Top 10 Free Things to do in Akita Prefecture, Tohoku

October 18, 2021 Hector Krause

Akita Prefecture (秋田県, Akita-ken) is a prefecture located in the Tōhoku region of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.
Restaurants in Akita Prefecture

1. Dakigaeri Valley

Tazawako Sotsuda ~ Kakunodatemachi Hirokunai, Semboku 014-0300 Akita Prefecture http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/sightseeing/spot/05_dakigaeri.html
Excellent
42%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 150 reviews

Dakigaeri Valley

Reviewed By MarvinY52

The views are nice and the trail not too difficult for all ages. The full trail can be completed in slightly over an hour (or an hour if you hurry past the photo ops). Something I wish I knew before coming was transport options and could not find an updated one in 2018. There is a Free shuttle bus from Kakunodate station (yes, they do a return leg too) at 4 times a day during 10 oct to 10 nov 2018. Timings in the picture. The visitors centre at the station will be able to advise you. (Come out of the station, its a standalone hut on the right). The visitors centre can also hold your bags for you, but if they run out of capacity, there are always lockers.

2. Hinokinaigawa Kasen Ryokuchi

Kakunodatemachi Ogata, Semboku 014-0347 Akita Prefecture +81 187-54-2700 http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/sightseeing/spot/07_someiyoshino.html
Excellent
49%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 75 reviews

Hinokinaigawa Kasen Ryokuchi

3. Kaneyu

13-8 Yanagimachi, Noshiro 016-0825 Akita Prefecture +81 185-55-3355 [email protected] http://www.kaneyu.jp
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Kaneyu

KANEYU was built as a high class Japanese restaurant in 1937.Quality natural Akita cedar is used lavishly. Each room has a different style and flavor. Beautiful Japanese gardens surround it. The building was registered as National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in October,1998. It was closed in August,2008 and donated to Noshiro City in March,2009. KANEYU opened as a tourist facility in December,2015.You can look around this building.Admission is free. Different kinds of exhibitions, concerts,tea ceremonies and a large or small parties are held.In small rooms,meals are served at noon and in the evening. Recently,tourists from abroad have increased.

4. Our Lady of Akita

1 Soegawa Yuzawadai, Akita 010-0822 Akita Prefecture +81 18-868-2139 http://www.seitaihoshikai.com/
Excellent
78%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Our Lady of Akita

Reviewed By D2229BCtheresas - Singapore, Singapore

For those who wants to take bus to Our Lady of Akita: Just remember to board the bus at the rear door & after that, take the ticket from the machine inside the bus. Before alighting check your fare by matching the number issued on your ticket to the fare information digital board (located above the driver seat). When alighting, deposit ticket along with the fare in the fare box located at the front of the bus. ¥1000 note is accepted for any change if required. Buses leave aprox every 20-30 min from Akita West Entrance Bus Stop 12. #352 Nibetsu Line (Destination: Forest Study Center) #361 Akita Hot Spring Line (Destination: Yomogida Kamicho 蓬田上丁) #353 Nibetsu Line (Destination: Forest Study Center) Bus Route (Journey time aprox 20 min) Akita Station West Entrance Bus stop 12 - SenshuKubotaMachi - MeitokuES - TegataYamazaki - Sumiyoshicho - TegataKyukaMachi - HigashiJHS - TanakIriguchi - Karamiden - Ogiden - AsahiES - ShinToda - AsahikawaDanchi - KojoenIriguhi - KojoenNiChome - OnsenIriguchi - KeidaiKawara - Soekawa - SoekawaKamicho - Yuzawa 湯沢 (alight after freeway flyover) 19 stops One way fare ¥380. It is a 20 min walk uphill from Yuzawa Bus Stop. Just look for the church signboard & follow it. Seitai Hoshikai/Our Lady of Akita Open Hours: Apri-Nov 0900-1130 & 1300-1630 Dec-Mar 1000-1130 & 1300-1630. Wed Afternoon mass in Japanese Main Chapel: Statue of Jesus, Left hall: Wood Statue of St Mary in Tears, Right hall: Statue of St. Joseph. Garden of Mary, Outdoor Station of the Cross is a beautiful place for reflection. Unfortunately too cold to spend outdoor due to heavy snowfall when we visited. Not your typical Catholic church building. Structure is very Japanese and serene. Return take the bus opposite the road that you had earlier alighted. Lookout for a Small hut (bus shelter) with a Pole that has a blue, yellow, red round plate at the top & rectangle bus schedule plates. #361 Akita Hot Spring Line. (Destination: Akita Station) (20 stops & the fare is ¥380). #353 Nibetsu Line (Destination: Akita Station) (20 stops & the fare is ¥380). #210 Soekawa Line (Destination: Akita Station) (27 stop & the fare is ¥460).

