggage for ¥500.
Japan, 〒014-0368 秋田県仙北市Kakunodatemachi, Kakunodate Station, 中菅沢１４
- Hot amazake — A warm, sweet, non-alcoholic fermented rice drink offered as a welcome to tourists right in front of Kakunodate Station. Perfect for a cold day.
2
Kakunodate Tourist Information Center
Tourist information center · Semboku
4.2 (145)Open · until 6 PM
Creator's voice
A helpful spot at Kakunodate Station with English and Japanese maps, English brochures, restrooms, and staff to answer questions. You can also store your luggage here for ¥500.
Tourist Information Center Kakunodate, Kamisugazawa-394-2 Kakunodatemachi, Semboku, Akita 014-0369, Japan
3
Matcha Hotel Kakunodate
Japanese-style business hotel · Semboku
4.1 (352)
Creator's voice
A hotel located at the corner entrance to Kakunodate's Old Town area.
Machiya Hotel Kakunodate, Nanokamachi-1-1 Kakunodatemachi, Semboku, Akita 014-0323, Japan
4
Bukeyashiki Street
Semboku
Creator's voice
The main street of Kakunodate's Old Town, famous for preserving many samurai residences from the Edo period. Some houses are open to visitors for an admission fee. It's especially stunning during cherry blossom season.
Bukeyashiki St, Semboku, Akita, Japan
- Oyakodon with Hinajidori chicken — A delicious oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) made with Akita's local Hinajidori chicken. The egg is sweet and soft, and the chicken is chunky, juicy, and full of flavor.
- Soft serve ice cream — A popular treat enjoyed by everyone along Bukeyashiki Street.
Experience · 1 place
Explore a samurai residence and try on armor
Step into Aoyagike, one of the samurai houses open to visitors on Bukeyashiki Street. You can look around the displays of swords and armors, with English explanations available. For ¥1,000, you can also enjoy a tea ceremony. The highlight is trying on a kabuto (helmet) and armor, and if you make a reservation, you can even try on a full suit of armor!
5
Aoyagike Samurai House
Heritage building · Semboku
4.2 (35)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
One of the samurai houses on Bukeyashiki Street open to visitors, displaying swords and armors with English explanations. You can also have tea for ¥1,000 and try on kabuto and armor.
Kakunodate Historical Village – Aoyagi Residence, ３ Kakunodatemachi Omotemachishimocho, Semboku, Akita 014-0331, Japan
6
Yokote Station
Train station · Yokote
3.8 (247)
Creator's voice
A station on the Ou Main and Kitakami Lines. It's a convenient hub, and the entrance to the Yokote Plaza Annex hotel is directly connected.
Yokote Station, 5 Ekimaechō, Yokote, Akita 013-0036, Japan
- Yokote yakisoba — A local specialty yakisoba from Yokote, which the creator enjoyed at a store during the Kamakura Festival near Yokote Station.
7
Yokote Plaza Annex
- Natural hot spring baths — The hotel boasts two natural hot spring baths, one on the first floor and another on the seventh floor. A perfect way to relax after a day of exploring.
- Onsen tamago — A perfectly half-boiled egg, served as part of the hotel's excellent breakfast buffet.
- Tororo (mountain yam) — Grated mountain yam, a traditional Japanese dish, available at the hotel's breakfast.
- Kiritampo — Akita's special food, a grilled rice stick, served as part of the hotel's breakfast.
- Nikujaga — A Japanese dish of meat, potatoes, and onions stewed in a sweet soy sauce, offered at the hotel's breakfast.
- Chikuzen-ni — A Japanese stew of chicken and root vegetables, available at the hotel's breakfast.
- Iburigakko (smoked pickles) — Homemade smoked pickles, a local Akita specialty, served at the hotel's breakfast.
8
Yokote Kamakura Snow Dome
Museum · Yokote
3.8 (5)Closed · opens Thursday 9 AM
Small museum with displays of traditional snow-made houses, plus a gift shop of local products.
Kamakura Museum (Kamakura-kan Hall), 8-12 Chuomachi, Yokote, Akita 013-0023, Japan
9
Masuda Manga Museum
Art museum · Yokote
4.5 (1,946)Open · until 6 PM
Yokote Masuda Manga Museum, 増田まんが美術館内 Shinmachi-285 Masudamachi Masuda, Yokote, Akita 019-0701, Japan
- Bath powder (Nyuto Onsen theme) — A bath powder souvenir with an image of Akita's Nyuto Onsen, featuring Hachiko the Akita dog meeting his owner Mr. Ueno and going to Nyuto Onsen together. A cute concept.
10
Akita Station
Train station · Akita
4.1 (1,334)
Creator's voice
A fun station with various monuments and statues, including Akita's famous Namahage and Akita dogs. It's directly connected to the city street and offers a wide selection of ekiben (station bento boxes) from Akita.
