25 Things to Do in Akita

While Akita's beautiful natural scenery can be enjoyed year-round, winter is especially recommended for those who want to experience its hot springs.
Soaking in an onsen while gazing at the snow-covered, traditional Japanese landscape is truly a heavenly experience.
For a trip filled with relaxation in nature and hot springs, consider visiting Akita in the heart of winter.

Akita has two airports, Akita Airport and Odate-Noshiro Airport. You can fly from major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya in about an hour, making access very convenient.
Additionally, the Shinkansen runs to Akita, with travel times from Tokyo ranging from three and a half to four hours.

In Kakunodate, part of the city of Semboku in Akita Prefecture, exists rows of old houses first attributed to the Ashina family in the early Edo period (around year 1620), that later flourished under the castle town of the Satake-Kita family. This district has been designated as protected in an effort to conserve traditional buildings.

This art museum was opened in 2013 in “Area Nakaichi” near Akita Station as a hub of arts and cultures. The modern building was designed by Tadao Ando. The interior with repeated triangles and inorganic concrete walls creates out-of-the-ordinary artistic space.

Along the west coast of Oga Peninsula, there is an aquarium where you can meet fish in the sea of Oga and other popular ocean creatures.
Upon entering, the first thing you see is the Giant Sea of Oga Aquarium, which depicts the sea of Oga with 2000 individuals of fish in 40 species.

355m-tall Mt. Kanpu is located at the back of Oga Peninsula. On top of the mountain, there is Mt. Kanpu Revolving Lookout. Elevation is not that high, but nothing blocks the view at that great scenic place.
Inside, there are a restaurant, souvenir shop, and a display hall on each floor about Wakimoto Castle to the south and its history, Oga Peninsula / Ogata Geo Park, Mt. Kanpu’s plants, etc.

Akita Domain, The ruins of Kubota Castle of the Satake clan, was developed into a large castle site park covering an area of 16.29 hectares. The restored Omonogashira Gobansho, the restored castle's Osumi-yagura Tower, the front gate, and other features gives off the atmosphere of the feudal domain era.

Nyuto-Onsenkyo refers to all hot springs at the foot of Mt. Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Namely, Tsurunoyu, Tae no yu, Kuroyu, Ganiba, Magoroku, Okama, and National Park Resort Village Nyuto-Onsenkyo. The seven onsen lodgings nestled in the beech primeval forest are touted by many fans as hidden treasures with natural beauty, quaint inns, and quality opaque water.

Tamagawa Onsen has the strongest acidic spring in Japan, known as “the therapeutic hot water.” From the source spring called “Ofuki,” 98°C hot water gushes out 9000 liters / min. It is by far the biggest hot spring.

This museum is housed in the former Akita Bank head office, which was completed in 1912. The exterior, mainly made of red brick with white tiles and Oga stone, is based on the Renaissance style and combines strength and beauty. The exterior was designed by Naoaki Yamaguchi, an engineer, and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

Sightseeing in Odate-shi interchange facilities opened in 2019 near JR Odate Station. The building is modeled after the Taisho era Shibuya station building, named after Japan's most famous Akita Inu dog, "Chuken Hachiko" (loyal dog Hachi).
The facility includes an Akita Inu Museum where visitors can enjoy learning about the characteristics and history of Akita Inu. There is an Akita Inu exhibition room where visitors can see Akita Inu and a store with various Akita Inu goods.

This hot spring inn stands alone in the mountains within Towada Hachimantai National Park. Steam rises in the vicinity with the source spring gushing out and a mud volcano which reminds you of Jigokudani (Hell Valley).
The simple sulfur spring provides gray opaque water effective for skin rash, nerve pain, stomach / intestine diseases and more. There is even an old saying, “Come to Goshougake on a horse and walk away.” It is very sulfuric and keeping eggs in the hot spring turns the shell into black. Black eggs are the local specialty.

”Oga no Namahage" is a traditional event of the Oga Peninsula, designated as a nationally important intangible folk cultural property and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the evening of New Year's Eve, people say, "Any lazy people out there? Any crybaby out there?" and walk from house to house to warn people of their misdeeds. Namahage, with its behavior and frightening appearance, looks like an incarnation of a demon, but it is a visiting deity that exercises terrible luck and brings good harvests, bountiful catches, and good fortune.

Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan at 423.4m deep.
The lake, with its breathtakingly beautiful cobalt blue surface, is a scenic spot in Akita Prefecture, selected as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan.
In 2022, the moon rising over Lake Tazawa will be recognized as one of Japan's 100 Most Beautiful Moons, adding even more charm to the lake.

