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Many people asked me, “Where are you from?” and I answered,
“I am from Akita, Japan.”
"ha?...Aki....Where is Akita ?"
This reaction was the same not only in the Philippines, but also in the United States and Thailand where I had lived, and all other countries traveled before.
Famous cities such as Tokyo and Osaka are well known but Akita is completely unknown to many people around the world...
however,
Akita is Awesome!
This is not because I am from Akita but Akita has many beautiful and mysterious places and there are so many tourist attractions that will give you a unique experience.
So this time, I would like to introduce the COMPLETE travel guide to my hometown AKITA Japan with information on directions, tourist spot, and events for all Filipinos, and also people all over the world !
Where is Akita?
Akita is a one of 48 prefectures in Japan and located in the Tohoku region (which refers as north west part of main island), approximately 662 kilometers from Tokyo.
The prefectural capital is Akita City.
As of August 2022, the population of Akita is 932,227, making it the 38th populated prefecture in Japan.
The main industries in Akita are agriculture and fishing. The rice called "Akita Komachi" is especially famous in Japan.
As for the climate, Akita has extremely few sunshine hours throughout the year. And because of the low temperatures in the inland areas, 90% of the area is heavy snowfall.
Google Map
Akita's famous characteristics
Akita has not many but some famous characteristic.
Akita dog
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Akita dog is a Japanese native dog in Akita prefecture.
It is also designated as a national natural monument and is the only large dog among Japanese dog breeds.
AKITA BIJIN (Akita beauty)
Akita Prefecture is believed to have many beautiful fair-skinned women, and many people who visited Akita say it is true.
Akitakomachi
Akita Prefecture's specialty rice, Akita rice such as "Akitakomachi" and "Hitomebore" is popular not only in Japan but also overseas market.
Kiritanpo
Akita Prefecture has a unique food culture that can only be eaten in Akita. One of them is kiritanpo, a dish made by wrapping mashed rice around a cedar stick from the tip and then grilling it. Also, Inaniwa Udon (noodles)is famous as one of Japan's three major Udon noodles that originated in Inaniwa Town, Yuzawa City, Akita.
Heavy Snowfalls
Akita is known as one of Japan's heaviest snowfall areas, and most of the inland areas are covered with several meters of snow from around November to February every year, so winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are popular.
Tourist spots and events in Akita Prefecture
Festivals and events
Next, I would like to introduce the festival and evens held in Akita.
Kanto Festival
Akita City
Every year from August 3rd to 6th
Along with Aomori's Nebuta Festival and Sendai's Tanabata Festival, the Akita Kanto Festival is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region. The Kanto poles are likened to ears of rice, and the row of lanterns is likened to rice bales...
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[By train] About 15 minutes on foot from JR Akita Station
[Car] About 20 minutes by car from Akita Expressway "Akita Chuo IC"
Sakura (cherry blossoms) Festival
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Semboku City
April 20th to May 5th every year
The Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival is visited by more than 1.2 million people from all over Japan during the period. There are plenty of places to see, such as the old trees over 300 years old, the samurai residence street decorated with 162 weeping cherry trees designated as national natural monuments, and the banks of the Hinokinai River, where Yoshino cherry trees decorate the embankment for 2 kilometers. Various events are held here and there in the town dyed in light red.
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[By train] About 7 minutes on foot from JR Tazawako Line / Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Akita Nairiku Line "Kakunodate Station"
[Car] About 40 minutes by car from Akita Expressway "Omagari IC"
Omagari Fireworks Festival
Daisen City
Last Saturday of August every year
One of the three major fireworks festivals in Japan, the National Fireworks Competition is held on the last Saturday of August every year along the Omono River. First-class pyrotechnicians selected from all over the country aim to win honors such as the Prime Minister's Award and launch highly creative fireworks with novel themes. Also, this is the only place in Japan where you can see fireworks in the daytime that compete with bright colors and shapes that are a little different from the nighttime.
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[By train] About 30 minutes on foot from JR Omagari Station
[Car] About 10 minutes by car from Akita Expressway "Omagari IC"
Namahage Festival
Every year from August 3rd to 6th
Oga City
The Namahage Sedo Festival is a festival held at Shinzan Shrine in Kitaura, Oga City. A winter tourist event that combines the purple lantern festival with the Namahage, a folk performing art. Visitors are fascinated by the powerful and powerful Namahage dancing performed under the purple lanterns that are lit in the precincts of Shinzan Shrine. It is a festival where you can fully feel the charm of the Namahage, starting with the Chinkama Festival and Yunomai, namahage immersion, the reenactment of events, drums, and dances, going down the mountain, and offering rice cakes.