Akita Station, 7 Chome-1-2 Nakadori, Akita, 010-0001, Japan
11
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Akita
Hotel · Akita
4.3 (278)
Creator's voice
A newly opened business hotel in Akita City, offering comfortable single rooms with a desk by the window, a Zojirushi kettle, a safe box, and a unit bath. Amenities like coffee, tea, bath powder, face wash, comb, razor, and toothbrush are available in the lobby.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Akita Ekimae, ダイワロイネットホテル秋田駅前 1F 2 Chome-3-20 Nakadori, Akita, 010-0001, Japan
- Single bed room — A comfortable single room with a table/desk by the window, a fridge, nightwear (shirt and pant), a safe box, cups, glasses, and a Zojirushi kettle. The unit bath is notably big.
- Big unit bath — The hotel's unit bath is described as very big, offering more space than typical hotel bathrooms. The washlet button is conveniently located on the wall.
- Lobby amenities — A selection of amenities available in the lobby, including coffee, tea leaves, bath powder (the same Nyuto Onsen themed one from Yokote), face wash, comb, razor, and toothbrush.
12
Akaibunko Coffee Shop
Cafe · Akita
4.2Closed · opens tomorrow 7 AM
Creator's voice
A unique coffee shop located right next to the morning market in Akita City. If you order a drink, you get free toast. The shop is filled with books that you can read or purchase for ¥100, with proceeds donated to children who cannot buy books.
Café Akai Bunko, M's Building 1F 4 Chome-6-16 Nakadori, Akita, 010-0001, Japan
- Free toast with drink — A complimentary toast served when you order a drink at Akaibunko Coffee Shop, making for a quick and pleasant breakfast.
- Used books · ¥100 — You can pick any book to read or purchase for ¥100, with the money donated to children. The creator found a book about Akita by chance.
Experience · 1 place
Scenic ride on the Limited Express Inaho Green Car
Take the Limited Express Inaho from Akita to Niigata, especially in the Green Car. This train connects parts of Japan not typically served by Tokyo-centric routes. The Green Car offers amazing seats with lots of privacy, where you barely see other passengers. You'll enjoy beautiful coastal scenery and mountains along the way. Don't forget to grab a local bento box to enhance the experience. The extra cost for the Green Car is totally worth it for the comfort and views.
13
Niigata Station
Train station · Niigata
3.9 (1,961)
Creator's voice
The arrival point for the Limited Express Inaho. It's conveniently designed for transfers to the Shinkansen, with direct access on the same platform without needing to go up or down stairs.
Niigata Station, 1 Chome-1-1 Hanazono, Chuo Ward, Niigata, 950-0086, Japan

20 extraction issues

item "Green Car with privacy seats": belongs to no place or experience in the post
item "Coastal and mountain scenery": belongs to no place or experience in the post
item "Local bento box": belongs to no place or experience in the post
collection "Kakunodate Samurai Town Exploration": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":1,"placeId":"ChIJY8XvokSaj18RdJGtjt2CtcI"}
collection "Kakunodate Samurai Town Exploration": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":2,"placeId":"ChIJaR_Va0eaj18R20p6lncDl-A"}
collection "Kakunodate Samurai Town Exploration": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":3,"placeId":"ChIJbZ-0r2maj18RrR-9PiuqV7A"}
collection "Kakunodate Samurai Town Exploration": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":4,"placeId":"ChIJ17RfjWWaj18RgaxMk5aONVk"}
collection "Kakunodate Samurai Town Exploration": member in a shape the assembler does not write: {"meId":1,"meRef":"ing_3Nwj5t6U9to_me_0"}
collection "Kakunodate Samurai Town Exploration": 1 member(s); a collection has at least 2
collection "Yokote's Manga and Local Flavors": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":6,"placeId":"ChIJB6iLHf8Pj18Rc0ZDsaSkZl4"}
collection "Yokote's Manga and Local Flavors": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":7}
collection "Yokote's Manga and Local Flavors": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":8}
collection "Yokote's Manga and Local Flavors": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":9}
collection "Yokote's Manga and Local Flavors": 0 member(s); a collection has at least 2
collection "Akita City Market and Train Journey": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":10,"placeId":"ChIJU49AUZLCj18RLQ-0Ko9_Wzw"}
collection "Akita City Market and Train Journey": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":11,"placeId":"ChIJNQHMWgDDj18RCWD0RFt9Mm0"}
collection "Akita City Market and Train Journey": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":12,"placeId":"ChIJX2yGfs_Dj18ROs8nkUTcRo8"}
collection "Akita City Market and Train Journey": member in a shape the assembler does not write: {"meId":2,"meRef":"ing_3Nwj5t6U9to_me_1"}
collection "Akita City Market and Train Journey": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":14}
collection "Akita City Market and Train Journey": 1 member(s); a collection has at least 2