2026 Semboku Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in February)

verno e il Lago della Principessa Drago 🐉 【Legend of the Dragon Princess and the Mysterious Lake】 Here lies Japan's deepest lake - Lake Tazawa💦, guarded by a dragon that was once a young girl. Legend has it that the beautiful maiden Tatsuko-hime prayed to the gods for eternal beauty but was transformed into the dragon protecting the lake🐉. To this day, the Gozanoishi Shrine by the lake still honors this Dragon Princess (📍Address: Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Lake Tazawa). 【Secret Shrine Pilgrimage】 🌟Gozanoishi Shrine: The bright red torii gate stands on the snow-covered lakeshore, sacred and dreamlike❄️ 🌟Kansagu Ukiki Shrine: Another shrine on the opposite lakeside, adjacent to the Dragon Princess Memorial. Its origin is even more magical – it was built to worship a huge floating log that appeared on the lake surface! (📍Address: Semboku City, Akita Prefecture) 【Winter Travel Tips】 ✅Best time to visit: December to February for the most beautiful snowy scenery ✅Transportation: About 15 minutes by bus from Tazawa Lake Station ✅Recommended photo spots: Gozanoishi Shrine + snowy scenery together is stunning📸 ❄️ The red and white shrine contrasts sharply with the pure white snow, truly super dreamy! Remember to dress warmly~

This time, we came here during the perfect season for viewing autumn leaves. Since hotels in Nyuto Onsen are difficult to book and quite expensive, we looked down at Mizusawa Onsen. It's also a hot spring hotel with excellent facilities, but at a much more affordable price. From the moment we entered the hotel, we felt the staff's attentive care. Because it was raining heavily, our luggage was soaked and we were quite embarrassed when checking in 😂. The staff immediately put our shoes in the shoe storage area and even cleaned our suitcases thoroughly and delivered them to our room while we were checking in – I was really surprised 😄. The two female staff members were incredibly kind and friendly, and even though I don't understand Japanese, they tried their best to explain the hotel's facilities to me. The room was large, comfortable, and heated. Dinner was quite unique; you had to ask the staff for white rice 😅😅. The biggest selling point of this hotel is that in addition to separate baths for men and women, there's even a family bath – free! And it's super spacious, with both indoor and outdoor areas, making it perfect for couples or families. They even provide straw hats for rainy days 🤣 – so interesting! Oh, and guests can also enjoy a free bath at the Mizusawa Public Hot Spring Bathhouse down below—it's incredibly convenient with your key! #Akita #MotoyuMizusawaSanso #MizusawaOnsen

🎎 Unique and Classic Picks • Nyuto Onsen Tsurunoyu (Akita Prefecture) Walk through the winter snow, where under the glow of rustic kerosene lamps, the milky white spring water steams warmly surrounded by pure white snow. This is recognized as a representative "hidden hot spring" in Japan. • Manza Onsen Nisshinkan (Gunma Prefecture) A hot spring at an altitude of 1800 meters. Known for having Japan's highest sulfur concentration, it is highly praised for its health benefits. • Tokachigawa Onsen Yumoto Ryugenkaku (Hokkaido) If you long for the vast northern scenery, this will be your perfect choice. • Sukayu Onsen (Aomori Prefecture) The impressive large bath for a thousand people, built from huge cypress wood, is magnificent. As one of Japan’s first national hot spring health resorts, it offers excellent spring quality, affordable prices, and a strong nostalgic atmosphere. • Noboribetsu Onsen (Hokkaido) Sourced from the volcanic wonder "Hell Valley," Noboribetsu boasts a rich variety of spring qualities. In winter. • Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture) Japan’s top hot spring village, ranked first in Japan’s top 100 hot springs for many consecutive years, with the largest spring flow in Japan. • Hakone Onsen (Kanagawa Prefecture) The classic combination of Mount Fuji and hot springs. Convenient transportation from Tokyo makes it an ideal choice for first-time visitors. • Ginzan Onsen (Yamagata Prefecture) The hot spring town is lined with retro wooden buildings full of Taisho era charm. When night falls, gas lamps light up and snowflakes fall, it feels like stepping into the dream world of "Spirited Away." 💡 Practical Tips Plan Early: Popular hot spring inns, especially those with excellent snowy views and "hidden hot springs," are often fully booked, so be sure to reserve early. Transportation Considerations: Many hidden hot springs are located deep in the mountains, and you may need to transfer to a bus or even arrange a pick-up from the station to the inn, so check routes in advance. Respect the Culture: If you encounter "mixed bathing" hot springs, please learn and strictly follow the relevant rules (such as women wearing towels). Choose Spring Quality: Select different spring qualities according to your needs, such as beautifying skin, relieving neuralgia, or eliminating fatigue.

