Visiting the Samurai's Home: Aoyagi House in Kakunodate Bukeyashiki Street

When mentioning famous attractions in Akita Prefecture, Japan, one must think of Kakunodate's Samurai Street, lined with historic samurai residences and roads full of autumn leaves. If you want to visit one of these houses, the most famous is the Aoyagi House, which covers 3,000 tsubo. The Aoyagi House, a samurai residence with a 400-year history in Mutsu, features a large garden of 3,000 tsubo after entering through the medicine gate. The tour route includes the Kiryuu Family Main House, the Weapon House, Shinmei Water, the Dissection New Book Memorial Hall, the Tea House, the Akita Folk Museum, the Night Cherry Blossom Hermitage, and the Samurai Tool Museum. In addition to viewing the early samurai lifestyle, you can also experience activities such as samurai swords, antique markets, and wearing samurai armor, which is quite interesting. The garden, covering 3,000 tsubo, is planted with many towering cedar and maple trees, turning golden and red in autumn, making it very beautiful. Kakunodate's entire Bukeyashiki Street attracts many tourists. With its old thatched houses and maple street scenes, it has a Kyoto-like atmosphere, hence it is known as the 'Little Kyoto of Mutsu,' making it a great place for photos. The Aoyagi House also has a tea shop and a dining hall, so you can rest in the tea house if you get tired. Overall, it is a very leisurely trip.