2024 Akita Prefecture Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

Experience the Hidden Mixed-Gender Hot Springs in Japan

Embark on a unique adventure at Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen, two hidden gems in the Nyuto Onsen area. To reach these secluded hot springs, purchase the Nyuto Onsen Tour Pass, available at local inns, and take the tour bus that conveniently drops you off at these locations. During our visit, we chose Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen for their enchanting mixed-gender baths surrounded by a snowy forest landscape. Upon arrival, we found the place empty, allowing us to capture some beautiful photos. However, as more visitors arrived, photography became impossible. Remember to bring a large towel for changing, as the dressing area is only shielded by a curtain. Embrace the experience with confidence, and remember, if you don't feel awkward, neither will others. We even encountered a fellow bather from Tsurunoyu again at Kaniyu Onsen, highlighting the friendly atmosphere. Overall, this was an extraordinary and highly recommended experience. #HotSpring #JapaneseOnsen #TravelTips

2024 Japan Snowy Onsen Trip Day 5: Nyuto Onsen Village

Finally, we arrived at the most important stop of this onsen trip, Akita's Nyuto Onsen Village. The entire itinerary was planned around this location because the hotels here are incredibly difficult to book. Luckily, a room at Kaniyu Onsen Hotel became available in early January, and I quickly reserved it, connecting the other destinations around it. Due to the suspension of the Shirakami train at the end of January and early February, transportation became more challenging, forcing us to backtrack a few times. We took the Akita Shinkansen from Akita to Tazawako Station, where the information was clear. From bus stop 1, we boarded the Ugo Kotsu bus to Nyuto Onsen, arriving at the final stop after about 40 minutes. We checked into Kaniyu Onsen Hotel, a standard onsen hotel with some history. After checking in, we headed straight to the outdoor mixed-gender onsen, walking through snow-covered woods over a meter thick to reach the secluded forest onsen. The atmosphere was incredible, and we were lucky to have it to ourselves. The warm spring water enveloped us as we listened to the rustling of the wind through the trees, creating an unreal feeling. After enjoying the outdoor secret bath, returning to the indoor baths felt lackluster; the outdoor experience was the highlight. One downside was the food, which was quite poor. Dinner consisted of a small piece of mentaiko fish as the only meat, with the rest being side dishes. Thankfully, I brought fermented tofu to eat with rice to barely fill up. The next day, I got up early, bought a hot spring tour pass, and took the hot spring tour bus to Tsurunoyu. Here, I enjoyed the milky outdoor mixed-gender secret bath. Tsurunoyu has a historical feel, with all black wooden rooms, and you can enter without buying a day pass as no one checks. There were many bathers today, and even a sudden heavy snowfall didn't deter anyone, making it impossible to take photos. The other two indoor black and white baths were just average. After checking off Tsurunoyu, I took the hot spring tour bus to Nyuto Onsen. Nyuto Onsen mainly features a pool facing a waterfall, but it's small and crowded with too many people. Having visited the main onsens, I felt exhausted. Since the hot spring tour pass is valid for a year, I plan to return during the romantic autumn foliage to visit the remaining ones. With two days left on the Tohoku pass, the next stop is Aomori. #JapanTravel #Onsen #Akita

Kakunodate Weeping Cherry Blossoms in Akita Prefecture

Visiting Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture, one might be struck by the illusion of stepping back in time. The streets, still perfectly preserving the samurai residences of the past, are adorned with the weeping cherry blossoms of Kakunodate, which bloom from the black walls and paint the town in a beautiful shade of pink. It is recommended to dress in a kimono, take a rickshaw ride to enjoy the cherry blossoms, and fully immerse oneself in the charming atmosphere of Kakunodate as the rickshaw gently sways. Moreover, the Hinokinaigawa embankment near the samurai residences is a famous spot for viewing Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms. The joy of flower viewing is to eat a Hanami bento under the fully bloomed cherry trees. Address: Kakunodate Town, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture Transportation: Take the Akita Shinkansen from Sendai Station and get off at 'JR Kakunodate Station', then it's a 20-minute walk.

#2024wish

Here is Akita - "Sleepless City of Sky" on Double Seventh Festival in Noshiro. This is an emerging fiesta, but the convention to celebrate the double seventh has been developed since ancient times. Each "Sleepless City of Sky" centers on lanterns of these two castles, with numerous small lanterns and dance performance of non-governmental organizations. These activities also make each summer so wonderful and bustling.

[Summer unique experience - "Snow Cave Festival"] hand snow cave festival, has a tradition of more than 400 years. Very famous in Japan, it is a winter special snow festival in the Northeast. Although it came to Yokohama in the summer, I experienced the real scene of the winter snow cave in the snow cave room of the Snow Cave Museum in Yokote City Exchange Center. The water god is worshipped in the snow cave, because the horizontal hand is a basin, and it is hard to rain in summer, so I hope that the water god will bless and the rain will be abundant next year. This has been kept at minus 17 degrees, and you can feel it here all year round. Must come to play a card in winter, only held on February 15 and 16 each year. The specialty shops here can buy delicious pickled radish and delicious red grape juice. There is also a special dessert shop next to the Yokote City Exchange Center. Its fun, their desserts are based on bugs and theyre made to life.

