A short trip to Yokote City, Akita Prefecture for a peaceful and relaxing stay (2 days, 1 night)

Ai Nishimura

Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.

14:30 The Old Nisshinkan, the oldest Western-style building still standing in Akita Prefecture

The former Nisshinkan building, located in the center of Yokote City, is an old, two-story wooden Western-style building.
The history of this building began when the local Kosaka Inn, anticipating Japan's Westernization during the Meiji period, decided to build a lodging facility exclusively for foreigners. In fact, it was originally used as accommodation for English teachers at the old Yokote Middle School (now Yokote High School), and was later purchased by the sixth English teacher, Smyser, who made it his own home.
While teaching English at school, Smither also preached Christianity, holding meetings at his home and in the surrounding farming villages to spread his faith. He never returned to America during the war, instead deepening his ties with the people of Yokote through his education, evangelism, and everyday life, and he ended his life here.

We headed out to tour the building in the air of Yokote, where winter still lingers. On this day, crocuses were peeking out from the soil, and we could feel the signs of spring quietly approaching the snow country. The exterior was still covered with snow fences, and although there was no distinctive balcony or other features, the building's appearance, which symbolizes the snow country of Yokote, was impressive.

Currently used as a regular residence, the building can be visited by reservation every Wednesday. You can immerse yourself in the historical atmosphere of this Western-style building, with its windows fitted with wavy old plate glass, old kitchen counters, and carved cupboards and chests in the reception room. The building is preserved and managed as a tangible cultural property designated by Akita Prefecture.
The elegant Western-style building, which remains as a place to recall Smither's teachings and will, continues to speak eloquently of Yokote's appearance more than 110 years ago, when a culture of open acceptance of Western culture was thriving.

Former Nisshinkan

16:00 Enjoy Yokote specialties "Kamakura Monaka" and "Hanami Dango" at Kimuraya

On the way to Yokote Castle, in an area that used to be lined with merchant houses in the castle town, there is a shop built in a massive, ink-black storehouse style.
Founded in 1902 (Meiji 35) as a Japanese confectionery shop in Yokote City, it was later destroyed by a major fire in the town and moved to its current location. Learning from the lessons of the fire, the store was built in a fireproof earthen storehouse style, and the stately black plaster architecture from the Meiji period has witnessed Kimuraya's 110-year history. There is also a cafe inside the store, which offers a wide variety of Japanese and Western confectioneries.

He trained at Tsuboya Souhonten and Mita Kimuraya in Hongo, Tokyo, and created a variety of Japanese and Western sweets from the Meiji period, when Western confectionery culture began to take root. The first Yamashita Kyusuke also developed a paper can with aluminum foil on the inside to maintain the quality of the yokan, and generously shared this idea. The "persimmon yokan" that he sold in this paper can was made from dried Yokote persimmons, a local flavor, and won numerous awards, and was also selected as a gift confectionery in the Showa period.
Kamakura Monaka is a monaka with a motif of the kamakura, a traditional Shinto ritual and a seasonal winter feature in Yokote. It is filled with plenty of red bean paste. The grainy red beans, the hidden gyuhi inside, and the fragrant skin make it the perfect combination for a relaxing time with some delicious green tea. The tasteful design of the box packaging is also highly acclaimed.
"Hanami dango," which is only available during the cherry blossom viewing season, is a familiar sweet treat for locals and one of Yokote's specialties. It is a confectionery of flattened dumplings skewered and covered in yokan. Its unique glossy appearance, with the yokan evenly covering the dumplings, shows the skill of the craftsman. Easy to eat with one hand and not too sweet, it is a spring treat that continues to be loved by people of all ages and genders.

After enjoying the sweet Japanese sweets, we strolled around Yokote Castle, Yokote Park, and Ushinuma. Yokote Castle is located on a hilltop and offers a spectacular view of the city. We spent a quiet time looking down at the mock castle tower, Yokote River, and the wide Yokote Basin, all dyed red by the setting sun.

Kimuraya

18:00 Enjoy Yokote gourmet food with a sip of local Akita sake at "Yokote no Wagaya"

Yokotenowagaya is a restaurant that serves creative cuisine made with Akita sake, local flavors, and carefully selected ingredients.
The restaurant is a renovated 100-year-old house located in an area lined with restaurants, about a 10-minute walk from the station. The soft lighting inside the restaurant draws you in, and the friendly atmosphere and warm hospitality will have you stopping in your tracks.
The restaurant boasts carefully prepared and elegantly seasoned dishes in a relaxing atmosphere with beautiful dried flower wall art. There is a counter where you can enjoy your meal while looking at the shelves lined with Akita's fine sake, and a private Japanese-style tatami room where you can spend some quiet time.

The herbs in the "Grilled Octopus and Herb Salad" include "Chrysanthemum", a taste of early spring from Yokote, and its green freshness and bitterness will bring you happiness. The chewy texture of the rare cooked octopus and the soft texture of the herbs will have you coming back for more. The representative Akita gourmet "Iburi-gakko" made in the Yamauchi district of Yokote city is served with cream cheese. The thick-sliced bacon, paired with Asamai Sake Brewery's "Amanoto Junmai Daiginjo Natsuda Fuyuzo", is marinated in sake lees from the same brewery, making for the perfect marriage. The sweetness and richness of the grains further condenses the umami of the bacon. The fried chicken made with salt koji is a popular menu item that is often ordered, with its juicy and rich meat juices that fill the mouth.
The time spent sipping on Yokote sake and eating ingredients produced by discerning producers and seasonal vegetables, was truly "Akita cuisine at its finest." The food was generously packed with local delicacies, and it was a blissful time that satisfied both my heart and stomach.

My house

19:30 Relax in the hot springs in front of Yokote Station at Hotel Plaza Annex Yokote

On this night, we stayed at a Plaza Group hotel in front of Yokote Station.
There is a private hot spring facility called "Yuyu Plaza", three hotels, and a large parking lot. Day trip bathing is also possible, so it is appealing that you can easily stop by during your trip.
Yuyu Plaza is popular for its large public bath, open-air bath, sauna, and waterfall bath. The building is spacious and has plenty of space to relax, so you can relax after a long day of travel. Temperature checks and disinfection are also carried out, and measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are being taken.

Hotel Plaza Annex Yokote has an observation bath and sauna on the 7th floor, as well as a bedrock bathing facility made with Beitou stone from Tamagawa Onsen, a famous hot springs resort in Akita Prefecture. Beitou stone is a mineral that contains radon and is designated as a special natural monument. It is a precious rock whose collection is currently prohibited, and academically it is believed to be effective against illnesses. You will be given detailed instructions on how to bathe in the bedrock bath, so it is a great opportunity to experience the health benefits of the blessings of nature.
There are a variety of rooms available, from business-type rooms to special rooms with Western-style open-air baths (Annex) and Japanese-Western style rooms (Hotel Plaza Geihin, attached to Yuyu Plaza), so you can enjoy a stay filled with hot springs all day long.

Hotel Plaza Annex Yokote Day Spa "Annex 7th Floor Sky Spa Terrace SALA"