Why Japan's Countryside is Disappearing

Head to a local restaurant like 'A Home' in Odate to try Hinai Jidori chicken, a breed exclusive to Akita and considered one of the top three most delicious chicken breeds in Japan. I tried the Yakitori Rice Bowl with minced chicken and negima, and Joey had an Oyakodon (egg and chicken bowl). The chicken is incredibly soft, juicy, and has a slightly gamey flavor, making it the best yakitori I've ever had. It's a real deal, not an exaggeration, and definitely a reason to visit Akita.

Brace yourself for Odate Fuji, ironically named 'large scale Fuji,' standing at a mere 3.776 meters tall – one thousandth the size of Mount Fuji. It's an artificial hill on reclaimed land that used to be a lake. Despite its disappointing size, the climb is quick, taking only about 10 seconds to reach the summit. From the top, you can almost see the car you arrived in. It's a bit of a troll, but a unique experience.

Head to the Oga Peninsula, the most western part of Akita, to find Godzilla Rock. You need to look at it from the perfect angle on the third night of the summer moon for it to resemble Godzilla. It requires a great deal of interpretation, looking more like a lizard or Barney the dinosaur. The whole point is to see its silhouette against the sunset, as seeing the rock's details takes away from the experience. While the rock itself might be a 'suitable disappointment,' the surrounding coastline and the Sea of Japan are beautiful.

Experience a traditional Japanese homestay at Minshuku Kadowaki, a bed and breakfast owned by the Kadowaki family. The entrance is impressive with face masks and scrolls, and the place feels huge and traditional, smelling like a grandma's house. The dimly lit corridors with wooden paneling and shoji doors lead to rooms that are very hot due to kerosene heaters. It's one of the coolest places I've stayed on the whole trip, offering a real family household experience in Japan.