Finally, I visited Tsurunoyu, a place that had been on my bucket list for ages. It’s truly tucked away deep in the mountains of Akita. After taking a bus, transferring, and walking a bit further, I finally arrived. The air, the scenery, and even the flow of time here feel completely different from the city. The hot spring here is a natural milky-white bath. The moment you immerse yourself, it feels as if the tranquility of the mountains envelops you, and all your worries slowly dissolve into the steam. The coolness of the mountain in July makes soaking in the hot spring perfectly comfortable—not stifling at all. It’s so enjoyable that you’ll want to soak over and over again. The rooms are traditional Japanese tatami-style, with views of the forest outside. At night, the lantern-lit pathways look like scenes straight out of a movie. This isn’t one of those flashy or Instagram-worthy hot springs; it’s a place where you can truly slow down and experience the charm of "old Japan." If you’re feeling a bit tired and want to hide away for a while, I highly recommend staying here for a night. Doing nothing at all here feels just right.

♨️ [Akita Kuroyu Onsen] A natural hot spring trip where you can heal your mind and body in a famous hidden hot spring Kuroyu Onsen, quietly located in Akita Prefecture, is a quiet hidden hot spring surrounded by nature. As the name suggests, it is characterized by its blackish water rich in iron, and the healing spring quality is gentle on the skin and warms you up. You can enjoy a relaxing hot spring time in the silence and clear air as if time has stopped. ⸻ 🌿 Experience here ・Reset your tired body and mind by soaking in the brownish black water ・We also recommend walking around the rich nature around. The fresh green leaves in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn are magnificent ・The dishes made with local ingredients are also excellent. There are many hot spring inns where you can taste the seasonal flavors ⸻ 🚗 Access ・About an hour and a half by car from the center of Akita City. Public transportation is limited, so renting a car is recommended. ・There is a lot of snowfall in winter, so be sure to bring your winter gear when visiting. ⸻ 📅 Recommended seasons ・Spring to autumn: The contrast between the hot springs and the fresh greenery and autumn leaves is beautiful. ・Winter: A hot spring in a snowy landscape is a special experience. However, be careful about access. ⸻ 💡 Travel tips ・There are facilities that allow day trips, so you can easily experience the hot springs of Kuroyu Onsen. ・If you are staying overnight, it is recommended to make reservations early. As it is a small hot spring area, the number of rooms is limited. ・There are many tourist spots nearby, so enjoy the nature of Akita along with the hot springs. ⸻ Akita's Kuroyu Onsen is a place where deep history and nature live. It is one of the secret hot springs that you should definitely visit when you want to relieve your fatigue. ⸻ #AkitaTourism #AkitaTrip #KuroyuOnsen #SecretHotSpring #HotSpringTrip #SoloTrip #CoupleTrip #AbsolutelyFreeTrip #DomesticTrip #AkitaOnsen

2025.4.25 *Kakunodate Kakunodate, located in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, is a castle town that flourished during the Edo period, and the samurai residences that remain to this day are so charming that they are called "Little Kyoto of Michinoku".😊 It is also famous as a cherry blossom spot, but it also has seasonal charms such as autumn leaves and winter snow. A popular spot visited by over 2 million people a year✨ This time, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and it was bustling with people🌸 The highlights are the two areas of Samurai Residence Street, where samurai residences and black board walls continue, and Tamachi Samurai Residence Street, where merchant houses and other townscapes continue✨ The area is located within a walking distance of about 2km, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll😊 The cherry blossoms of the nearby Hinokinai River were also in full bloom, and it was the perfect time to see them! ◾️Access About 20 minutes on foot from JR Kakunodate Station #0 yen travel #cherry blossom festival #domestic travel #Kakunodate #Akita #Akita tourism #Akita trip #cherry blossoms