Kamakura Festival
Yokote City
2/15, 2/16, 18:00-21:00 every year
“Yokote Kamakura” has a history of about 450 years. As a small New Year's event to honor the god of water, children go inside and say, "Please enter the Kamakura" and "Ogandetanse" (please pray for the god of water) Amazake We will serve yamochi. During the Yokote Snow Festival, about 100 Kamakura are built in the city.
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Road Park in front of Yokote City Hall, Yokote Park, Haguro-cho samurai residence street, Futaba-Cho Kamakura street
Komachi Festival
Yuzawa City
2nd Sunday of June every year and the day before
The Komachi Festival is a beauty pageant held on the second Sunday of June when peony flowers decorate the area around the glossy vermilion-lacquered hall, and the carved wooden statue of Komachi is displayed. This temple was built in the place where Komachi Ono, who is said to be one of the 3 most beautiful women in the world, was born. It is also the place where the love story between Komachi Ono and Shosho Fukakusa was set, and Shosho Fukakusa is said to have sent peony flowers to Komachi continuously for 99 days.
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15 minutes on foot from JR Yokobori Station / 2 minutes by car from Ogatsu Komachi IC on Yuzawa Yokote Road
Tourist attractions
These are one of popular tourist spots in Akita.
Kakunodate Bukeyashiki
Semboku City
Bukeyashiki Street in the Kakunodate area is famous for the "SAMURAI" residences in old age, but don't miss Tamachi, where the samurai who received a stipend from the lord of the Akita clan, the "Satake", lived. Starting with the samurai residence "Nishinomiya" with five storehouses, buildings such as the "Shinchosha Memorial Museum of Literature" built-in prayer for the founder of Shinchosha, and the Western-style building of the "Ota House" are scattered throughout the area. Along with the autumn foliage, it is a spectacular sight.
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15 minutes by walking from JR Akita Shinkansen Kakunodate Station
NYUTOU ONSEN
Senboku City
Nyuto Onsenkyo is the collective name for the seven hot springs that dot the foot of Mt. Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Seven inns with different tastes have their hot springs, and there are a total of more than 10 types of hot springs, and it is said that visiting the hot springs is effective for all kinds of illnesses.
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[Train] About 45 minutes by bus from JR Tazawako Line "Tazawako Station"
[Car] About 60 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway "Morioka IC"
TAZAWAKO
Lake Tazawa
Lake Tazawa is an almost circular lake with a circumference of about 20 kilometers. With a depth of about 423 meters, it is the deepest lake in Japan. The mystical lake is colored by the legend of Princess Tatsuko, who drank the water of Lake Tazawa, which is said to grant eternal youth and beauty, and became a dragon. Pleasure boats are especially popular, as you can enjoy the feeling of a small boat trip.
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[By train] About 15 minutes by Ugo Kotsu bus from JR Tazawako Line "Tazawako Station", then a short walk from "Tazawakohan" bus stop
[Car] About 70 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway "Morioka IC"
How to get to Akita
At last, I will introduce how to get to Akita from Tokyo by bus, train and airplane.
Remarks: Prices are as of 2022
Express (Aircon) bus
From Shinjuku to Akita City
One-way cost:
By 4,200 yen
Travel time:
about 8 hours 30 minutes to 10 hours
JR (local train)
One-way cost:
By 9,130 yen
Travel Time:
about 14 hours ~
Shinkansen(bullet train)
Akita Shinkansen Komachi
Tokyo to Akita
One-way cost:
11,570-23,090 yen
Time required:
4 hours
Airplane(Domestic flight)
Haneda Airport (HND) to Akita Airport (AXT)
One-way cost:
by 9,200 yen
Flight Time:
60 minutes
International flight
Seoul, South Korea (ICN) to Akita Airport (AXT)
2 hours and 30 minutes
Note: As of 2022, it is suspended due to the influence of COVID-19.
Summary
Akita, located in the Tohoku region of Japan, is not well known in the world or the Philippines at all. It is a prefecture that is less well-known than cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, but it has a unique food culture and history. It is a prefecture with many famous specialties and events.
It is a prefecture in Japan that you should visit.