Lovely Things to Do in Akita Prefecture
Akita is prefecture of Japan located on the western coast of the country facing the Sea of Japan. It is landlocked by 3 prefectures towards north, south and east. Places to visit in Akita include castles, samurai houses, shrines, museums, cultural centers, temples, observation decks, ski resorts, and hot springs. Akita prefecture has abundant natural wonders to explore by hiking, skiing, boating, kayaking, cave exploration, and mountaineering among things to do in Akita. There are many reasons for people to visit Akita. Some enjoy exploring the untouched wilderness, while others enjoy learning and experiencing the culture. Some people just want to go though Akita tourist attractions, while others look to engage in traditions and festivals among things to do in Akita. Some people come for skiing, while some to enjoy natural hot spring baths. The places to visit in Akita cover a broad spectrum of tourist expectations.
Japan is famous for the Samurais, the elite warriors of feudal Japan. You can visit authentic samurai houses in Kakunodate among things to see in Akita. These houses will give you an insight into the life, culture, customs, and traditions of samurai warriors. Some of these houses are still run by actual Samurai and their family members. You will get a good guided tour at any of these houses. There is actually an entire street of such houses among Akita tourist attractions called the Samurai House Street or Bukeyashiki Dori in Japanese. You can also take a ride in a hand pulled rickshaw called Jinrikisha while you enjoy Akita sightseeing.
One of the most popular reasons to visit Akita for those seeking cultural experience is the Namahage festival and Namahage museum in Oga district of Akita prefecture. The festival is focused on Namahage demons, which are known to be the messengers of the mountain gods. It is said that they visit people during this festival, including those on Akita travel, to purge the evil and bless the good. The Namahage museum also allows you experience the rituals and culture first hand. People dress up in straw costumes with fierce looking masks to imitate Namahage and perform traditional dance to the music of drums during this festival. It is a unique culture & tradition to experience, hence its place among Akita attractions. The two best places besides the Namahage festival to experience this tradition are Namahage Museum and Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, both are very popular among things to see in Akita.
Several people visit Akita to enjoy hot spring bath. These natural thermal pools have a variety of medicinal benefits and have become a part of Akita travel for spa, leisure or treatment. Majority of these hot springs fall under a spa center or a spa resort. But there are also a few hidden gems in the wilderness of the mountains for people to discover among Akita attractions. The most popular Hot Springs are located on Mount Nyuto. You will also see them frequently in Akita travel guide. These Hot Spring baths are a part of spa resorts. You can go in for a bath and be on your way or even stay overnight to enjoy private baths with incredible natural views among things to see in Akita. Hot Springs bath are also included in things to do in Akita city, but you don’t get as incredible a view as you would amidst the trees and the mountains.
Akita is also said to be the place of origin for Akita dog breed. It is one of the most popular dog breeds in Japan. You can play with these dogs ,click pictures with them and even learn about their history at the Akita Dog Museum. This is one of the things to do in Akita you wouldn’t want to miss out on if you are a dog lover.
Akita is also known for numerous lakes you can visit for Akita sightseeing. These beautiful waterbodies are surrounded by colorful trees and plants. Lake Tazawa, the Dragon Eye Lake, and Lake Towada are the most popular among things to see in Akita. You can also enjoy lesser known places to visit in Akita like Lake Sukawa, Lake Kansagu, and Lake Taihei. Boat rides, kayaking, and hiking along the coast of the lakes to enjoy the unbridled beauty of nature are all popular things to do in Akita.
Although there are many festivals you can check out for things to see in Akita. But, one particular festival worth experiencing among Akita tourist attractions is the Yokote Kamakure Festival. You can enjoy a wonderful time in igloos in Yokote city. You can enjoy a stay in or visit these igloos any time in winter, but you get to experience special hospitality from the locals if you visit Akita during the festival. Other interesting festivals to explore on Akita travel are Akita Kanto Festival, Omagari Fireworks Festival, Paper Balloon Festival, National Fireworks Festival, Komachi Festival, Nishimonai Bon Odori Festival, Hanawabayashi Festival, and Innuko Festival.