Must-visit attractions in Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefecture, Tohoku: Lake Tazawa is Japan's deepest lake, known for its crystal-clear, vibrant blue waters and picturesque scenery throughout the year. Whether you choose to drive, take the lake bus, enjoy a boat ride, or rent a bicycle for a leisurely exploration, the stunning views around the lake are worth experiencing. ✓ Ukiki Shrine This unique shrine dedicated to driftwood is small yet exquisite, set against the backdrop of the lake's clear blue waters. It's a favorite spot for photographers. Built on a base of pebbles and concrete, supported by elevated wooden beams, the shrine creates an optical illusion of floating on the water when viewed from the road towards the lake, earning it the nickname "Floating Shrine." ✓ Tatsuko Statue On the shores of Lake Tazawa stands a golden statue of a woman known as "Tatsuko Statue," a popular photo spot for social media enthusiasts. The reflection on the lake adds to its charm. According to legend, a girl named Tatsuko wished for eternal beauty but was transformed into a dragon and became the lake's deity. The statue was erected to commemorate this tale. ✓ Gozaishi Shrine One of the well-known attractions along Lake Tazawa's shores, this shrine is dedicated to Tatsuko, the dragon goddess of the lake. It was previously known as "Dragon Shrine." Its highlight is the large vermilion torii gate by the lake, creating a striking contrast with the vibrant blue waters, making it a perfect spot for photography.

Akita, located about 450 km north of Tokyo on the Sea of ​​Japan It is the sixth largest prefecture in Japan, with forests all over the territory and rich natural resources. The unique and excellent terroir has produced high-quality agricultural products, with rice production ranking first in the Tohoku region and sold well throughout Japan. In addition to the abundant agricultural products that make the locals proud, when talking about Akita, many people may also think of the cute-looking "Akita Dog". As the name suggests, the Akita Inu comes from Akita. It is a mountain hunting dog called "Akita Mataki" (pronounced: matagi) (winter hunter), which was bred with local dogs in the Akita area during the 16th century. It was originally provided as a reward for the purpose of boosting the morale of the samurai. Because they were originally distributed in the Odate area in northern Akita, they are called "Odate Dogs". I was lucky enough to meet a super cute Akita dog on the last morning of my trip to Akita. #GlobalTravel

When it comes to the joys of traveling in Japan, the answers are likely to include: local delicacies that can only be tasted there, breathtaking seasonal scenery, and of course, hot springs! Do you know about the 'local hot springs' in Eastern Japan? These are hot springs that are deeply rooted in the local area and have been highly regarded by the locals for a long time. The new Tamagawa Onsen draws its water from the same source as the Tamagawa Onsen. The hot spring here is one of the few in the world that is strongly acidic with hydrochloric acid as its main component, with a pH of about 1.2, which is 10 times more acidic than lemon. You will feel a tingling sensation when you soak in it. You can start by getting your body used to the 50% concentration, and once you are accustomed to it, you can adjust the soaking time yourself and then slowly enjoy the bath you like. It is best not to challenge the 100% concentration source pool right away. If you feel uncomfortable, adjust the frequency and time according to your physical condition, or just get out of the bath immediately. Do not push yourself. ♨ New Tamagawa Onsen Address: Tamagawa, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture Access: Transportation methods differ between summer and winter, please refer to the inn's official website for details.

Hi, here is a travel guide for Tazawako, Semboku, Akita Prefecture: • Transportation: • Self-driving: Tazawako is located in Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Driving is the most flexible way to get to Tazawako, and you can easily drive around the lake to enjoy the scenery. • JR train: You can take the Akita Shinkansen or JR Tazawako Line to "JR Tazawako Station". It takes only 17 minutes from JR Kakunodate Station, 1 hour from Akita Station, and 40 minutes from Morioka Station. • Lake bus: • After arriving at JR Tazawako Station, you can buy a "Lake Bus Pass" for JPY 1,190 per person. The lake bus is the best way to visit Tazawako, and it will stop at the two major attractions, "Tatsuko Statue" and "Gozanoishi Shrine", for visitors to take photos. • Recommended attractions: • Tatsuko Statue: A symbol of the legend of Tazawako, it is a masterpiece by sculptor Professor Bonten Yasutake. The golden and graceful Tatsuko Statue stands on the lakeside. • Gozanoishi Shrine: Dedicated to the legendary Tatsuko, it also has the "Seven-colored Tree" that grows seven kinds of trees from one tree, and the lakeside torii. • Lake cruise: • From April 26 to November 5 every year, you can take a cruise to enjoy Tazawako. Address: 148 Haruyama, Tazawako, Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Business hours: 9:00–16:00. Take a bus from JR Tazawako Station for about 15 minutes, get off at "Tazawako Rest House", and walk for 1 minute. • Hot spring experience: • Tsurunoyu Bekkan Yamanoyado: Located at 1-1 Tazawako Tazawa Sendatsuzawa Yunotai, it is a curved house built with Tazawa's miscellaneous wood, offering indoor and open-air hot springs, all of which are private hot springs, suitable for guests. The hot spring is a sulfur-sodium-calcium-chloride-bicarbonate spring, suitable for treating various skin diseases and promoting health. • Food experience: • You can taste local Akita cuisine, such as water and land dishes, farmhouse pickles, and hot white rice, paired with local sake. • Recommended accommodation: • Katakuri no Hana: Located on the shore of Tazawako, it offers traditional Japanese service. The hot spring is a chloride spring, colorless and odorless, with health benefits for muscle and joint pain, chronic skin diseases, fatigue recovery, and health promotion. I hope these suggestions can help you plan a lake trip!

\7 Recommended Spots in Akita Prefecture/ ⁡ Akita Prefecture is rich in hot springs and nature🍂 Tsuru no Yu in Nyuto Onsenkyo was especially great, with its white water, outdoor bathing, and mixed bathing◎ The mixed bathing is mostly for men, so women who are concerned about it might want to avoid it! It was my first time seeing Namahage, but if I had seen it as a child, it would have been quite traumatic. . I thought. (lol) The streets of the samurai residences were so cool, and there were all kinds of shops lined up, so it was fun◎ But I don't have any photos of the streets, so I only have a photo of the inside of one shop. . I'm sorry🥲 If I go, I'll go in the fall, when the leaves look red🥰 #Domestic travel trip

#2024Travel Review Lake Tazawa, a well-known natural attraction in Akita Prefecture, Japan, is not as big as Lake Towada, but it is the deepest lake in Japan with a water depth of 423.4 meters. The lake surface changes with the light and shadow, sometimes green and sometimes blue. It is quite beautiful and very suitable for therapy. The more short it becomes. Driving from Morioka to Tazawa Lake, the journey is not far and the scenery along the way is beautiful. There is less development around Tazawa Lake and it is more natural. People often ride bicycles around the lake, or float on the water with a stand-up paddle. Either way is a good choice to experience Tazawa Lake. In addition to being a power spot of nature, Lake Tazawa also has a driftwood shrine that prays for love and a statue of Tatsuko in the lake. There is also a poignant love story behind it, which adds a bit of fantasy to Lake Tazawa. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #Northeast Maple Viewing #Tazawa Lake

When mentioning famous attractions in Akita Prefecture, Japan, one must think of Kakunodate's Samurai Street, lined with historic samurai residences and roads full of autumn leaves. If you want to visit one of these houses, the most famous is the Aoyagi House, which covers 3,000 tsubo. The Aoyagi House, a samurai residence with a 400-year history in Mutsu, features a large garden of 3,000 tsubo after entering through the medicine gate. The tour route includes the Kiryuu Family Main House, the Weapon House, Shinmei Water, the Dissection New Book Memorial Hall, the Tea House, the Akita Folk Museum, the Night Cherry Blossom Hermitage, and the Samurai Tool Museum. In addition to viewing the early samurai lifestyle, you can also experience activities such as samurai swords, antique markets, and wearing samurai armor, which is quite interesting. The garden, covering 3,000 tsubo, is planted with many towering cedar and maple trees, turning golden and red in autumn, making it very beautiful. Kakunodate's entire Bukeyashiki Street attracts many tourists. With its old thatched houses and maple street scenes, it has a Kyoto-like atmosphere, hence it is known as the 'Little Kyoto of Mutsu,' making it a great place for photos. The Aoyagi House also has a tea shop and a dining hall, so you can rest in the tea house if you get tired. Overall, it is a very leisurely trip.

On the fourth day of using the JR East 5-day pass, I traveled to Tsurunoyu Onsen, a member of the Japan Secret Hot Spring Association. Located in Nyuto Onsen Village, Tsurunoyu is very famous and reservations are hard to come by. I managed to secure a spot by calling the front desk and asking for available dates. It was truly amazing and definitely ranks in my top three onsen experiences. The women's outdoor bath and the mixed-gender outdoor bath are both spacious, and the milky white water makes mixed bathing comfortable. There's nothing more enjoyable than soaking in a hot spring while snowflakes fall around you. The only downside is that the wind and snow can sometimes be too strong, freezing the towel on your head or making your face sting. At night, the atmosphere is enhanced by candle-lit snow lanterns. Regarding the journey, the JR bus takes you from Sukayu back to Shin-Aomori, then to Morioka, and finally to Tazawako via the Shinkansen. From there, a bus goes to Nyuto Onsen Village, which is the only part of the trip not covered by the pass. You can use PayPay but not Suica. Midway, at a certain station (which the hotel will inform you about), you switch to a bus that takes you to Tsurunoyu. Do not take the bus to the Tsurunoyu entrance station, as it's a 40-minute walk from there to the onsen. No wonder it's considered a secret hot spring; it's quite inaccessible. Dinner features a simple yet hearty yam hot pot. The price for one night with two meals is around 10,000 yen per person, offering great value. The staff are locals, and the elderly gentlemen are very friendly and humorous. On the return trip, they even stopped at a spot with a great view of Lake Tazawa for photos. I would definitely visit this onsen again if I have the chance!

Nestled in the Tohoku region of Akita Prefecture, Nyuto Onsen is a hidden gem known for its legendary hot springs. Among them, the 'Tsurunoyu' Onsen is the most famous, with its milky white waters. Booking a stay here can be challenging, so it's advisable to make reservations 4-6 months in advance. Nyuto Onsen boasts 10 different hot spring sources, each with unique colors such as brown, blue, white, and clear. 'Tsurunoyu' is particularly enchanting in winter when thick snow blankets the area, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. With a history of over 300 years, 'Tsurunoyu' features traditional thatched-roof buildings. In addition to separate outdoor baths for men and women, there is also a mixed-gender outdoor bath. There are nine types of hot springs available, as shown in the last image. The milky white waters leave your skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated. This unique hot spring experience is truly memorable. Hotel Name: Tsurunoyu Bekkan Yama no Yado (10 rooms). Transportation: Take the Shinkansen to JR Tazawako Station, transfer to the 'Nyuto Line' bus for 40 minutes, get off at 'Arupa Kumakosa,' and take the hotel shuttle for 10 minutes to reach your destination. Address: 1-1 Tazawa Senzatazawa Yunodai, Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture. #JapanTravel #HotSprings #Akita

Embark on a unique adventure at Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen, two hidden gems in the Nyuto Onsen area. To reach these secluded hot springs, purchase the Nyuto Onsen Tour Pass, available at local inns, and take the tour bus that conveniently drops you off at these locations. During our visit, we chose Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen for their enchanting mixed-gender baths surrounded by a snowy forest landscape. Upon arrival, we found the place empty, allowing us to capture some beautiful photos. However, as more visitors arrived, photography became impossible. Remember to bring a large towel for changing, as the dressing area is only shielded by a curtain. Embrace the experience with confidence, and remember, if you don't feel awkward, neither will others. We even encountered a fellow bather from Tsurunoyu again at Kaniyu Onsen, highlighting the friendly atmosphere. Overall, this was an extraordinary and highly recommended experience. #HotSpring #JapaneseOnsen #TravelTips

RUto Onsen is a renowned hot spring village in Japan, celebrated for its seven unique hot springs, each offering distinct benefits and experiences. Visitors can enjoy the serene mountain landscape, lush forests, and waterfalls while soaking in the hot springs, making it a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. This article provides a comprehensive guide to experiencing the charm of RUto Onsen, including recommended activities, nearby attractions, and local cuisine. - ♨️ The Seven Hot Springs 1. Tsurunoyu Onsen: The oldest, with a thatched roof, offering a historical ambiance. 2. Kuroyu Onsen: Known for its abundant water supply. 3. Yama no Yakuto: Retains the nostalgic feel of old therapeutic baths. 4. Myou no Yu Onsen: Features an open-air bath with waterfall views. 5. Ganiba Onsen: Ideal for a forest bathing experience. 6. Ookama Onsen: A former schoolhouse, exuding a retro atmosphere. 7. Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen: Offers the most modern facilities. - ♨️ Top 3 Recommended Onsens in Nyuto Onsen Village ▪️ Tsurunoyu Onsen: A representative secret hot spring of Akita, popular for its secluded mountain setting. ▪️ Kuroyu Onsen: The most remote in Nyuto Onsen Village, discovered around 1674, with over 350 years of history. ▪️ Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen: The most modern accommodation in the village, recently renovated for convenience. - 📆 Best Seasons to Visit Nyuto Onsen The best times to visit are autumn and winter. ▪️ Autumn: From mid to late October, the hot spring village is adorned with autumn leaves, offering a quintessentially Japanese scenic view. ▪️ Winter: Experience the luxury of soaking in warm hot springs while surrounded by a snowy landscape, including the unique "snow-viewing bath" experience. - 🎫 Onsen Tour Pass For those planning to visit multiple hot springs, the "Onsen Tour Pass" is recommended. For just 1,800 yen, guests can enjoy day trips to seven inns, a great value. The pass is exclusive to guests of the seven inns and includes shuttle bus service around Nyuto Onsen Village. - 🍝 Popular Local Cuisine 1. Sengan Toge Chaya Tazawako Main Store: Famous for its "sweet oden." 2. Shokujidokoro Iori: Popular dishes include salt-grilled rockfish and yam pot. 3. Soba Goro Tazawako Station Front: A small soba noodle shop with only 20 seats. - 📸 Recommended Nearby Attractions Tazawako, Dakigaeri Gorge, Kansagu (Ukiki Shrine) #NyutoOnsen #NyutoOnsenVillage #JapanHiddenTravel #JapanOnsenTravel #JapanOnsenInns

A drive-in restaurant [Tazawako Kyoei Palace] built on Japan's deepest cobalt blue lake, Lake Tazawa. You can meet big, round Akita dogs❤️ Just watching them sleep is cute♪ The Akita Sankei are also kept here, and one that caught my eye was the natural monument "Koeyoshidori"✨ It is said that they can sing gracefully and fluently for about 15 seconds at a time. I waited to hear their low, majestic voice, but they were in a bad mood and didn't chirp😂 In the restaurant, you can eat a limited number of chewy fresh Inaniwa udon noodles, and you can watch a demonstration of Inaniwa udon making in the souvenir corner. Only in Akita can you see the manufacturing process of Inaniwa udon noodles being expertly stretched♪ The parking lot is large and there are toilets for groups🚗 📍Address: 148 Tazawa Haruyama, Tazawako, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Restaurant opens from 11am #LakeTazawa #Akita #AkitaTrip #AkitaDrive #0yenTripNovember

