With its rugged coastline, unique cultural traditions, seasonal festivals, stunning viewpoints, and the oldest beech forest in the world, Akita is a must-visit on any Japan travel itinerary. While top spots like Hiroshima, Osaka, and Kyoto often dominate tourist lists, the untouched region of Tohoku in northern Japan deserves attention too.
During our recent trip to Tohoku, we explored the prefectures of Aomori and Akita and were captivated by the natural beauty, delicious food, and the rarity of foreign tourists. Here’s what you need to know about traveling to rural Akita Prefecture: what to see and do, what to expect, how to get around, and more.
Though our stay was brief, the Tohoku Tourism Board provided us with a private driver, allowing us to visit many parts of the prefecture that a typical traveler might miss. Their guidance enabled us to see many highlights of both Akita and Aomori in a short time.
Before our trip, I associated “Akita” with the dog breed, unaware that it is also a Japanese prefecture. While Akita is indeed the origin of these dogs, the area offers so much more. Akita is one of six prefectures in the Tohoku region, located on the northern tip of Honshu Island. Its capital city, also named Akita, adds a bit of confusion.
Nearby Aomori has a wealth of outdoor activities, but Akita feels more traditional. It hosts numerous festivals and cultural events, boasts steamy onsens, picturesque rice paddies, a well-preserved Samurai District, intriguing folklore, and is Japan’s largest sake consumer. With agriculture and fishing as its main industries, many younger residents move to larger cities for other job opportunities, leaving Akita quieter and less developed, holding tightly to its traditions.
Tourists will find plenty to explore, such as the Oga Peninsula, Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kakunodate town, and Towada and Tazawa Lakes. And the local food is divine! Whether you’re into culture, outdoor activities, festivals, or just need a break, Akita has something for everyone. We wish we had more time to explore areas like Lake Towada but based on our short visit, we’d gladly return.
A highlight of traveling in Japan is tasting each prefecture’s unique cuisine. While sushi and ramen are nation-wide favorites, regional dishes shouldn’t be missed. In Akita, kiritampo and inaniwa noodles are local specialties. Kiritampo is cooked rice mashed, pounded, wrapped around cedar skewers, toasted over an open fire, and added to various dishes, including hot-pot soup. Inaniwa noodles, celebrated for their chewy and smooth texture, are a must-try, especially in Akita City and Yuzawa.
Another culinary delight was cold, boiled wheat noodles served with ice cubes, dipped in tsuyu sauce with ginger and chives. We enjoyed every last bite.
We also visited the Namahage Museum in Oga, witnessing a reenactment of the traditional Namahage festival. On New Year’s Eve, men dressed in straw outfits and demonic masks visit homes, scaring children with warnings against laziness, and advising hard study and respect for elders. At the end of their visit, the household head offers them sake and food to calm them. This has been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
To reach Oga from Akita Train Station, take a one-hour train ride on the Ou Line (covered by the JR Rail Pass), then a 25-minute bus ride from Oga Station. Alternatively, a taxi is an option. While in Oga, don’t miss the sunset at Cape Nyudozaki or the silhouette of “Godzilla Rock.”
In Akita, the Kawabata Geisha culture was once prominent but has waned over time, mostly surviving in Kyoto. However, there is a revival thanks to efforts by individuals like Ms. Chinatsu Mizuno. You can experience this culture at Kaneyu in Noshiro, an 80-year-old building where tourists can arrange meals with Geisha and Maiko performances.
Akita City’s Senshu Park offers a serene escape with grassy areas, Kubota Castle, ponds, and shrines. However, we were disappointed to see a caged Akita dog on display, which we feel tourists should avoid.
Noshiro hosts the Noshiro Tanabata “Tenku-no-Fuyajo” festival every August, featuring large, intricate lanterns paraded through the streets. If visiting in winter, don’t miss the Yokote Kamakura Snow Huts Festival with illuminated snow huts. For fireworks lovers, the Omagari Fireworks Festivals in Omagari are among Japan’s best.
Akita holds numerous festivals year-round, so there’s always something exciting happening.
The Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage site shared with Aomori prefecture is ideal for hiking, surrounded by the largest beech forest in the world. Though technically in Aomori, the Juniko Lakes are worth a visit for their beauty.
No visit to Japan is complete without experiencing an onsen. Akita’s Nyuto Onsenkyo in the mountains offers outdoor baths surrounded by nature. Taenoyu, Ganiba, and Magoroku are particularly recommended.
Getting to Akita from Tokyo is straightforward with the Akita Shinkansen Komachi 1 train, a four-hour journey included in the JR Rail Pass. Akita Prefecture is navigable by bus, train, taxi, or rental car. While a rental car for your entire Japan trip isn’t necessary due to the efficiency of the trains, a day rental for specific trips can be useful.
The Tohoku region amazed us with its offerings. This northeastern area of Japan, filled with off-the-beaten-path adventures, cultural highlights, and friendly people, has left us eager to return and explore further. Akita, with its rich cultural experiences and appealing features for both adventurers and foodies, earned a special place in our hearts.
We were invited by the Tohoku Tourism Board to explore the region and share our experiences. Akita is a place we’d happily visit again and spend more time discovering. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own, despite the complimentary services received.