The Eclectic Northern Charm of Akita

📍 Tokyo Station to Kakunodate Station: 3 h

Today is a self-guided day.

Arrive in Akita Prefecture via bullet train from Tokyo and step into the charming town of Kakunodate, a historical jewel of the northern Tohoku area.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure to explore independently. 

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary: 

Have lunch at Hyakusuien, a traditional restaurant bursting with northern charm. The hearty meals here are based on historic cooking methods used to sustain locals through long, difficult winters. Try the regional take on udon noodles, and discover the delicious ways to use chestnut as a seasoning for rice. The restaurant’s building itself is a marvel, with beautiful exposed woodwork and rooms filled with artwork from around the world.

Work off the calories with a short climb up the hillside to the former site of Kakunodate Castle. Nothing remains of the structure, but the view of the town and its winding river is worth the trek.

Visit the Nishinomiya House, a former merchant residential compound that has been revitalized into a multipurpose facility. In the historic buildings visitors will find a café, museum, and several quaint shops selling local goods.

Optional Tour (Mamachari Countryside Bike Tour): 

Get off the train at Tazawako Station before Kakunodate and transfer by taxi to Lake Tazawa. Meet the guide for a scenic bike tour of the countryside to meet local farmers and sample their fresh produce.

The mamachari (or mum’s bike) is an old-style bicycle with a diagonal sloping cross bar and a basket on the front that is still ubiquitous across Japan. For this tour, e-bike mamcharis are provided, perfect for a day trip around Lake Tazawa. The guide provides unique insight as guests interact with the local population by dropping in on local farms and shops to gather seasonal produce for an afternoon picnic or BBQ. A perfect way to take in the stunning scenery and get a feel for rural Japanese life. 

After the tour, transfer by taxi to Kakunodate. (D)

Note: This tour is only available between July-mid October

Time
Start: 14:00
Duration: 5 h

Overnight in Kakunodate.

Inclusions:

Meet a local private guide in the hotel lobby at 9:00, and get ready for a full day exploring Kakunodate, a former castle town known for its 17th century aesthetic and beautiful old Samurai residences. 

Begin with a one-of-kind experience on an Akita Inu dogwalk. Akita is home to one of Japan’s most famous breeds of dog, and today a fluffy couple of pups – Su-chan and Fujiko (yes, they are married) – will join the morning walk through town. Take in the scenery with these two adorable friends and learn what makes this breed so popular.

Enter the old samurai district, once home to 80 noble families, and discover some of the best samurai architecture one can find in Japan. With the guide, enjoy a walking tour of the historic area, and visit some other notable spots such as the Ando Jozo Soy Sauce & Miso factory and the Aoyagike Samurai Museum. 

In the afternoon, learn about the local craft of Kabazaiku woodworking. This traditional art uses richly coloured bark of Yamazakura cherry trees to produce elegant elegant tea utensils, writing boxes, tea cabinets, and brooches. Get a hands-on appreciation for this craft by taking part in a kabazaiku demonstration and making a keepsake to take home.

Overnight in Kakunodate.

Start Time: 9:00

Duration: 8 h

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Tazawako Station to Tokyo Station: 3 h Tazawako Station to Morioka Station: 40 min Tazawako Station to Sendai Station: 1 h 30 min

Today is a self-guided day. 

Say farewell to Kakunodate and take a short train ride northward to the Tazawako region. Drop the luggage in storage at Tazawako Station and decide which area to explore for the day: beautiful Lake Tazawa or the traditional hot spring town of Nyuto Onsen. 

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary (Lake Tazawa Option): 

Explore the shores of Lake Tazawa, a beautiful caldera lake whose waterside remains largely undeveloped and rural. The lake can be reached easily by bus from Tazawako Station.

Take a sightseeing boat from the eastern shore across the waters to see the famous golden statue of Tatsuko, a local girl said to have been transformed into a dragon. On the northern shore lies Gozan no Ishi Shrine, a rustic site of worship with a highly photogenic red tori gate at the water’s edge.

Bike rentals are available on the eastern shore, and make for a convenient and fun way to get around. Buses run around the circumference of the lake regularly throughout the day.

Distance and journey time (approximation):
Kakunodate Station to Tazawako Station: 15 mins (bullet train)
 

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary (Nyuto Onsen Option): 

Soak up some local bathing culture at Nyuto Onsen, a historic hot spring town accessible by an hourly bus from Tazawako Station.

This is one of the most authentic and old-style bathing experiences one can find in Japan. The onsen hot springs here are traditional, with beautiful outdoor pools set amongst nature and rustic buildings. Some pools are even mixed-gender, a rarity in modern Japan, but a unique chance to experience bathing as it was in centuries past. Single gender baths are available as well.

The oldest hot spring facility in town is Tsuru no Yu, which dates back to the Edo Period and offers milky, light blue water rich in minerals. Another excellent onsen is Tae no Yu, where ladies can bathe in the mixed bath with a towel wrapped around them for privacy. Ookama Onsen features baths inside a reconstructed historic wooden schoolhouse, with slightly muddy waters that are said to be excellent for health.

Buses run between the various hot spring facilities in town throughout the day.

Distance and journey time (approximation):
Tazawako Station to Nyuto Hot Spring Station: 50 mins (train)

Return to Tazawako Station in the afternoon and hop on a bullet train to depart to the next destination on the trip. A return to Tokyo or connection to Morioka or Sendai to continue exploring Tohoku are all possible here.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast