Far from the bright neon lights, tall buildings, and crowded city life in Tokyo, Japan, is a place in Japan where you can find zen, tranquility and a lot of natural beauty! Akita, Japan is located in the Akita prefecture in the northwestern region of Tohoku. This past summer of 2018, I got to visit and explore North Japan in the Akita Prefecture and I gathered five places to visit in the Akita Prefecture:
1. Lake Tazawa
Lake Tazawa (田沢湖, Tazawako) is located south of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, and has kept its natural beauty and has not been excessively developed. It is also the deepest lake in all of Japan, with a depth of 423 meters! Sightseeing boats are available from the end of April to the beginning of November and you can travel to the Tatsuko Statue ( The Tatsuko Statue is the legend of this lake) and back. A round trip lasts about 40 minutes and the cost is 1200 yen.
Lake Tazawa: Torii gate of Goza Ishi Shrine
Lake Tazawa
2. Akita Kanto Matsuri Festival (竿燈まつり, "pole lantern festival")
This is a festival that feature's long bamboo poles with lantern which occurs every year between August 3rd to the 6th. The admission is free to the festival. This is one of the three main festivals that are held in the Tohoku region. This summer festival is held to pray for a good harvest of the five grains grown in the region: bean, rice, wheat, foxtail millet and Chinese millet.
3. Akita Museum of Art
This museum is located near Senshu Park (which is a must-see), in the center of Akita : 1-4-2 Nakadori, Akita City, Akita, Japan. It is open all year round and the pricing is free for high school students or under, and for adults, around 310 Yen or 250 Yen for admission. It represents art appreciation and traditional cultural appreciation, so you can see traditional Japanese cultural art here, which is a must-see, enjoy!
4. The Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum
Looking to experience a traditional Samurai house and samurai culture with multiple galleries to see? The Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum is a must-see for those that are interested in Samurai and traditional culture representing Samurai! It is located in Kakunodate which is known as one of the best conserved Samurai houses in Japan. Representing samurai life from the 17th century, it is an experience to check out!
5. Akita's Natural Outdoor's!
For example: Mount Chokai (which is the largest mountain in Akita and it is also an active volcano!) - Akita has many beautiful natural outdoor scenery to check out and experience! I even remember going into a forest in Akita and as I kept walking into the forest, I saw a little water fall area to drink from and/or collect water from! This is my first time experiencing drinking fresh water from a forest so it was quite memorable for me indeed! i definitely recommend Akita's Natural Outdoor's, such as the forest and also you can check out an Onsen while out as well, enjoy Akita!