[Coffee House Mizuumi] Akita specialties come together✨Kiritanpo + Inaniwa udon⭐️ The noodles are shiny and chewy, and the hot soup is a delight for your cold body. It's right in front of the station, so it's easy to stop by, and there's a souvenir shop on the premises where you can buy dried Inaniwa udon noodles. Personally, I recommend the "Inaniwa Somen" leftover noodles, which are a good deal and delicious💡 Tazawako Station isn't that big, and it has the image of a slightly rural station, but I was surprised to see a Shinkansen train casually parked on the platform that was within reach😊 In addition to table seating, the restaurant also has tatami seating. 💰Price per person: Kiritanpo Inaniwa Udon 1,050 yen 📍Location: Genzaemonno, Ihonai, Lake Tazawa, Senboku, Akita 🕰️Opening hours: 11:00-17:00 Closed on Wednesdays #LakeTazawa #LakeTazawaStation #Akita #AkitaTrip #0YenTripNovember

#郊遊 #100 Kinds of Traveling Ways I traveled to Senboku and Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture during my free trip to Tohoku, Japan. I found that the locals brought their families to #郊遊 點 #抱返川谷 on weekends. The valley trails along the mountains and rivers have phytoncides and forest bathing, as well as suspension bridges and waterfalls, and shrines to visit. It is very suitable for a walk. From early October to early November, it is the autumn leaf season in the Kakufu Valley. During the event, there are shuttle bus services from Kakunodate Station and Tazawako Station, as well as valley walks, performances, vendors, etc. This time it happened to be the end of the autumn leaf season, and we could still feel a large number of local people coming to the Baofan Valley for an outing. The Baofan Valley gave me the feeling that it was a bit like the Shakadang Sermon in Taroko. The deep blue stream cuts through the steep cliffs on both sides to form strange rocks, which is a very special natural landscape. It passes by the Miko Stone, Baofan Shrine, the God's Rock Bridge, the Tunnel Cave, the Vow Bridge, and the Looking Back Tong. The entire journey is 1.5 kilometers and the round trip takes about 1 hour, which is quite approachable. #JapanTohokuFreeTravel #Kakunodate #BaofanKeiku #Outing #100TravelWays

#GINKGO #100 Ways to Travel In addition to red leaves in autumn in Northeast Japan, yellow leaves are also indispensable #gingko. During this free trip to Northeast Japan, I visited several scenic spots where ginkgos are in full bloom. I share them as follows: #Kakunodate is known as Oku's Little Kyoto, especially the street in the samurai house. The maple leaves and ginkgo trees bloom at the same time, dyeing the entire thatched house of the samurai house in a golden red. It is really beautiful! #Morioka Castle Ruins Morioka Castle, located close to the river and located high up, is full of cherry blossoms, maples, and ginkgo trees. With the remains of the city wall as the background, the golden ginkgo trees stand tall and straight, giving it a unique sense of history. # aomori Ginkgo is a street tree in Aomori. Ginkgo trees are planted on both sides of the main road extending to the harbor next to A-Factory, but the intervals are a bit wide. Each blooming ginkgo has a lonely beauty. #中野山 Although it is a well-known maple viewing spot, there are still huge ginkgo trees along the maple viewing platform. Especially at the maple viewing platform, there are whole yellow leaves, overwhelmingly dyeing the entire mountain forest yellow, which is quite healing. #OiraseStream The most popular natural attraction in Northeast Japan, the gurgling stream, the red and yellow colors of autumn, and the sunlight shining through the gaps between the maple leaves and ginkgo trees, are as beautiful as a painting. There are many kinds of trees in Oirase Stream, including red leaves, ginkgo, cedar and other color-changing deciduous trees. Once the seasons change, it is even more beautiful and it is extremely pleasant to walk along it. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #gingko #红叶 #100 ways to travel