Akita is not as frequented by tourists as other prefectures, but is still quite popular for all the reasons mentioned above and more. If you do visit Akita, make sure you take time to indulge in culture and traditions.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Akita, Japan
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Akita, Japan
- Namahage Museum
- Akita Museum of Art
- Akita Furusato-mura Museum
- Aoyagi Manor
- Oyu Stone Circle Site
- Kamakura Museum
- Shinzan Shrine
- Ishiguro Samurai House
- Gozanoishi Shrine
- Kakunodate Samurai House
- Akita Castle
- Unshoji Buddhist Temple
- Osarizawa Historical Mining Site
- Kosaka Mine Office & Museum
- Yokote Masuda Manga Museum
- Red Brick Local Museum
- Kosaka Railroad Museum
- Nyudozaki Lighthouse
- Yokote Castle
- Cherry Bark Work Museum / Kabazaiku Denshokan
- Akita Museum of Modern Art
- Akagami Shrine
- Wakimoto Castle
- Akita Dog Museum
- Akita Shiritsu Senshu Museum
- Akita City Folks Performing Heritage Center
- Akita Prefectural Museum
- Chokaisan Wooden Toy Museum
- Kubota Castle Ruins
- Kaneyu Samurai House
- Towada Shrine
- Ogashizan Folklore Museum
- Masuda Storages
- Unganji Temple
- Matagi Museum
- Akita Folk Performing Arts Heritage Center
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Akita, Japan
- Lake Tazawa
- Oga Peninsula
- Cape Nyudo
- Dakigaeri Valley
- Mount Moriyoshi
- Mount Kanpu
- Oyasukyo Canyon
- Mount Akita-Komagatake
- Hottai Falls
- Hachirogata Pond
- Kawarage Oyutaki Waterfall
- Mount Kawarage Jigoku
- Mount Taihei
- Mototaki Fukuryusui Waterfalls
- Yasu no Taki Waterfalls
- Godzilla Rock
- Dragon Eye Lake
- Kuma Kuma Park
- Akita Yake Yama Volcano
- Kogan Gorge
- Nanataki Falls
- Hinokinai River
- Mount Kampu
- Sukawa Lake
- Nakajimadai Shikogabana Wetlands
- Kansagu Lake
- Taihei Lake
- Kakunodate Weeping Cherry Tree
- Mount Tashiro
- Todo Waterfalls
- Lake Towada
- Mount Hachimantai
- Towada Hachimantai National Park
- Mount Kurikoma
- Mount Nyutoyama
- Choshi Otaki Waterfalls
- Mount Tome
- Akamizu Gorge
- Nekobari Rock
- Iwaido Cave
- Oyasukyo Daifunto
- Komata Valley
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Akita, Japan
- Tsuru No Yu Hot Springs
- Oga Aquarium
- Tazawako Ski Resort
- Akitashi Omoriyama Zoo
- Ani Ski Resort
- Nyuto Onsenkyo Hot Spring Bath
- Tamagawa Onsen Hot Spring Bath
- Takanoyu Onsen Hot Springs
- Oyu Onsen Hot Springs
- Kakunodate Sanso Sakura Hot Springs
- Oga Hot Springs
- Taiheizan Resort Park
- Jeunesse Kurikoma Ski Resort
- Akita Hachimantia Ski Resort
- Sangaitaki River
- Yunosawa Yumoto Onsen Hot Springs
- Sukawa Kougen Onsen
- Ganiba Onsen Hot Springs
- Hachimantai Hot Springs
- Hachimori Isaribi Onsen Hatahata Kan Hot Springs
- Kaneyu Kimono & Photoshoot Experience
- Oga Omiyage Experience
- Goshougake Onsen
- Oku Oyasukyo Ooyu Onsen Hot Springs
- Towada Oyu Onsen Hot Springs
- Junsai Picking Experience
- Yokoto City Fureai Center Igloo Experience
- Akinomiya Onsenkyo Hot Springs Experience
- Tazawako Kogen Hot Springs
Shopping in Akita, Japan
- Kakunodate Merchant District
- Hanawa Morning Market
- Gojome Morning Market
- Shibata Yoshinobu Shoten
- Ogachino Kimuraya
- Souvenir Shop, Akita Station
Beaches in Akita, Japan
- Kamayahama Beach
- Miyazawa Beach
- Kisakata Beach
- Detohama Beach
- Honjo Marina Beach
- Shirahama Beach
- Kaze no Matsubara Beach
- Tazawakoyueijo Beach
- Hamada Hama Beach
- Iriai Beach
