Travel on the Akita Inland Line and enjoy the food and culture of Akita and Aomori! A very satisfying two-day trip

Akita and Aomori Prefecture 1 night 2 day sample itinerary

10:30 <Click here for trips to Kakunodate>
Tomachi Historical Museum

It takes about 60 minutes from Akita Airport by Airport Liner (reservation required shared taxi). Let's stop here first. Located within the mansion of the "Tatetsu family", a merchant house in Kakunodate that has continued since the Edo period, the hobby tools and daily necessities actually used by the ancestors of the Tatetsu family are open to the public for free inside the storehouse.
This store offers an antique kimono dressing experience (4,000 yen per person) to make your stroll around Little Kyoto Kakunodate even more enjoyable. Kimonos are available for both men and women, so please make a reservation by phone in advance. (Approximately 30 minutes required)

Approximately 5 minutes walk

11:05 Nishinomiya House, Kakunodate, Akita

Before exploring the samurai residences, try the popular local gourmet dish "Okaribayaki." Okaribayaki is a dish made with meat and seasonal vegetables seasoned with Japanese pepper miso, and its origins date back more than 300 years. It is said that the Satake Kita family, who ruled the Kakunodate area at the time, would go out hunting with their retainers. At the time, they would mainly hunt ducks, pheasants, and other birds using falconry. It is said that the ducks and pheasants they caught would be butchered on the spot, dipped in Japanese pepper miso, and grilled before eating, leading to the creation of "Okaribayaki," which has the meaning of "grilled and eaten at the hunting ground." (Approximately 50 minutes required)

Approximately 5 minutes walk

12:00 Kakunodate Samurai Residences Street (Nationally Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings)

In 1620, at the beginning of the Edo period, a large-scale urban plan was implemented in Kakunodate, which flourished as a castle town of the Satake clan. The streets lined with samurai residences are called "Uchimachi" and even today, the characteristics of a samurai town are well preserved, such as the layout of the residences from the end of the Edo period and the layout of the main house, gate, and storehouse.
Along the wide avenue lined with black board fences, there are deep groves of weeping cherry trees and large fir trees, making for a picturesque landscape that can be enjoyed all year round (approximately 10 minutes).

Approximately 5 minutes walk

12:15 Kakunodate Historical Village Aoyagi House

By the way, have you ever held a sword? In this samurai residence, there is a corner where you can actually hold a sword in your hands, and a corner where you can try on a helmet. You can also carry a basket, which is often seen in period dramas with princesses, and you can try on armor (4,500 yen per person, but you must make a reservation in advance). Inside the residence, there is a rest area where you can enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets, as well as a restaurant that serves Inaniwa udon, so you can take your time strolling around.
After enjoying the castle town culture, it's time to board the Akita Inland Line and head to your next destination (travel time: approximately 55 minutes).

Approximately 45 minutes by train

14:50 <Click here for Ani travel>
Utto Onsen Matagi no Yu

It takes about 45 minutes from Kakunodate Station to Ani Matagi Station on the Akita Inland Line. The world of Matagi, surrounded by nature, spreads out before you, completely different from the castle town atmosphere we have seen so far. Matagi are people who have inherited unique beliefs since ancient times and make a living by hunting bears and other animals, and the Ani area of Akita Prefecture is known as the home of Matagi. Within the facility, there is a natural hot spring where Matagi are said to have healed their wounds and fatigue, and there is also a museum where you can learn about the history and culture of Matagi.
After the bath, let's enjoy a memorable dinner with thoughts of Matagi hunters, including a piping hot "bear hotpot" that you rarely get to eat, and "Matagi no Yume", a homemade unrefined sake with the sweetness and mellow taste of rice. (Time required: approx. 120 minutes)

Check in to the accommodation

Stopover spots

1. TOP
2. Tohoku
3. Travel on the Akita Inland Line and enjoy the food and culture of Akita and Aomori! A very satisfying two-day trip
4. Album of "Enjoy the food and culture of Akita and Aomori on the Akita Inland Line! Two very satisfying days"
5. Ando Brewery Main Store

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