Akita Hidden Gems
10 spots
Kakunodate Samurai District — Feudal Streets & Cherry Blossoms
Kakunodate (角館) is known as the 'Little Kyoto of Tohoku,' preserving one of Japan's finest samurai districts from the Ed…
Lake Tazawa — Japan's Deepest Azure Lake
Lake Tazawa (田沢湖) is Japan's deepest lake at 423 meters, located in Akita's mountainous interior. The depth creates an o…
Nyuto Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Springs Village
Nyuto Onsen (乳頭温泉郷) is a cluster of seven secluded hot spring inns deep in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, 50 kilo…
Senshu Park — Kubota Castle Ruins & Cherry Blossoms
Senshu Park (千秋公園) occupies the site of Kubota Castle (久保田城), the Edo-period stronghold of the Satake clan who ruled Aki…
Oga Aquarium GAO — Polar Bears & Sea of Japan Life
Oga Aquarium GAO (男鹿水族館GAO) perches on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan, specializing in cold-water species native t…
Lake Towada — Volcanic Caldera on Akita-Aomori Border
Lake Towada (十和田湖) is a double-caldera lake straddling the Akita-Aomori border, formed by volcanic eruptions 13,000 and…
Oga Peninsula — Dramatic Coastline & Godzilla Rock
Oga Peninsula (男鹿半島) juts 30 kilometers into the Sea of Japan from Akita's western coast, forming a rugged landscape of…
Dakigaeri Gorge — Autumn Leaf Valley & Suspension Bridges
Dakigaeri Gorge (抱返り渓谷) is a 10-kilometer river valley carved by the Tamagawa River, renowned as one of Tohoku's premier…
Hachimantai Plateau — Volcanic Highlands & Dragon's Eye
Hachimantai Plateau (八幡平) is a volcanic highland straddling the Akita-Iwate border, part of Towada-Hachimantai National…
Omoriyama Zoo — Winter Wildlife & Snow Adaptations
Akita City Omoriyama Zoo (秋田市大森山動物園) is one of Japan's few zoos emphasizing cold-climate species and winter adaptations.…