- Iwadate Beach
- Anden Coast
- Asanaihama Beach
- Hachimori Beach
- Hirasawa Beach
- Michikawa Beach
- Kosagawa Beach
- Ushiroyachi Kokuyurin Beach
- Hirasawa Beach
- Nishimekaigan Beach
- Katsura Hama Beach
- Toga Beach
- Unosaki Kaigan
- Shimohama Beach
- Akaishi Hama Beach
- Konoura Beach
- Hachimori Iwa Beach
- Nishime Kaigan
- Oga Nishi Kaigan
Offbeat Places, Tours & Adventure Things to do in Akita, Japan
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Oyasukyo Hot Springs Hike
- Kawarage Oyutaki Hotspring Hike
- Kawarage Jigoku Hike
- Kawarage Jigoku Hot Springs
- Odate-Kosaka Rail Bike Ride
- Akita Shirakami Kayaking
- Mount Miroyashi Ropeway
- Sappa Boat Ride
Sightseeing in Akita, Japan
- Senshu Park
- Akita City Port Tower Saline
- Statue of Tatsuko
- Otome no zo Statue
- Kimimachizaka Prefectural Nature Park
- Hichibodai Observation Deck
- Tenno Greenland Park
- Mato Park
- Hakka Touge Observation Deck
- Akita Prefectural Central Park
- Port of Akita
- Hakka Toge Viewpoint
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Akita, Japan
- Yoki Na Kaasan No Mise
- Yuunaya
- Honke Abeya Akita
- Sato Yoksa
- Ganso Murasaki
- Idehaya
- Marutake Shokudou
- Izakaya Akita no Taki
- Akita Gyu Gen Tei
- Nihon Ryori Takamura
- Kiritan Poya
- Fujiharu Shokudo
- Sake-doko Berabo
- Sato Yosuke Shoten
- Butter Mochi at Takanosu Station
- Sakura Komachi
- Akita Hinauchiya
- Wa Daidokoro Hana
- Babahera Ice
- Kinman Honpo
How to Reach Akita, Japan?
By Air
There are 2 domestic airports for Akita travel. You can catch a flight from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, or Kyushu to visit Akita. You will be choosing between Akita Airport in Akita city and Odate-Noshiro Airport in northern parts of the Akita Prefecture. Akita Airport is perfect for easy access to things to see in Akita city. But you wish to experience winter activities among things to do in Akita, then you should go for Odate-Noshiro Airport. You can also take buses and public transport directly from the airports to other places to visit in Akita prefecture.
By Road
The road journeys are amazing as there are several things to see in Akita Prefecture. You can also catch a train from Tokyo for Akita travel. There are buses running between all Prefectures which would easily facilitate you to visit Akita. If you are clear to drive in Japan, do rent a car or hire a cab to ride between prefectures. You will enjoy Akita sightseeing with the views of nature and you will also get to explore some of the most fun roads with incredible scenery in Japan. You can carry a Akita travel guide for your road trip and hit multiple Akita tourist attractions on the ride. You might even discover some unexplored Akita attractions while on the road. This mode will especially suite you well if you are looking to explore nature and enjoy scenery among things to do in Akita.
By Water
Ferry rides are also popular among things to do in Akita, the views of the coasts as well as the ocean are amazing for Akita sightseeing. Shin Nihonkai Ferry runs between northern and southern parts of Japan and is a popular mode of transport to use when you visit Akita. You will be able to catch ferries from Otaru and Tomakomai in Hokkaido for Akita travel. If you are on the southern side of Akita, you can catch a boat ride from Niigata, Tsuruga, and Maizuru. You can enjoy various things to see in Akita while on the ferry ride.