5. Seitai Hoshikai

1 Soegawa Yuzawadai, Akita 010-0822 Akita Prefecture +81 18-868-2139 http://www.seitaihoshikai.com/
Excellent
56%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Seitai Hoshikai

Reviewed By Appomattox1865

I went to Akita last May 2019. Took a shinkansen from my hotel in Morioka and arrived at Akita station after a pleasant 2 hour trip. Then a 30 minute bus ride to Yudanaka.Finally another 30 minutes on foot up a secluded mountain road to the Convent of Our Lady of Akita. The nuns don't speak much English but it didn't matter. I was finally able to see the miraculous wooden statue of our Virgin. It was a supreme moment .

6. Akita Kanto Festival

Kyokuhokusakae-machi, Akita 010-0922 Akita Prefecture +81 90-8756-7123 http://www.kantou.gr.jp/index.htm
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 105 reviews

Akita Kanto Festival

The Kanto, or "Pole Lantern", Festival is held from August 3-6. Performers take to the street en masse to show their skill in balancing bamboo "kanto" poles. Each pole, which can be up to 40 feet tall and 90 pounds in weight, has paper lanterns tied to its top-- all with a real, lit candle inside! Entertainers are expert in wielding these, and when the Night Parade takes over the festival's main street, over 250 kanto poles light the area, and a 90-minute show gets underway. Energy is high as drums, flutes, and a crowd chanting "dokkoisho!" accompany the performers as they heft aloft the kanto. Afterwards, guests are welcome to give it a try themselves.

7. Samurai District

Kakunodatemachi, Semboku 014-0325 Akita Prefecture +81 187-54-1114 http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/sightseeing/spot/07_buke.html
Excellent
35%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 543 reviews

Samurai District

This historic neighborhood consists of wide, tree-lined streets with mansions built during the Edo Period, only six of which remain and are open to the public. The area is particularly beautiful in late April, when the cherry trees are in full bloom.

Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States

There are a minimum six houses to visit (of which two are admission), others to be viewed from the exterior free since they are city maintained

8. Tazawa Lake

Tazawakokata, Semboku 014-1203 Akita Prefecture http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/sightseeing/spot/04_tazawako.html
Excellent
28%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
24%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 481 reviews

Tazawa Lake

Reviewed By journata - New York City, United States

cycling around this lake is everything! the perimeter around the lake is remnants from the bubble era, which is not necessarily a bad thing. there's plenty of nostalgia and nature to be experienced while riding through local villages and bike paths through the greenery. the statue is what it is but perfect photo opp for IG bragging. rent a bike when you get off the bus, pick up some drinks and snacks at the shop and stroll around the lake!

9. Michi-no-Eki Akita Port

1-9-1 Tsuchizaki Minatonishi, Akita 011-0945 Akita Prefecture +81 18-857-3381 http://www.selion-akita.com/
Excellent
24%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 155 reviews

Michi-no-Eki Akita Port

10. Senshu Park

Senshukoen, Akita 010-0876 Akita Prefecture +81 18-888-5753 http://www.city.akita.akita.jp/city/ur/pc/sensyukouen/default.htm
Excellent
24%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 387 reviews

Senshu Park

Reviewed By N6532NValanb

Senshu Park is seldom crowded. It is most beautiful when the cherry blossoms are out in late April, autumn, or in winter after a fresh snowfall.

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