This time, I will introduce 6 photogenic spots that I recommend as a resident of Akita! 💁♀️💓 Whether you have been to Akita before or not, use this as a reference for your trip to Akita📍 Travel destination list 1｜Unosaki Beach (Oga City, Akita Prefecture) A beach in Akita Prefecture known as the "Uyuni Salt Flats"📍The sky reflected on the water surface like a mirror is very beautiful🤩 2｜Nyudozaki (Oga City, Akita Prefecture) A cape at the northernmost tip of Oga🌊 There is a beautiful lighthouse that was selected as one of the "50 Best Lighthouses in Japan"! You can also climb this lighthouse. 3｜Gozaishi Shrine (Semboku City, Akita Prefecture) A shrine with a distinctive torii gate facing the surface of Lake Tazawa⛩️The contrast between the red torii gate and the blue of Lake Tazawa is a spectacular sight🧚♀️ 4｜Omoide no Kata Bunko (Semboku City, Akita Prefecture) The nostalgic! You can visit a closed school 🏫 You can actually play table tennis and badminton in the gymnasium! 5｜Akita International University Nakajima Memorial Library (Akita City, Akita Prefecture) One of the most beautiful libraries in Japan 📕. 6｜Masuda Storehouse (Yokote City, Akita Prefecture) Masuda, which flourished as a merchant town, has buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, many of which have "internal organs" covered with sheaths. There are many places where you can see the internal organs, so you can enjoy touring the storehouses 🙆 #besttrip2023 #AkitaTourism #Akita Prefecture #Akita #TohokuTrip #TohokuTrip #Tohoku

After about 20-30 minutes, we arrived at our first stop, Katajiri (Tatsuko Statue). When you get off the bus, the driver will hold up a time sign. The bus will wait here for the next 20 minutes! It's actually quite desolate here. If you miss the bus, you won't even feel like taking a taxi. The walk from the bus stop to the Tatsuko Statue takes about two minutes, passing the Saito Shoten along the way. But we were too busy taking photos to even explore! Walking a little to the left reveals a magnificent view, with a completely unobstructed view. The roof of Ukiki Shrine, with its matching snow and color scheme, looks like a gingerbread house—quite adorable. Next, we reached our highlight: the Tatsuko Statue. Standing out against Lake Tazawa, it stands out with its golden shimmer. It's definitely a must-see.

There are several ways to get to Tazawako by public transportation, and we chose the most convenient Shinkansen. Take the red Akita Shinkansen and you can directly transfer to the Tazawako Lake Tour Bus at the station. The platform at Tazawako Station is even more sunny. It doesn't look like a Shinkansen platform at all. The whole expanse of white snow is really beautiful! It actually takes about 10 minutes to get there from Kakunodate Station. I suggest you come back from a far distance. You can even see the sunset if you plan to go to Tazawako in the afternoon. There are also many tourist information available here. If you need tourist information, you can get a lot of information here!

Many people who travel to Akita will come to the Samurai Residence. Usually, many people will arrange a half-day tour. I highly recommend that you come here early in the morning and have lunch here. I highly recommend that you eat at Sakura-no-Sato. Here you can eat Akita's super delicious Hinai-no-chicken, udon, and rice sticks. The service is also super good and has a Japanese style. It is definitely recommended for lunch in Kakunodate, Akita. You must come and try it.

There are many cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku, Japan, but because of the high latitude, the snow scenery in these places is also very beautiful. This time we took the Shinkansen from Morioka to see the super white snow scenery and rural style along the way. The first stop we took the Shinkansen to Kakunodate, the most important attraction here is the samurai residence. After the epidemic, no one took photos at all. I was so happy to play in the snow and enjoy the snow scenery of the samurai residence in Kakunodate in winter. Let's take you to play here. Kakunodate is not only cherry blossoms, the snow scenery is also super beautiful! And I also saw the cute Akita dog

I went to Tamagawa Onsen in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture. There is an exploration trail where you can get a close look at the source of Tamagawa Onsen. On this exploration trail, you can see the source of 9,000 liters of water per minute, called the Great Fung, and the holes from which sulfur and volcanic gases spew out. Tamagawa Onsen is also the birthplace of bedrock bathing. Many people here enjoy bedrock bathing on a mat. The water is filled with volcanic gas, sulfur, and radiation, but it does not seem to have any effect on the human body. #Domestic travel

[Access] About a 20-minute walk from Kakunodate Station Along the Samurai Residence Street [Points] ~Feel the atmosphere~ It is said that the Kawarada family residence is an architectural style that has been inherited from the Edo period. The front room retains the Shoin-zukuri style that is unique to this region. Large trees such as weeping cherry, fir, katsura, pine, and ginkgo are planted within the residence. It's a good idea to take your time and look around. *Information current as of May 2023. #Tourist Spot