This vast mountainous area covers nearly 13 hectares over northwestern Akita and southwestern Aomori, which has rarely been affected by humans since ancient times. The world’s largest primitive beech forest hosts various native wildlife. The valuable ecosystem was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1993.

Cape Nyudozaki, located at the northernmost tip of the Oga Peninsula in northwest Akita Prefecture, sits directly on the 40th parallel north. This cape offers stunning views, with rolling green grasslands leading to dramatic 30-meter-high cliffs overlooking the vast Sea of Japan. The contrast between the lush green land, blue skies, and the expansive sea makes it a prime spot for breathtaking scenery. Highlights include the climbable "Nyudosaki Lighthouse" and a glass-bottom boat ride.

Located in the upper reaches of the Minase River in Akita Prefecture, "Oyasukyo Gorge" is a dramatic V-shaped canyon carved over centuries by the river's swift currents. The most famous attraction within this gorge is the "Oyasukyo Daifunto" (Great Geyser). Descend approximately 60 meters down the rocky steps to find a walkway where boiling water and steam erupt violently from the ground at various points. This impressive phenomenon, which feels like the Earth is breathing, is caused by the exposure of fissures in the geothermal reservoir, making this a rare geological feature unique to Oyasukyo.

Perched in a northeastern corner of Akita Prefecture at some 180 meters high sits a Jomon era archaeological site, dating back as far as 4,000 years. Designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in July 2021, this spot remains one of 17 “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan”, found scattered across Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, and Iwate Prefectures.

A multi-generational interaction facility that retains the charm of a wooden school building over 60 years old. In addition to playing with wooden toys and large playground equipment, the museum exhibits local cultural artifacts, fulfilling the role of preserving and promoting traditional culture.

Under the theme of "A Forest to Converse with Animals," this zoo houses and exhibits 92 species with 541 animals, including lesser pandas, snow leopards, Arctic wolves, Bactrian camels, and reindeer.
Various exhibition ideas are implemented to make the lively appearance of animals feel closer and more attractive to visitors.

In northwestern Akita, a peninsula rich in nature sticks out into the Japan Sea. It is known nationally for Namahage of Oga which was registered as an UNESCO iIntangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. Namahage of Oga is a traditional event that takes place in over 80 areas of Oga Peninsula on the new year’s eve. In mid February, Namahage Sedo Festival is held, the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum allows you to experience namahage events throughout the year, the Namahage Museum displays more than 150 pieces of Namahage masks. Oga has plenty of events and facilities related to Namahage.

The Akita Inu is a large-sized Japanese dog breed recognized as a natural monument. Despite being a large hunting breed, they are popular for their fluffy and cute appearance. Known for the loyal "Hachiko," the Akita Inu is also reputed for its intelligence and loyalty.

At an elevation of 1,637 meters, Mount Akita-Komagatake is the tallest peak in Akita Prefecture, comprised of several peaks including Oname-dake and Odake. Known as the "flower mountain," it attracts hikers with its vibrant alpine flora from June to August each year.

This all-glass tower and stop at Michi-no-Eki Akita Port stands as an iconic symbol of Akita Port. Towering at 143 meters tall, it offers a free observation deck at 100 meters above ground complete with stunning 360-degree panorama. The view of the expansive Sea of Japan, Akita City, and the Oga Peninsula is one always worth the climb. Make your way up at night and join the savvy many popping up for a date. At 96 meters you’ll find observation cafe "Selion Cafe", the perfect spot for coffee and desserts while taking in the scenery.

A renowned honey specialty store located in Akita Prefecture, one of Japan's leading honey production areas. The shop, housed in a dome-shaped log cabin resembling a beehive, offers a wide variety of honey, including locally sourced horse chestnut and acacia honey from the Tazawako area, as well as lemon, coffee sunflower, and other honey varieties from both domestic and international sources. All products are available for tasting, so you can find your favorite flavor.

In a snow house, Kamakura, the water god placed on an altar is enshrined, a traditional event is held on Koshogatsu (the first month of the lunar calendar) in Akita and Niigata. Kamakura festival is a traditional festival with a history of about 450 years held on the 15th and 16th every February at Yokote, Japan's leading heavy snowfall area, and this festival is the one of the five major snow festivals in Michinoku area.

With over 100 years of history, Omagari Fireworks is one of the Three Best Firework Festivals in Japan. The Suwa Shrine in Omagari started it as an entertainment in their festival in 1910. Now it is the summer staple in Akita.
Officially, it is called the National Fireworks Competition “Omagari Hanabi,” where firework artists chosen from all over Japan bring their very best in order to win Japan's Number One.