The Tazawa Lake in Akita Prefecture is the deepest lake in Japan, with a water depth of more than 400 meters. The symbol here is a bronze-painted gold-painted statue of Chen Zi, from the legend of Chen Zi Ji. It seems to be a cloudy day, but I think it should be like this. There is also a small driftwood shrine on the lakeside. You can take a boat trip around the lake, or take a bike for two or three hours around the lake. At the Tazawa Lake, I ate the rice bowl Udon noodles and the gossip pork shabu-shabu in Akita Prefecture. Put the vegetables in the pan, then the pork can be eaten for a few seconds. Udon noodles are soft and smooth, like ~~

I came to the corner hall in the middle of Akita Prefecture, as if I had passed back to the Edo era. The towns that began construction in 1620 have Nakamachi (Wujia Mansion) and Outer Town (Businessmen Street), and have remained intact for nearly four hundred years. It is also known as "the small Kyoto of the Austrian Olympics". In fact, there are more than 30 small Kyotos in Japan. Perhaps the visitors are scattered around the five o'clock, and the shops outside are also closed, especially clean. The Wujiaguan Guanqing Liujia is also the historical village of Jiaoguan. There are main houses, arsenals, local pavilions and appliance halls in the courtyard. All the buildings and exhibits are used by the Qingliu family. The main entrance (Pharmacist Gate) was built in 1860, and the thatched roofed house was still the actual residence of the Qingliu family until 1985. Address: Kanamachi, Sakaecho, Sakae-shi, Akita Prefecture

Tazawako is a famous sightseeing spot in Akita, Japan. It is located in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan. It is the deepest lake in Japan and is 249 meters above sea level. Interesting is the water surface of Tazawa Lake. As the light and angle change, the lake will change from emerald to dark blue. If you don't see it with your own eyes, it's hard to believe that there is such a clear and clear blue lake in the world. The scenery in front of you is really like the tourist postcards that are a little exaggerated. The edge of the shoal of Tazawa Lake is erected with a golden "Chenzi", which is said to be made to commemorate a girl named "Chen Zi". In order to get the beauty that never fades, the child turns into a dragon year. Guarding the Tazawa Lake. The mountains of Tazawa Lake are beautiful in shape and have different colors throughout the year. The bronze statue of this girl who guards the Tazawa Lake all the year round is a symbol of Tazawa Lake. When you arrive, remember to take pictures and take pictures.

Akita not only has mountains and water, but also one of the most popular hot spring towns in Japan. From the spring water flowing from the middle of the nipple mountain in the north of the Tazawako Plateau, seven hot springs are formed, scattered scattered in the mountains. Each source has a hot spring hotel, which is Hezhitang, Miao Naitang, Black Hot Spring, and crab. Hot Springs, Sunliu Hot Springs, Daxie Hot Springs and Niantou Hot Springs Resort Village, this is the famous Nipiao Hot Spring Township (although the name is a bit awkward). Although Miao Nai Tang is a traditional Japanese hot spring hotel, the details are blended with the western style and very chic. Miao Naitang won the first place in the 7th Hot Spring Awards held by BIGLOBE on the Japanese hot spring website. This hot spring award was voted by tourists, which shows that Miao Nai Tang has a very good reputation. The rooms are traditional and small, small and exquisite, and very homey. The room is served with Japanese tea and snacks. The most distinctive feature is the unique "nipple hoe" in the nipple hot spring village~~ So don't put it on the chest to take pictures, hahaha~~ and the general ryokan in modern style Unlike the room, the room of Miao Nai Tang gives a sense of simplicity and elegance. The dinner menu is very rich, from pre-dinner, appetizers to main dishes, pots, and post-meal fruits. All the dishes are carefully designed by the chef of Miao Nai Tang. The ingredients are comprehensive and used. The seasonal products of Akita are very fresh. I have to say that Akita is indeed a unique land of fish and rice!

The northeastern part of Japan is more populous than the big cities of Tokyo and Osaka. Flowers and trees can grow here. From the past three days, nothing has been added from the eyes. It comes from the most authentic and simple nature of nature. view. The young people in the countryside can always find a reason to live in a big city, escape from the slow and unchanging life here, but the people in the city seize the short break of the weekend, escape from the hustle and bustle, come here to feel the most natural Mountain color. The three-day mountain life is so slow that we can have the mood to listen to the raindrops on the shores of Tazawa Lake. Look carefully at which rice fields are ripening, so slow that we mistakenly thought it has passed. A week... The original "Little Forest" depicts not an ideal life, but a real life.

Our lunch was selected at the West Palace, a restaurant converted from a family of more than 300 years old. Today, all the warriors are listed as national key monuments, and the West Palace is one of them. Originally, the food produced by the store with high value of the face did not expect too much. I randomly ordered the parents and children. I didnt imagine the taste was unexpected. Ota sauce later told me that the original chicken was also Akita's specialties, Akita rice and chicken are well-known ingredients in the country, which is limited by the autumn and winter seasons. From the spacious yard outside the door, I cant think of a restaurant hidden inside. The restaurant was built from the original house. The use of large windows and windows makes the interior lighting very good. It is complemented by old-age kerosene lamps and old pianos. European retro style, very elegant. The restaurant also has an indoor part. Basically, the western style is more intense. There are also hand-made coffee filters that have been preserved for hundreds of years. The tableware used is also a very sophisticated ceramic. It is simple to eat. Just a meal, there is already a full sense of ritual.

Festival Festival is one of the most important festivals in the Kakunodate. It is held on September 7-9 every year. It has a history of 350 years. It is a god-honoring ceremony jointly held by the Shenming Society and the Pharmacist Hall in the Kakuno area. It is also the United Nations. One of the intangible cultural heritages of 33 Mountains, Donkeys and Houses recorded by UNESCO. Every year, the whole city pays great attention to it, and children as young as possible will participate. Its not hard to see the photos. All the men are pushing the float called Trolling the Mountain. The girl is dressed in a large dress above the float, and the inside of the float is hidden in the vocal music. The band, when the ritual ceremony is going on, the girl will dance with the music on the float. When the teams that are dragging the mountains meet each other, in order to compete for the right of priority, the arrogant performance will make the mountains collide with each other. This process is called mountain collision. The whole scene is rough and magnificent. !